Despite outshooting and at times outplaying their opponent Friday night, the College of Saint Benedict (7-8-4, 5-8-4 MIAC) couldn't come away with the win as they lose 4-1 to Saint Mary's in Winona, MN. With the loss coming on the heels of Saint Catherine's overtime win against playoff bound Concordia, the Blazers slid out of the fifth and final playoff spot with just one game remaining in the season. Coming into the weekend series, Saint Benedict controlled their own destiny guaranteeing a spot in the playoffs if they were able to manage a sweep of the Cardinals. Now in addition to a must win game tomorrow, the team pins their hopes for postseason play on a Concordia win and a Saint Olaf tie or loss.

The loss was especially hard to swallow given the way the Blazers played. Outshooting Saint Mary's 32-19 and winning the faceoff margin 24-21, Saint Benedict had chances but just was unable to sneak anything by the fantastic play of Cardinals first-year goalie Madeline Lenze. Head coach Pat Michaud called her the difference maker in another great game in a very competitive MIAC league.

Digging themselves into an early 2-0 hole by the end of the first period, Saint Benedict crawled back in the second thanks to a shorthanded unassisted goal by first-year forward Amie Ernst (North Mankato, MN, Mankato Loyola); her ninth on the year.  That was as close as the Blazers got however as Saint Mary's pulled ahead 3-2 early in the third before putting the game away with an empty net goal in the last minute.

“It's a disappointment and hard to take but we learned we have to get off to a quicker start,” Michaud said. “In playoff hockey the margin for error is very small and I think we found that out tonight.”

Sophomore goalie Abbie Helminen (Brighton, MI, Brighton (Belle Tire)) started in goal for the Blazers, compiling 15 saves while playing just under 58 minutes for the team.

Sophomore forward Holly Reinking (Maple Grove, MN, Elk River) lead the team with five shots on goal. Two other Blazers compiled 4 shots on goal respectively.

The Blazers entire season comes down to tomorrow's 2 p.m. series finale in Winona, MN. Both the Blazers and the Cardinals, with outside help, still have a chance at sneaking into the fifth and final playoff spot. 

Box Score