ST. PAUL, MINN. – The St. Catherine University has used speed, flow and creativity on offensive and a stingy defense to win games all season long. In Friday evening's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) contest against Bethel University, the Wildcats put all of that on display with one of their best offensive and defensive games of the season.  In the end, though, the Royals speed was too much for the Wildcats, as a breakaway goal in the second period gave the visitors the 2-1 victory.

The ending to the first period was very "Miracle"-esc. Bethel took an early 1-0 lead in the period when Emma Johnson's slapshot deflected off Kristen Pechacek's (Park Falls, Wis. / Chequamegon) pad into the back of the net. With only 17 seconds left in the period, it looked like the Royals were going to add to their lead. The Bethel forwards peppered Pechacek with shots, and the senior goalie made a spectacular glove save with 10 seconds remaining in the period.

After Pechacek's save, the puck found itself at the feet of Karly Nelson (East Grand Forks, Minn. / East Grand Forks). The senior defender brought the puck over center ice, deep into Royal territory. With five seconds remaining, she passed it off to Emilee Anderson (Chanhassen, Minn. / Chanhassen) who buried the puck in the back of the net, evening the score at 1-1 just as time expired.

St. Kate's had ample opportunities to take a definitive lead in the second period. Five minutes in, Nelson found Brede Postier (Byron, Minn. / Dodge County) wide open in front of the net, but Bethel goalie Maggie Starka made a phenomenal save. However, the Wildcats weren't done with their assault, as they were awarded their second power play opportunity of the game when the Royals Bri Stafne was called for tripping. Just seconds into the power play, Tori Thompson (Rochester, Minn. / John Marshall) nearly gave St. Kate's the lead with a monster slap shot from the top of the ice. Somehow, Starka made the save, preserving the 1-1 tie.

Sadly, Bethel didn't waste its first scoring opportunity. Though the Royals were down a skater, Briita Nelson managed to strip a Wildcat of the puck and skated up the ice for a one-on-one with Pechacek. The senior, who had been golden the rest of the period, couldn't stop Nelson's breakaway shot, which, unfortunately resulted in a 2-1 Bethel lead at the end of the second period.

St. Kate's generated even more offensive opportunities in the third period but was never able to score the equalizer. However, it didn't help that the Wildcats were called for three penalties in the final period of play, while the Royals managed to stay out of the penalty box despite gritty play on both ends of the ice. Still, St. Kate's showed heart and tenacity as it continued to battle for a goal. Both Laken and Lexi Muller (Inver Grove Heights, Minn. / Simley) had breakaway chances late in regulation, and Laken just missed scoring her eighth goal of the season in the final two minutes.

When the elder Muller's shot didn't go through, head coach Brad Marshall called a time out and designed a play for the final minute of play. However, the Wildcats were unable to execute the play, as the team couldn't get the puck past the neutral zone and Pechacek couldn't get off the ice. As the final seconds wound down, it was clear St. Kate's wouldn't get off a shot, resulting in the 2-1 final score.

Pechacek had another solid game in net for the Wildcats. The senior face 38 shots and made 36 saves in 60 minutes of play and also registered an assist on Anderson's goal.
With the loss, St. Kate's overall record 6-17-1 and the team is 5-11-1 in MIAC play. The loss also eliminated the Wildcats from playoff contention.

St. Kate's will return to the ice on Saturday for its final game of the regular season. Puck drop is at 3 p.m. at the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota.