The Wildcats hockey team closed out their first week of play this season with a 5-2 victory over the Lions from Finlandia University at Ridder arena.
St. Kate's got on the board at the 5:56 mark in the first period when Aryn Ball's shot rebounded off the pads of Finlandia's Annika Danielson to a well positioned Jess Kniefel, who stuffed the puck into the back of the net to make it 1-0 Wildcats.
Ten minutes later, the Lions tied the game 1-1. That tie was short-lived. Less than two minutes later freshman Kelsey Abrahamson picked up the first goal of her collegiate career. Abrahamson's unassisted power play goal was part of St. Kate's 16-10 advantage in shots on goal, and allowed the Wildcats to head into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
Despite having the lead, the second period was the sloppiest of the night for the Wildcats. They picked up five penalties and were outshot 14-13. Fortunately goalie Mel Gerten was up to the challenge and turned away 13 of the 14 shots she saw. The final goal for Finlandia came at the 11:58 mark in the second period, tying the game 2-2.
Once again, the Wildcats wasted no time in getting the lead back. Thirteen seconds after Finlandia tied the game, the Lions were assessed a hooking penalty that gave St. Kate's another power play opportunity. Thirty seconds into that power play Suzie Kuehnast scored to give St. Kate's the lead for good. Michaela Michaelson and Katie Lawler picked up their first points of the season as they assisted on Kuehnast's goal.
For Michaelson, that assist was just the beginning of a productive end to the game. Michaelson was the Wildcats leading scorer in 2007-08, and she showed why in the third period. She picked up her first and second goals of the season with goals at the 3:23 and 19:14 marks in the third period. Freshman Cassie Rooney picked up the first points of her collegiate career as she assisted on both if Michaelson's goals.
Gerten, who had 31 saves in the game, turned away all nine of Finlandia's shots in the third period to secure the 5-2 win.
Coach Marshall was happy to get the win, but also saw several areas he hopes the team will continue to improve upon as the season progresses. Marshall noted that “It was a good game for us to get on track for the start of MIAC Play. I was happy with the first and third periods, we just need to put 60 minutes together next weekend.”
That “next weekend” is when St. Kate's opens conference play with a home-and-home series against St. Thomas. Friday November 14, the Wildcats host the Tommies at Ridder Arena starting at 7:05 pm. Before returning to the ice on Saturday at St. Thomas Academy Arena at 2:05 pm.
Complete Box Score
