Box Score After scoring just one goal in two losses to the University of St. Thomas last weekend, the St. Catherine University hockey team hoped to hit its scoring stride in a two-game series with the College of Saint Benedict. The Wildcats received an all-around team effort for a much needed 3-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) win over the Blazers Friday evening in St. Cloud, Minn. 

"Tonight was a great team effort after getting down 1-0 early in the second period," said Head Coach Brad Marshall. "Everyone seemed to have an above average game for us. There were mistakes, but we recovered well."

After a scoreless first period, the Blazers broke the tie as Aly Hoffman beat Alex Hall (Burnsville, Minn.) at the 5:33 mark. Just under 10 minutes later, though, the Wildcats erupted for two goals within 1:15 to take a 2-1 lead after two periods of play. 

Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn.) scored her second collegiate goal and first of two points on the evening when she beat goalie Dory Johnson at the 15:27 mark to even the game at 1-1.

After starting the season out with six goals in the first half of the season, Bailey Rasmussen (Grand Rapids, Minn.) was long over due for a goal since being shut out since the holiday break. The junior finally found her scoring touch when she buried her seventh of the season on assists from Megan Killmer (Savage, Minn.) and Annie Buttermore (Mahtomedi, Minn.) to give the Wildcats a 2-1 advantage at 16:42. 

In the opening minutes of the third, the Wildcats found an insurance goal from Shelby Salmonsen (Faribault, Minn.) on a pass from Okerstrom. Hall then shutout the Blazers stopping all 11 shots in the third period to help the Wildcats secure the 3-1 win. 

Hall posted 26 saves for her fourth win of the season in goal. With the game-winning goal, Rasmussen continues to lead the Wildcats in points (9) this season while Salmonsen, Buttermore and Killmer are all tied for third on the team with five points each. 

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 5-3-1 in the MIAC with 11 points to remain in fourth in the standings and to stay very much alive in the playoff hunt. The Wildcats will face the Blazers again Saturday for a rematch on home ice. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Drake Arena. 

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