ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey skated to a 3-3 overtime tie with St. Catherine University Friday evening at Don Roberts Ice Rink.
With the second stalemate of the season, Gustavus moves its overall record to 7-6-2 (3-2-2 MIAC).
“I thought our defense played well and our offense created a lot of opportunities,” said Head Coach Mike Carroll. “We let them hang around and it was a game that we certainly played well enough to win but we have to find a way to bear down and hit the back of the net more often.”
The Gusties got off to a strong start as they outshot the Wildcats by a mark of 13-4 in the first period. On the power play at the 8:53 minute mark, Nicole Abraham (Fy., St. Paul, Minn.) slid a pass on the point over to Erin Moes (So., Hastings, Minn.) who one-timed home her first goal of the season and give Gustavus a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
For every Gustie goal, the Wildcats had an answer. Each teams tallied even strength goals in the second period while Gustavus again outshot St. Kate’s, 18-5. Just under five minutes into the second frame, Alex Pederson tied the game up for the Wildcats as she found an opening right outside the crease. Late in the period, the Gusties were finally able to cash in after relentless offensive pressure. Allie Lewis (Sr., Kearney, Neb.) took a nice centering pass from Erica Power (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) with help from Laine Fischer (So., Northfield, Minn.) to give the Gusties a 2-1 lead and tally her second goal of the season.
The Black and Gold again took the lead into the intermission but St. Catherine bounced back and scored the first goal to start the following period. A slapshot from the point from Lexi Muller knotted the game at 2-2 6:31 into the final frame. Six minutes later, the Gusties regained the lead as Power put home a rebound goal on the power play for her second of the season. Allie Stanger (So., Paynesville, Minn.) and Kristen Cash (Fy., Roseville, Minn.) were credited with assists.
St. Kate’s comeback hopes didn’t dampen after giving up the power play goal. They answered around a minute later as Mackenzie Ess floated a shot from outside the blue line that unfortunately snuck through the pads of Amanda DiNella (So., Oakbrooke Terrace, Ill.) to knot the game at 3-3, where it stood for the rest of the third and the overtime periods.
The Gusties outshot the Wildcats, 46-17 while Power added a season-high eight herself. Power also led Gustavus with two points off a goal and an assist.
“We played with some good energy and our speed showed,” Carroll commented. “We know if we keep working hard, we’ll get opportunities. We just have to find a way to stick with it and learn to finish.”
Gustavus settles the series with St. Catherine University tomorrow afternoon as they travel to St. Paul, Minn. Puck drop against the Wildcats is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Drake Arena.