Saint Paul, Minn. – The Saint Scholastica Women's hockey team traveled to the state capital to play the second of a two-game series against the Pipers of Hamline University. Tonight's game was motivated by last night's overtime loss coming from the hands of the Pipers, who secured the victory in the extra period with a final score of 3-2. Today's game saw the Pipers take this game in regulation with a final score of 4-2.
How it Happened
First Period
The first period of play saw both teams get on the score sheet, with the Saints scoring one goal, and the Pipers two. Hamline was the first on the board early in the game. Only three-and-a-half minutes into the period the 0-0 tie was broken by the Pipers. Following the Pipers goal, they went on to bring out shots against the Saints, with two getting blocked, two saved, and three off target.
The second goal came from the Saints to bring the game back to a tie. Nearly nine minutes after the first, Morgan Mitchel was given the puck from Victoria Nelson (Mahtomedi, MN/Mahtomedi HS), and Paige Blattner (Avon, MN/River Lakes HS) and beat both the Hamline defense and goaltender.
Not long after the second goal the Saints found themselves on a power play, but were unable to capitalize on the one-skater advantage. A little over a minute after the power play, the Pipers offense once again found success in the Saints zone and netted another goal, bringing their one-goal lead back with a score of 2-1. The period came to a close soon after the Pipers second goal.
Second Period
The Saints opened the period on a power play for ten seconds. That power play proved to be unsuccessful once more, and the Saints had to reel in to defend. Hamline attempted four shots following the Saints brief power play, with Saints' Sophie Parendo (Proctor, MN/Proctor HS) and Greta Culshaw-Kelin recording a block each.
The Saints found themselves on a penalty kill not long after their power play. While on the kill, the Saints were forced to make some key saves as the Pipers had attempted seven total shots, with two getting blocked by Grece Chapman, and Katie Sandelin (Hermantown, MN/Hermantown HS), and goaltender Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, MN/Grand Rapids HS) stopping four. The eighth and final shot of the Pipers power play beat both the defense and goaltender to bring the Pipers lead to two, with a score of 3-1 just over five minutes into the second period.
The Saints attempted to mount a comeback within the remaining 15 minutes, in bursts of offensive pressure. On one of these bursts the Saints were once again on a power play and saw Lyndi Schubert (Mantorville, MN/Kasson-Mantorville HS) land a shot on net.
The Saints offense struggled in the remaining minutes of the period, with their chances being bolstered by their defense, stopping a total of seven shots before the end of the first 40 minutes. Cole recorded another 6 saves, and Bailey Coole (Duluth, MN/Duluth East HS) registered a block, allowing the period to end only down two goals.
Third Period
The Saints opened the third period with a strong offensive presence. In the first two minutes, they attempted five total shots, with three landing on net, and one getting blocked by the defense. On the Saints sixth shot of this offensive flurry, they managed to net their second goal of the game, with Coole getting the goal off assists from Kendra Royer (Duluth, MN/Duluth Marshall HS) and Sandelin.
Shortly after the Saints goal, the Pipers were once again on a power play. This forced the Saints defense to come up big, stopping five shots, with Suzi Vidmar (Boise, Idaho./Timberline HS) and Parendo recording one block each.
Not long after the first penalty, the Saints were once again booked on a penalty, and the defense shut down the Pipers penalty unit once again. This time on the penalty kill, Cole recorded a total of six saves.
Both teams fought the remainder of the third period out, until the Saints called timeout and chose to pull Cole from net. The Saints were able to hold on for just under a minute with the one-skater advantage, but the Pipers were able to score an empty net goal, sealing the game for the Pipers with a final score of 4-2.
Goaltending
Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, MN/Grand Rapids HS): Played 59:15, faced 33 shots, registered 30 saves, .909 save percentage.
Kendra Nordic: Played 60:00, faced 16 shots, registered 14 saves, .875 save percentage.
What's Next
The Saints (3-7-1, 0-4-1 MIAC) will host the Green Knights (10-2-0) in the first of a two-game home series, the first game will be held on Friday, January 9, puck drop is scheduled for 3 pm.
