Junior Carolyn Draayer produced the game-winner on Saturday night.
Northfield, Minn. – For the second straight night, the Gustavus Adolphus women’s hockey team came through in the third period to defeat St. Olaf College 2-0 on Saturday night at the Northfield Ice Arena. The Gusties scored both goals in the final frame to complete the sweep. With the win, Gustavus improves to 7-1-1 overall and 6-0-0 in the MIAC, while St. Olaf drops to 2-8-0 overall and 2-4-0 in league play.
A scoreless first period saw the Gusties hold a 17-4 shot advantage. Gustavus also had two power play opportunities that resulted in three shots, while St. Olaf could not get a single shot off on its only power play chance of the first period.
The second period followed much the same pattern, with the Gusties holding a shot advantage of 16-5. Gustavus again put three shots on net in two power play chances compared to one shot for the Oles on their one power play.
Gustavus did its damage in the final period. At the 8:19 mark, Carolyn Draayer (Jr., Deephaven, Minn.) broke the scoreless tie with her third goal of the season. Her goal would prove to be game-winner in the shutout. Draayer was assisted by Riley Viner (Fy., South St. Paul, Minn.) and Maddie Bergh (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) on the play.
Nearly four minutes later, Melissa Doyle (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) added an insurance goal to extend the Gustavus lead to 2-0. Doyle’s third goal of the weekend and fifth of the season was assisted Allison Eder-Zdechlik (So., Stillwater, Minn.) and Amanda Cartony (Sr., Stillwater, Minn.).
The Gusties again held the shot advantage in the third period by the count of 14-9. The Gustie women held a shot advantage of 47-18 for the game. Gustavus had one more power play opportunity in the final frame, which yielded two shots. For the game, the Gusties were held scoreless on their five chances with a skater advantage. St. Olaf was also held scoreless on its two power play chances in the contest.
Gustavus goaltender Lindsey Hibbard (So., Princeton, Minn.) earned the win in an 18-save effort to improve to 2-1-0 on the year. It was Hibbard’s second shutout of the season. St. Olaf goaltender Cassie Alexander was given the loss to fall to 1-4-0 on the year.
Gustavus will be back in action again next Wednesday, Dec. 11th when it travels to River Falls, Wis., to take on UW-River Falls. That opening face off is set for 7:00 p.m.