DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's hockey begins its season on Tuesday when travels to the U.P. of Michigan to take on Finlandia University in a conference matchup.
 
Where:
Houghton County Arena – Hancock, Mich.
 
When:
Tuesday at 7 p.m. (ET)
 
Social Media:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CSSsaints
Instagram: www.instagram.com/csssaints
Facebook: www.facebook.com/css.saints
 
St. Scholastica Saints
Roster | 2014-15 Stats
2014-15 Record: 11-11-4, 8-6-4 NCHA
Northern Collegiate Hockey Association: Standings | Stats
 
Key Returners:
-Abby Sawyer (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna HS) – Forward – Named to NCHA All-Freshmen Team last season … Was second on the team with 12 goals, including three game-winning goals.
-Lindsey Hartfiel (Big Lake, Minn./Buffalo HS) – Goaltender– Looking to find her freshman season form when she was named All-NCHA and All-USCHO … Recorded over 30 saves three times last season
-Sierra Hanowski (Warroad, Minn./Warroad HS) – Forward – Finished second on the team last season with 14 assists and 23 points.
-Nikki Logergren (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Denfeld HS (Northern Stars)) – Forward – Was third on the team with 18 points a season ago … Recorded at least one assist in 11 games.
 
Key Losses:
-Nina Waidacher (Arosa, Switzerland/Wirtschaftschule KV Chur (ZSC Lions/Swiss U18 National)) – Forward – Named NCHA Player of the Year last season … A four-time AHCA All-American.
-Alex Blair (Drake, Saskatchewan/Lanigan Central HS) – Defenseman – A three-time All-NCHA selection and twice-named an AHCA All-American.
-Kaitlin Johnston (Lake Elmo, Minn./Stillwater HS) – Defenseman – All-NCHA selection last season … Recorded 16 points last season, which was tied for second amongst league defensemen.
 
Coach MacMillan: Head Coach Jackie MacMillan leads the Saints into their sixth season as a program … She has guided the Saints to the NCHA postseason four of the program's first five seasons, including a pair of semifinal appearances … MacMillan has won 60 games at CSS and has 91 victories overall in her career.
 
Must Win the Close Ones: Last season the Saints were only 2-6 in games decided by one goal … In the three seasons prior, the Saints had a 16-7 mark in games decided by one goal.
 
Finishing Strong: The Saints finished games strong last season, out-scoring opponents 31-14 in the third period, which was second-best in the league.
 
Did You Know: Sophomore forward Amanda Broman (Mankato, Minn./Mankato East HS) participated on the inaugural CSS women's golf team this fall … Broman won the Northland College Invitational, becoming the first CSS golfer (male/female) to earn medalist honors at an event.
 
New Postseason Format: Only four teams will make the NCHA Slaats Cup Tournament this season, as opposed to six the previous seasons … The tournament will go over two weekends with the semifinal matchup being a two-game series with a mini-game, if necessary … The championship will be single elimination at the highest remaining seed.

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Top 5 Games to Watch
11/14 – vs. St. Norbert
Of the two-game series vs. St. Norbert this weekend, the Saturday game will be a NCHA contest … St. Norbert and the Saints tied for third in the NCHA preseason poll.
11/20 – vs. Adrian
The Bulldogs are the preseason conference favorite and this is the only time they visit Duluth this season
12/8 – at UW-Superior
This will be the only matchup between the bridge rivals this season.
1/15-16 – vs. Lake Forest
The Foresters have made the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons.
2/17 – vs. UW-River Falls
Preseason favorite to win the WIAC and finished third nationally last season.

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NCHA Preseason Poll
1. Adrian 37 points (4 first-place votes)
2. Lake Forest 31 (2)
T3. St. Norbert 23 (1)
T3. St. Scholastica 23
5. Concordia (Wis.) 19
6. Marian 12
7. Finlandia 7

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Upcoming Opponents
Finlandia Lions
2014-15 Record: 0-21-0, 0-18-0 NCHA
 
The Lions went winless last season and Matt Marchel has been named the interim head coach this season … The Lions bring in eight newcomers this season that join only two seniors on the roster … One of those seniors is goaltender Taylor Gustafson, who recorded 500 saves last season … Junior Brock Nelson led the team in scoring last season with four goals and seven points.
 
Series History: CSS leads 12-0-0
 
Last Meeting: The Saints have not allowed a Finlandia goal in the last four meetings and swept the Lions in three games last year by a combined score of 16-0.

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Looking Ahead: The Saints will head down to Illinois for a pair of games against Lake Forest College (Ill.) on November 7 and 8.