Saturday afternoon’s game at Don Roberts Ice Rink got off to a slow start, but the Gustavus women’s hockey team put together another impressive defensive performance en route to a 3-0 shutout victory over St. Catherine University. The Gusties, who are ranked No. 5 according to the latest USCHO.com poll, improve to 13-0-1 on the season and 8-0-0 in the MIAC, while the Wildcats fall to 7-5-2 overall and 3-3-2 in conference action.
After a scoreless first period, Mollie Carroll scored what proved to be the game-winner 2:54 into the second. Carroll took the puck from her own blue line and skated all the way around the Wildcats goal for the wrap-around score – her tenth of the season.
With 1:18 left in the second and the Gusties in the power play, Carolyn Draayer fired a centering pass out to Lindsey Hjelm in front of the blue line where the junior defender buried the puck in the upper-left corner of the net. Hjelm’s goal was her sixth of the season she now has 14 points which ranks second in the MIAC for defenseman scoring.
Allie Schwab found the five-hole against St. Kate’s goaltender Haley Morningstar for her nation-leading 15th goal of the season at the 8:54 mark to bring the score to a 3-0 final. Amanda Cartony and Carroll were credited with the assist.
Morningstar defended 34 shots and allowed three goals in a losing effort. Danielle Justice picked up her ninth win after collecting ten saves.
The Gusties limited the Wildcats to five of fewer shots in each period for a total of ten on the day, while they tallied 37 shots on goal. St. Kate’s went 0-for-3 in the player advantage and Gustavus capitalized with one power play goal in three opportunities. The Gusties also won the battle on the dots, taking 38-of-54 faceoffs.
Next up for the Gustie women is an away series up in Moorhead, Minn. next Friday and Saturday. It’ll be a match-up of western powerhouses as the Gusties boast a No. 5 national ranking and the Cobbers are No. 9. Friday’s game will begin at 7:00 p.m.