The #2 seed Wildcat hockey team scored early and often while holding off a late surge to claim a 4-3 semifinal win over #3 St. Thomas in the MIAC Playoffs Thursday night. St. Kate’s will now travel to play #1 Gustavus on Saturday, March 6th at 2 p.m.
St. Kate’s dominated the first period, as Kelsey Abrahamson put the Wildcats on the scoreboard just 53 seconds into the game, scoring on a long pass from Michaela Michaelson. Later in the period Abrahamson teamed up for another goal when she and Rachael Gasperetti fed Ashley Tilton who slipped in the puck at 8:27 to take a 2-0 lead into the second period.
Michaelson gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead on a power play in the second period when she took a pass from Megan Lange down the right side of the ice, putting a slapshot in the top left corner of the goal. St. Thomas scored a goal of their own at 13:30, but the Wildcats responded just over a minute later when Ashley Grell scored a goal from Tilton and Aryn Ball to take a 4-1 advantage into the second intermission.
The Tommies stepped up the offensive pressure in the third period, putting in a goal at 6:19. Later, at 13:22, St. Thomas scored again to narrow the score to 4-3. As the Tommies kept the pressure on the Wildcats, goaltender Mel Gerten stepped up, making key saves in the closing minutes to guarantee a trip to the MIAC Championship game.
Coach Brad Marshall noted, “Both goalies were solid, stopping break-a-ways and two-on-ones. I think Mel [Gerten] did a great job and was our top player tonight. We’re excited to be going to the rink tomorrow.”
Gerten made 30 saves on the night. St. Kate’s made their shots count, as they were out-shot 20-33 on the game, and 4-11 in the third period. “It was an exciting yet stressful finish,” Coach Marshall said, “Hats off to St. Thomas for not quitting.”
St. Kate’s now plays the top seed Gustavus, who defeated #5 St. Olaf 5-0 Thursday night. The game will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday in St. Peter. The Wildcats split the season series with the Gusties, taking a 2-1 win in St. Peter and falling 1-3 at Ridder Arena. St. Kate’s record on the road is an impressive 10-1-1, and is now 18-4-2 on the season, 13-3-2 in the MIAC.
The winner of Saturday’s MIAC Championship game wins an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Box Score