After being shutout for the first time this season in a scoreless tie against Marian University Saturday afternoon, the St. Catherine University hockey team hoped to regain its offense in 2015 against a UW-Eau Claire squad it defeated 4-1 earlier this season on the road. Despite scoring another power play goal and outshooting the Blugolds 41-33, the Wildcats were never able to build a lead and allowed the Blugolds to score a late-game power play tally of their own in handing the Wildcats a 3-1 non-conference setback Tuesday evening at Drake Arena in St. Paul. 

"We didn't deserve to win that game based on our last 20 minutes of play," said Head Coach Brad Marshall. "With scoring just one goal in the last 125 minutes, something needs to change. We need more, and I expect more from certain people. Hopefully we get that this weekend."

The Wildcats started off the game in control as they outshot the Blugolds early in the first period. However, a costly giveaway allowed Jennifer Thomsen to skate in unassisted and beat Samantha Geissler (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) at the 6:45 mark giving the Wildcat opponent a 1-0 advantage. The Blugolds took that lead into the first break despite being outshot 12-10. 

In the second period, the Wildcats knew that had to get on the board early in order to regain control of the game. They were able to do just that as Annie Buttermore (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) netted a power play goal from the top of the circles beating Blugold goalie paige Turner just 2:51 into the second 20 minutes. The Wildcats continued to pile on the offense as they again outshot the Blugolds 18-6 in the second period. 

The Wildcats' momentum didn't translate over into the final period, though, as they allowed the Blugolds several scoring opportunities and failed to capitalize on several chances of their own including a breakaway from Cassie Thomas (Northfield, Minn./Northfield) that was narrowly nabbed by Turner. Outshot 17-11 in the third period, the Wildcats allowed the Blugolds to hang around just long enough for Andi Husted to score a power play goal from the point off a Sam Knutson faceoff win with just over five minutes remaining. Paige Dale added an empty net goal with just over a minute remaining to seal the Blugolds' second win of the season.

Geissler finished with a season-high 30 saves in goal for the Wildcats. Mallory Ryan (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) and Karly Nelson (East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks) each collected assists on Buttermore's goal. Ryan and Randi Fabsits (Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew) led the Wildcats in shooting with five shots each, while Buttermore, Nelson and Megan Killmer (Savage, Minn./Burnsville) all had four a piece.

The Wildcats hit the road for a weekend non-conference series against Concordia University Wisconsin beginning Friday at 7 p.m. at the Ozaukee Ice Center in Mequon, Wisconsin. Saturday's puck drop is slated for 2 p.m. 

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