MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – Despite a hat trick performance by Kaitlyn Klein (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) Saturday afternoon, the Gustavus women’s hockey team faltered early in the third period and lost 5-4 at St. Thomas in a top-10 matchup. The No. 4 Gusties drop to 10-2-2 overall and 5-2-1 in the MIAC, while the No. 8 Tommies improve to 9-3-3 overall and 5-1-2 in the league.
After a scoreless draw last night in St. Peter, the Tommies were able to score a pair of goals in the first period for the early lead. Gustavus changed back in the second with three goals to gain the lead. Diana Draayer (Sr., Deephaven, Minn.) scored the first goal at the 7:02 mark, assisted by Erica Power (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.). Eight minutes later Klein scored her first goal of the game unassisted, and with just 10 seconds remaining in the period, Klein netted the go-ahead goal with the help of Power.
St. Thomas quickly regained the lead in the third period with a trio of goals at the 1:12, 3:10, and 5:22 marks for a 5-3 advantage. Klein completed the hat trick with 7:35 remaining in regulation as Power recorded her third assist of the game. The three goals by Klein and three assists from Power were both career firsts. Klein now has a team-leading 15 goals this season, which ranks second in the MIAC, while Power has a team-high 13 assists, ranking third in the league.
Gustavus pulled goaltender Amanda DiNella (Jr., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) with 33 seconds remaining, but was unable to net the equalizer. St. Thomas edged the Gusties 29-28 in shots as DiNella took the loss after making 24 saves. Gustavus went 0-1 on the power play and was not penalized once for the first time in over two years.
Gustavus hosts UW-Superior at 7 p.m. Tuesday to complete a series that started on Oct. 28. The Gusties won the first game 4-3 in overtime.