Live Stats/Video Friday and Saturday

The College of Saint Benedict hockey team made some big strides in 2014-15.

The Blazers won seven games, tying for the most in a season since 2008-09, and finished the year 7-13-2 overall.

Saint Benedict also picked up six MIAC wins, which marked the most conference wins in a season in head coach Jen Kranz's first four seasons and the most since 2008. The Blazers went 6-10-2 in MIAC and finished eighth in the league's standings.

The Blazers wrapped up the season with a 5-3 win over St. Thomas – CSB's first win against the Tommies, who were receiving votes in Division III at the time, in at least 10 years.

CSB also had the opportunity to play abroad last season. The Blazers traveled to Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany on a nine-day trip over New Years, and went 2-1 against teams from Italy and Germany.

Kranz is still pushing for more from her team in 2015-16, however, and hoping Saint Benedict can continue to make strides and work its way up in the MIAC standings.
The Blazers kick off 2015-16 Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, when they travel to Fond du Lac, Wis., for a pair of nonconference games against Marian University. CSB is at Concordia Nov. 13-14 and plays at home for the first time on Nov. 21 when Hamline comes to town.

The Blazer offense returns plenty of experience in 2015-16 as 11 of the 13 players who scored at least one goal last season return. Leading the way for CSB on offense this season is junior Elli Marvin, who earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore. She led the team with 67 shots, 12 points, seven goals and tied for the team lead with five assists.

Junior Stephanie Kirk and sophomore Brigette Miller are back after finishing with six goals each. Kirk finished second on the team with 11 points and tied for the team lead with five assists, and Miller finished second on the team with 65 shots and had 10 points and four assists as a first year.

On defense, junior Kacee Medved is back after recording five assists in her sophomore season, and Hannah Esselman returns after finishing with three assists and a goal as a first year. Juniors Maddie Rainey and Katie Cristan also return and look to help keep opponents out of scoring position this season.

The Blazers lost goalie Jenna Traut – a three-time All-MIAC Honorable Mention selection – to graduation, but return senior Dory Johnson and sophomore Veronica Sinell. First year Angel Hillstrom is also in the mix for time in the net right away as a first year. Johnson made 38 saves in two games as a junior in 2014-15.

Joining CSB's returners this season are eight first years looking to jump into the mix for playing time right away in 2015-16. With plenty of experience returning and incoming talent, Kranz is hoping the Blazers can continue to make strides and make their way up in the MIAC standings.