ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team held a 3-0 lead after two periods and escaped with a one-goal victory at St. Catherine University Saturday afternoon.
Just like last night in St. Peter, the Gusties were strong on the man advantage as they recorded another two power play goals.
Seven minutes into the game, co-captain Allie Lewis (Sr., Kearney, Neb.) scored her third goal of the season to get the Gusties on the board early. Lewis notched her second goal of the series after scoring last night with help from co-captain Erica Power (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) and Rachel Skoglund (Jr., Forest Lake, Minn.).
Two Gustavus power play tallies in the second period proved to be the difference. Around the midway point of the period, Power again set up the goal with help from co-captain Diana Draayer (Jr., Deephaven, Minn.) as Laura Johnson (Jr., Chanhassen, Minn.) put home her second goal of the season, her second power play goal as well.
Nearing the end of the period the Gusties were granted another power play chance. With just three seconds remaining in the second, Kaitlyn Klein (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) buried her fourth power play tally and team-leading seventh goal of the season to give Gustavus a 3-0 cushion heading into the final frame. Kristen Cash (Fy., Roseville, Minn.) and Draayer were credited with the assists.
The Gusties poured on the offensive pressure as they led in shots on goal, 37-5 through two periods of play. However, St. Kate’s came back with a strong push back in the third and led in shots, 12-9. The Wildcats found the back of the net near the end of the period and then added an extra attacker goal with just under three minutes remaining to cut the lead to 3-2. They weren’t able to add another though as Gustie netminder Bailey Jackson (Fy., Chaska Minn.) weathered the storm. Jackson tallied 15 saves to record her third win of the season.
Gustavus matched its shot total of 46, recorded in game one of the series in St. Peter.
The Black and Gold continue conference action next weekend with a series against St. Olaf College. The Gusties travel to Northfield, Minn. Friday evening and host the Oles Saturday afternoon at Don Roberts Ice Rink.