The Gustavus women’s hockey team battled the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point to a 2-2 tie in overtime on Tuesday night at Don Roberts Ice Rink on the Gustavus campus. The Pointers held 1-0 and 2-1 leads in the game, but the Gusties battled back to tie the score each time. This is only the third tie in the 18-game history of the series between the Gusties and the Pointers. Gustavus is now 8-1-2 on the season and UW-Stevens Point is now 7-1-3.
The Pointers jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Michelle Sosnowski at 4:24 of the first period. Kellye Nelson was credited with the assist. UW-Stevens Point held the 1-0 lead until late in the first when the Gusties tied the score on a goal by Christine Wicker at the 18:22 mark. Jessie Doig and Kelsey Johnson were credited with assists. The first period ended with the score tied at 1-1. The Gusties out-shot the Pointers 11-7. Both teams were assessed one penalty with the Gusties going 1-for-1 with the advantage and the Pointers going 0-for-1. Danielle Justice made six saves for Gustavus, while d’Andra Phillips made 10 saves for UW-Stevens Point.
The Pointers re-claimed the lead at 11:44 of the second period as Kellye Nelson scored with an assist from Michelle Sosnowski. Much like the first period, UW-Stevens Point maintained its one goal lead for much of the rest of the period, however the Pointers Sarah Phillips was whistled for a double-minor at the 18:08 mark and the Gusties responded with a power play goal by Allie Schwab :47 seconds later to tie the score at 2-2. Kelsey Johnson was credited with the assist. The two teams once again went to the locker room tied, this time with the score at 2-2. UW-Stevens Point out-shot the Gusties 10-8 in the period. The Pointers were whistled for four penalties, while Gustavus was whistled for one.
The Gusties controlled play late in the third period due in large part to a couple of Pointer penalties that gave Gustavus a skater advantage. The Gusties had several very good opportunities on the power play with seven minutes remaining, but Pointer goaltender d’Andra Phillips came up with two big saves to keep the game tied. The Gusties had one last chance on the power play when Dana Carothers was whistled for hooking with four minutes left in regulation. The Pointers, however did a nice job killing the penalty and allowed the Gusties only one shot in the two minutes with the advantage.
Neither team was able to score in the five minute overtime and the result was a 2-2 tie. The Gusties held a bit of an advantage out-shooting the Pointers 5-2, but d’Anna Phillips turned away all five Gustavus shots to allow UW-Stevens Point to hold on for the draw.
The Gusties out-shot the Pointers 35-26 in the contest. Danielle Justice finished 24 saves for Gustavus, while d’Andra Phillips recorded 33 saves for UW-Stevens Point.
UW-Stevens Point was assessed eight penalties for 16 minutes, while Gustavus was whistled for three penalties for six minutes. The Gusties were 2-for-6 on the power play, while the Pointers were 0-for-2.
The Gusties entered the contest ranked #1 in the USCHO.com Division III women’s poll and the Pointers were ranked #7. The two will play again on February 17, when the Gusties travel to UW-Stevens Point.