Nearing the end of their collegiate careers, four Blazer seniors contributed directly as the College of Saint Benedict (6-7-2, 4-7-2 MIAC) tied Concordia College 3-3 tonight at the MAC in Saint Cloud. Playing in front of a near sell-out crowd and celebrating parents' day, the Blazers were dug out of a two goal hole by senior forwards Ashley Davenport (Inver Grove Heights, MN, Simley), Abby Milton (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove), Patty King (St. Paul, MN, Cretin-Derham Hall), and senior defender Stephanie Kendrick (Osceola, WI, New Richmond).

Quickly finding themselves down 2-0 and caught on their heels, head coach Pat Michaud credits the turnaround to first-year center Jennifer Yelle's (Coon Rapids, MN, Coon Rapids) shift coming late in the first.

“During Jen's shift she went down and just worked and worked, fighting for every puck,” Michaud said. “That entire shift she outworked Concordia and I think the turnaround started with her. The next few shifts we started to see more of the same and began to settle in, gathering our focus for what we were going to do tonight.”

Despite not scoring in the first, the Blazers were able to record two quality chances including a heart stopper by Kendrick. Receiving the puck back in the defensive zone, the veteran player juked a Cobber out of her skates before having her shot saved by Concordia goalie Maddie Haroldson.

Saint Benedict came out firing in the second, recording seven quality scoring chances during a period which saw them outshoot the Cobbers 17-7. Persistence paid off 04:49 into the period however, when Davenport scored assisted by first-year forward Amie Ernst (North Mankato, MN, Mankato Loyola) and Milton who faked out a few Cobbers with a wrap around pass behind the net. Davenport's night was far from over as she was just heating up for a Blazer squad that gained a crucial point with the victory; positioning themselves a step closer in the ultra tight and competitive MIAC race. Dominating in all aspects of the game the rest of the period, the Blazers evened the score 2-2, when Kendrick was able to score near the end of the second period at 18:25. She was assisted on the play by first-year forward Kerri Graske (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater Area).

Entering the third period the team then turned to sophomore standout goalie Abbie Helminen (Brighton, MI, Brighton (Belle Tire)) to lead a Blazer defense that ranks third in the MIAC, having allowed only six goals all season during the third period. Helminen delivered stopping seven of eight Cobber shots on her way to 24 saves for the night.
 
At 12:57 in the third and with Davenport racing alone down the ice, Blazer fans held their breath in hopes for something special to happen and they weren't disappointed. Capitalizing on her second breakaway of the game, Davenport skated up the left side and was able to sneak one past Haroldson, evening the score at 3-3. With momentum seized by the Blazers, the two teams remained tied the rest of the period and the game headed into overtime. 

Despite not getting off any shots, the team stayed with Concordia, preventing a winning goal by showcasing a stifling defense and a shot blocking goalie who took over the game in overtime. Helminen was able to assure the Blazers a tie, deflecting a Cobber shot off the post and into a teammate. Both teams finished the overtime period without scoring any goals and leaving the game tied 3-3.

Practicing special teams all week leading up to the series, the hard work certainly paid off for the Blazers as they were able to hold Concordia to 0-3 on power plays while going 2-5 themselves. The shutout includes holding the Cobbers without a single shot one penalty kill.

The two teams square off against each other tomorrow, at the MAC in Saint Cloud. The puck will drop at 1:45 as the Blazers continue to celebrate parents' weekend.

Box Score