The Gustavus women’s hockey team scored three first period goals on it’s way to a 4-0 win over Saint Benedict Saturday afternoon in St. Peter, Minn. Freshman Lindsey Hjelm scored two of the three first period goals, while assisting on the lone second period goal by Alyssa Saunders, giving her a total of three points on the day. With the win, Gustavus completes the weekend sweep, gaining four points (11 pts), and moving to 8-3-2 overall and 5-2-1 in the MIAC. Saint Benedict drops to 2-11-2 overall and 0-6-2 in the MIAC.
Alyssa Gaulrapp scored the opening goal of the game at 5:23 of the first period on a rebound that bounced up-and-over the pads of goalie Lauren Herzog’s, falling to the ice behind her in the crease, where Gaulrapp was posted for the clean-up goal. The Gusties struck again at the 12:49 mark when Lindsey Hjelm scored her first of two goals on assists from Tam Meuwissen and Kelsey Kennedy, making the score 2-0. Hjelm’s second goal (3-0) came less than one minute later as she was assisted Meuwissen and Meagan Wanecke. Both Meuwissen and Wanacke registered two assists on the day. The first period came to a close with Gustavus holding the shots on goal advantage 18-3.
The Gustavus held a 3-0 lead until Alyssa Saunders scored the game’s final goal, giving Gustavus a 4-0 advantage at 10:43 in the second period. The goal is Saunders first of the season. She was assisted by Wanacke and Hjelm on the goal. Gustavus did well on the penalty kill throughout the game as Saint Ben’s was 0-for-5, and 0-for-3 in the second period. Gustavus out shot Saint Ben’s 19-8 in the second period.
Goaltender Danelle Justice turned away four shots in the third period to preserve the shutout win. Justice is now 5-2-0 on the season with three shutouts. Gustavus finished the game with 51 total shots on goal, while Saint Ben’s registered 15. Blazer Lauren Herzog gave up fours goals while making 47 saves in the game.