1/8 Box Score
1/9 Box Score

Thursday, January 7 arrived with more snow and cold weather in an attempt to delay the College of Saint Benedict (2-7-2, 0-4-2 MIAC) ice hockey team from an extended travel trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Instead, it was the Blazers who stormed Pittsburgh to gain a much needed road win returning to competition after Christmas Break.

Upon their arrival, the Blazers were able to attend the Pittsburgh Penguin/Philadelphia Flyer game at Mellon Arena; where the Blazers themselves would skate two days later.  It was an educational experience to see the defending Stanley Cup Champions on their home ice and generated much excitement about the upcoming game with Chatham University.  While Friday's game at Chatham's home rink Shady Side Academy resulted in a 4-1 loss to the very physical Cougar team, the team used the time off campus to bond as a team, regroup, and gain a very impressive 3-1 victory at Mellon Arena the next day.  The series proved to be a confidence builder for the first-year class, as first-year defender Mara Kohl (Newark, OH, Newark Catholic High School) scored a goal in both games- her first collegiate goals; and first-year Kaley Flynn (West St. Paul, MN, Henry Sibley High School) picked up her first collegiate goal to accompany an assist during Saturday's win.  The Blazers skated strong the entire game and displayed purpose and determination in the wake of Friday's loss.  

The trip also provided opportunity for the team to explore the city of Pittsburgh.  Site seeing expeditions included Pittsburgh University, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum of the Arts, the Andy Warhol Gallery, Heinz History and Sport Museum, the Downtown Strip, and the Southside Works Shopping District. 

Backed by a win and strong performance, the Blazers look to continue their momentum as they travel to Superior, Wisconsin to face the number eight ranked Yellowjackets of Wisconsin-Superior this Friday and Saturday. The puck drops at 4 pm on Friday and 2 pm Saturday.