Release courtesy of Matt Higgins – Assistant Executive Director of the MIAC
Stats don’t often tell the whole story, and they certainly didn’t in the case of Gustavus junior Amanda Cartony (Stillwater, Minn.) in last week’s 2012-13 MIAC Women’s Hockey Playoffs. The Gustie defender didn’t record a point as her team won a pair of games to capture its 10th-straight MIAC Playoff title, but her play on the blue line was instrumental to the team’s success – especially in Thursday’s dramatic come-from-behind win over Bethel. For her Playoff performance, Cartony was named the MIAC Women’s Hockey Athlete-of-the-Week.
In Thursday’s semifinal, the fourth-seeded Royals held a 2-0 lead over top-seeded Gustavus in the third period, but the Gusties roared back for a 3-2 win. Cartony contributed with her stellar defense, breaking up several Bethel breakaways, and was the difference-maker in the win according to Gustavus Head Coach Mike Carroll. She also played a big role in Saturday’s 4-1 title-game win over Concordia, as the Gustie defense held the Cobbers to just 17 shots and one goal in the championship game. Throughout the Playoffs, Cartony led all Gustavus defenders in minutes played and plus-minus rating (plus-three). This season, Cartony has appeared in 26 games with a tremendous plus-13 rating and eight points (two goals, six assists).
Last week’s two wins helped Gustavus continue its incredible MIAC Playoff run with its 10th-straight tournament title. The Gusties remained unbeaten and improved to 26-0-1 this season while completing the second perfect (18-0) MIAC regular season to claim their ninth-straight league title. Gustavus will try to return to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four, starting with a quarterfinal game against UW-River Falls (21-6-2) Saturday at 2 p.m. on the Gusties’ home ice at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter. The semifinals will be held on March 15 with the championship and third-place games set for March 16.