DE PERE, Wis. – The No. 5-ranked Gustavus women’s hockey team Saturday duplicated its effort from Friday, shutting out St. Norbert 3-0 for the second consecutive game to complete the sweep and improve to 10-1-1.
After a scoreless first period that saw a total of nine shots between both teams, Erica Power (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.) scored what proved to be the game-winner at 8:54 on a power play with the help of Kristen Cash (So., Roseville, Minn.) and Laura Johnson (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn.). The Gusties outshot the Green Knights 12-5 in the second frame and held on to the one-goal advantage at the second intermission.
“We played a sub-par first period,” Head Coach Mike Carroll said. “St. Norbert did a good job of giving us a push. They came out and played much better today on their end. Their goalie made some exception saves, but we kicked it up in the second period.”
At the 11:28 mark of the third period Kaitlyn Klein (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) scored her first of two goals in the game, assisted by Diana Draayer (Sr., Deephaven, Minn.) and Power. Klein then scored her team-leading 12th goal of the season with seven minutes remaining, assisted by Draayer and Cash.
“We were controlling things much better in the third and we did a much better job than when we started the game,” Carroll said.
The Gusties outshot St. Norbert 27-11 and stopped the Green Knights’ lone power play opportunity. Gustavus used a different goalie in each period as Amanda DiNella (Jr. Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.), Bailey Jackson (So., Chaska, Minn.), and Lauren Tremblay (Fy., Hayward, Wis.) each played 20 minutes. Tremblay was credited with her first career win.
“The positive was that we played three goalies again and they all did well,” Carroll said. “Hopefully we’re in a lot better game shape going into conference.”
Gustavus returns to MIAC play next weekend with a home-home series against St. Thomas. Friday’s game in St. Peter begins at 7 p.m., while Saturday’s game in St. Paul begins at 2 p.m.
“We need to improve on the little things,” Carroll said. “Paying attention to detail and working hard on our defensive responsibilities. I think the neutral zone is such a big part of the game and it’s an area we need to continue to work at controlling. If we can do that I think we can have a good second half of the season.”