Huskies and Mavericks split

The SCSU women’s hockey team split last weekend’s series against the Minnesota State Mavericks.

On Friday, the Huskies defeated the Mavericks 6-1 at the National Hockey Center.

Captain Felicia Nelson tallied five points in the game and was only one point shy of tying the school record for most points scored in a single game.

However, on Sunday afternoon, the Mavericks rallied back from Friday’s game, and shutout SCSU 4-0 at the All-Seasons Arena in Mankato, Minnesota.

With a total of two points out of the weekend’s series, SCSU now moves into fourth place in the WCHA.

Friday

SCSU dominated over WCHA rivals Minnesota State Mankato Friday afternoon at the National Hockey Center, defeating the Mavericks 6-1.

The Huskies took a quick lead when SCSU Captain Felicia Nelson fired the puck into the back of Minnesota State-Mankato’s net a mere twenty-five seconds into the start of the game.

Lisa Martinson and Alex Nelson each tabbed assists on the play.

“Our team usually struggles with getting off to a good start. Usually the other team scores on us first, so it is nice to get on the board early; we have not done that much all year,” Nelson said.

Ashley Young responded with the Mavericks’ only goal of the game nine minutes later at 9:55 to tie the score at one goal apiece.

However, Holly Roberts was able to regain the lead for the Huskies at 12:50 with her first goal of the game. Felicia Nelson tallied the lone assist for the goal.

As the first period dwindled down to the end, three penalties were dished out for slashing. Two went to Minnesota State’s Kala Buganski and Kathleen Rosso.

SCSU’s Holly Roberts took the only Husky penalty on the call, putting St. Cloud on the power play at the start of the second period.

Caitlin Hogan capitalized on the power play opportunity with a goal at 1:04 into the period. Meaghan Pezon and Felicia Nelson assisted on the play.

Minnesota State’s Holly Snyder was called for body checking at 3:55, giving the Huskies yet another power play opportunity. Thirty-six seconds later, the Mavericks were called for another penalty, putting Lauren Smith in the box for tripping.

This allowed SCSU to go on a five on three power play for a minute and twenty-four seconds.

Holly Roberts sent the puck flying past MNSU’s Alli Altmann to score her second goal of the game, bringing the score 4-1. Felicia Nelson tallied her third assist and fourth point of the game. Caitlin Hogan also picked up an assist on the play.

SCSU continued the scoring spree when Kelly Meierhofer scored at 13:37 in the second period.

Both Alex and Felicia Nelson picked up assists. Felicia Nelson’s fourth assist gave her a total of five points for the game, coming one point shy of tying the school record for most points scored in a game which was six points, achieved by Roxanne Stang on Jan. 9, 2004.

Near the end of the second period, the Mavericks’ head coach, Eric Means, made the decision to pull starting goalie Alli Altmann and send in Paige Thunder for the remainder of the game.

The second period ended with the Huskies leading 5-1.

14:20 into the third period, Meaghan Pezon solidified the win with the Huskies’ sixth goal of the game. Sophomore Brittany Toor picked up the single assist on the goal.

 “It was a big win because we are always going back and forth with Mankato. It is nice to get the first game on them. We really took them to it today,” Nelson said.

Saturday

The Mavericks came back with a vengeance Sunday afternoon at the All-Seasons Arena in Mankato, Minnesota, shutting out the Huskies 4-0.

Kala Buganski opened up scoring for the Mavericks at 9:30 in the first period on a break-away, short-handed goal.

The first period ended with the Mavericks leading 1-0 with each team having seven shots on goal.

Ariel Mackley scored the second goal for Minnesota State at 9:28. Christina Lee and Emmi Leinonen each tabbed assists on the play.

About six minutes later, Moira O’Connor fired another Maverick goal past SCSU net minder Ashley Nixon at 15:40.

Minnesota State carried the three to zero lead into the third period.

Emmi Leinonen added to the win at 4:55 in the third period on a power play goal after SCSU’s Danielle Hirsch was sent to the penalty box for checking at 4:24.

Assisting on the Maverick’s goal were Christina Lee and Moira O’Connor.

The game finished with the Mavericks earning the shutout win over the Huskies.

SCSU next takes on the University of Minnesota in a home-and-home series this weekend. Friday’s game will be played at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis at 7:07 pm. Saturday’s game will be played on home ice at the National Hockey Center at 2:07 pm.