A tie was good enough for the College of Saint Benedict (6-7-4, 4-7-3 MIAC) tonight as the team moved into fifth place in the MIAC with their 2-2 tie against Hamline University. A Saint Olaf loss coming against Saint Thomas propelled the Blazers into a tie for fifth with the Oles at 12 points respectively. The top five teams in the conference advance to the MIAC playoffs.

Celebrating senior night on their last home game of the season as well as playing against former teammate goalie Amanda Plumm of Hamline, the Blazers had plenty of motivation going into the game but were never able to really get into a rhythm.

“Playing against Plumm definitely fired us up,” said first-year defender Katherine Hansen (Apple Valley, MN, Apple Valley). “We wanted to give her a taste of what Blazer hockey was all about. Unfortunately tonight we just didn't get the breaks needed to win. Tomorrow is a do or die must win game if we want to have any hope of going to the playoffs.” 

Saint Benedict was able to get on the scoreboard first when senior forward Ashley Davenport (Inver Grove Heights, MN, Simley) buried one in the net at 07:34. Assisting on the play was senior forward/defense Stephanie Kendrick (Osceola, WI, New Richmond), off a gorgeous pass that left Davenport with the put away. Hamline was able to answer back with a goal at the end of the first and as the teams headed out for the third period, the game was tied 1-1.

With barely 30 seconds elapsing sophomore center Gretchen Leyendecker (Rochester, MN, Lourdes) put the Blazers up 2-1 when she scored at 00:43. Leyendecker was assisted on the play by first-year forward Katelyn Bounds (Anchorage, AK, Bartlett) and first-year defender Rachel Welz (Oconomowoc, WI, Oconomowoc).

Hamline however roared back and with less than five minutes to play was able to sneak one by sophomore goalie Abbie Helminen (Brighton, MI, Brighton (Belle Tire)). Helminen started her 12 game for the Blazers compiling 27 saves. Both teams remained scoreless in overtime and came away from the game with a point each.

Head coach Pat Michaud didn't hide his frustration with the tie saying, “We squandered chances and two leads and that is inexcusable at this point in the season. You definitely have to give Hamline a lot of credit though, they really played well in the defensive zone and took away the scoring area. We are going to have to come back tomorrow and really work to pull off the win.”

When their series against Hamline finishes off tomorrow at Drake Arena in Saint Paul, the team will likely have a better idea of where they stand in the conference. Just three games, two teams and a couple must win situations separate the Blazers from their first MIAC appearance in seven years.

Box Score