ST. PETER, Minn. – The 2018 NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship could not have started with a more exciting opening round game Friday as Gustavus and UW-Eau Claire played into triple overtime, marking the longest game in NCAA Division III women’s hockey tournament history. Even after being out-shot 60-29, UW-Eau Claire came out on top with a goal 1:02 into the third overtime period, upsetting the host Gusties in a game that lasted four hours.
The Blugolds started the game strong with two goals in the first period. The first came at the 5:04 mark on a power play and the second occurred at the 16:49 mark. But with 30 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Amelia Vosen (So., Anoka, Minn.) put home her first of two goals in the game, assisted by Allie Stanger (Jr., Paynesville, Minn.) and Katy Fuller (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.). After 20 minutes, UW-Eau Claire led 2-1.
The Gusties rolled their momentum into the second period, winning the shot-count 14-6, but neither team could find the back of the net and the score remained 2-1 after 40 minutes. With time dwindling down late in the third period and their season in jeopardy, the Gusties were finally rewarded for their consistent offensive pressure with one minute left on the clock as Vosen scored her second of the game and 11th of the season with the help of Fuller.
Gustavus held a slight edge in shots on goal in the first overtime, 11-9, but a second overtime was forced. Again, the Gusties out-shot the Blugolds 10-5 in the second overtime, but 100 minutes wasn’t enough time to decide a victor and the game was sent to triple overtime for the first time in NCAA Division III women’s hockey tournament history. And after more than 42 minutes without a goal scored, the Blugolds netted the game-winner 62 seconds into the third overtime to complete the upset.
Erin Connelly made 58 saves in goal for the visitors, while Amanda DiNella (Jr., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) stopped 26 shots. A key factor in the outcome of the game was UW-Eau Claire’s penalty kill as it thwarted all eight power play opportunities for the Gusties.
Gustavus finishes its season 20-4-4, while the Blugolds (19-6-4) advance to face Hamline at 7 p.m. Saturday.