A lackluster first period likely cost the College of Saint Benedict (4-4-1 MIAC, 6-4-1 overall) an extra point in the tight MIAC standings as they tied the College of Saint Catherine 1-1 tonight at the MAC in Saint Cloud. The Blazers put played themselves into a hole “both scoreboard wise and emotionally that made it that much harder in the second and third periods,” Head coach Pat Michaud said.
Picking up the game early in the second, the Blazers came out from the locker room on fire inspired by the rousing home crowd cheering on the team all night. Saint Benedict dominated the second period belting 17 shots while recording seven quality scoring chances. Sophomore forward
Gretchen Leyendecker (Rochester, MN, Lourdes) got things started with her diving save to keep the puck in the Wildcats end of the ice. Both Leyendecker and sophomore forward
Holly Reinking (Maple Grove, MN, Elk River) came inches away from scoring as both their shots seem to dangle right in front of the goal before sophomore goalie Mel Gerten saved it for the Wildcats. First-year forward
Kerri Graske (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater Area) and senior forward
Ashley Davenport (Inver Grove Heights, MN, Simley) both had some great feeds in front of the net, but the Blazers were unable to capitalize until 07:39 in the second when junior center
Janae Coauette (Crookston, MN, Crookston) connected for the Blazers on a beautiful goal. Coauette was assisted by first-year defender
Katelyn Bounds (Anchorage, AK, Bartlett) and first-year forward
Andrea Parsons (Buffalo, MN, Buffalo).
The play of the night for the Blazers came late in the third period. With both teams trading shots but unable to score the Blazers drew two penalties setting up a Wildcat five on three advantage. Feeding off sophomore goalie
Abbie Helminen (Brighton, MI, Brighton (Belle Tire)) sprawling saves, the Blazers were able to kill the power play and take the game into overtime. Helminen again came through in the extra minutes twice stopping point blank breakaways. A major reason why the Blazers stayed in the game, Helminen finished with 27 saves.
With another opportunity coming against Saint Catherine's tomorrow, Michaud thinks his team will have to play a more efficient game that the one they played tonight. The two teams will battle at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis and are scheduled to start at 1:05 pm.
Box Score