After sweeping first-place Saint Thomas last weekend, the College of Saint Benedict hockey team has St. Catherine on the docket for this weekend. That sweep of St. Thomas was the first Blazer sweep of the Tommies since 1999-2000.
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The Schedule:
St. Catherine at Blazers, 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 5th, Bernick's Arena, Sartell, Minn.
Blazers at St. Catherine, 2 p.m., Saturday, February 6th, SPA Drake Arena, St. Paul, Minn
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The Records:
CSB: 7-11-1 (5-6-1 MIAC) T-7th MIAC
SCU: 3-12-4 (2-9-1 MIAC) 9th MIAC
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Who to Watch:
CSB:
So. F Brigette Miller | Scored two goals and recorded three assists last weekend, leads the Blazers with 6 assists
Fy. G Angel Hillstrom | Was named MIAC player of the week after recording 85 saves to sweep the No. 4 Tommies last weekend
Jr. F Stephanie Kirk | Scored her first goal of the season on Saturday after returning back to the Blazers from her study abroad in Europe
SCU:
So. G Kristen Pechacek | Leads the MIAC in goals against average (1.48) and save percentage (.958)
Sr. F Ryan Mallory | Leads the Wildcats with four goals, four assists and eight points
Fy. F Laken Muller | Only Wildcat with a positive plus/minus at plus-three
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About the Wildcats:
St. Catherine was winless in MIAC games until last weekend, when it swept the winless St. Olaf Oles. Although their record indicates that they have struggled to beat teams this year, only four of their 12 losses have been by three goals or more. While their offense has struggled all year, their defense is the third-best in the MIAC, allowing only 1.91 goals per game this season.
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The Storyline:
After last weekend the Blazers are now 3-0-1 against nationally ranked. The downside is that means they are 4-11-0 against everybody else. While they have already proven they can play with the MIAC's best, they will need to keep the foot on the throttle against St. Catherine this weekend. The Wildcats are dangerous in that their stout defense is masked by their poor record. The Blazers will need to get past that defense early in both games in order to sweep the Wildcats.
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Last Year:
The Blazers won a game on the road and tied at home last year against the Wildcats. On Friday in St. Paul, the Blazers made quick work of the Wildcats, going up 2-0 in the third period to roll to a 3-1 victory. Elli Marvin, Katie Cristan, Stephanie Kirk all scored goals in the game. On Saturday, the two teams played scoreless hockey through the first two periods, and then swapped goals in the third to arrive at a 1-1 tie. Brigette Miller scored that goal, which was assisted by Hannah Esselman.
