Article by Sam Roering. Photo by Sam Roering.
Facing the top-scoring offense in the country is no easy task. For St. Cloud State women’s hockey, that’s exactly what they encountered over the weekend when they faced a Wisconsin Badgers team that had averaged 5.73 goals per game heading into the series. The Huskies suffered a 5-2 loss on Saturday, but battled back on Sunday, earning a big point in a hard fought 2-2 tie. As a result, SCSU left LaBahn Arena as the only team to take a point from the Badgers in Madison this season.
The Badgers wasted no time on Saturday, opening the score just 46 seconds into the game as Laney Potter netted her third goal of the season. But St. Cloud didn’t let that rattle them. Less than two minutes later, Emma Gentry sent a shot past Ava McNaughton, tying the game at 1-1. However, Wisconsin regained the lead 26 seconds later when Casey O’Brien scored to make it 2-1.
The Badgers held that lead through the second period, and St. Cloud State soon found themselves in penalty trouble. The Huskies attempted to kill a 5-3 penalty, but Laila Edwards capitalized to give Wisconsin a 3-1 lead. Moments after the second penalty expired, Cassie Hall extended the lead to 4-1.
With eight minutes remaining in the third period, the Huskies were given a power play opportunity and pulled Sanni Ahola for the 6-on-4 advantage. It was Wisconsin who converted with an empty-net goal from Lacey Eden making it 5-1. A late power play goal from Grace Wolfe gave the Huskies something to build on, but they fell 5-2. Ahola had a strong showing, making a season high of 44 saves, her second game of the season with 40+ saves.
Sunday’s game saw a more composed St. Cloud team, better able to handle Wisconsin’s speed and counter it with their own grit. With just three minutes left in the first period, Ally Qualley knocked a puck past Ava McNaughton, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead. However, a penalty soon after allowed Wisconsin to equalize on a power play, with Lacey Eden scoring to tie it at 1-1.
In the second, the Badgers struck again on the power play. Kirsten Simms picked up the goal, giving Wisconsin a 2-1 lead. The Huskies kept up their fight and in the third, a shot from Emma Gentry rebounded to Laura Zimmermann who tied the game at 2-2.
The final 11 minutes of regulation, and the entire five-minute overtime, went scoreless, leaving both teams with a point. However, one more WCHA point was up for grabs in a shootout. After neither team scored in the first round, Simms scored for the Badgers in the second round. The Huskies couldn’t counter, and Wisconsin took the extra point. Freshman Emilia Kyrkkö was stellar in net, stopping 30 of the 32 shots, holding her own against a talented Badgers lineup.
St. Cloud’s Three Stars of the Weekend
★ Emillia Kyrkkö
Kyrkkö was exceptional on Sunday, making 30 saves and holding Wisconsin to just two goals in regulation. Her performance in net was a key factor in the Huskies earning a point.
★★ Sanni Ahola
Ahola had a strong showing in Saturdays loss, stopping 44 shots. She kept the Huskies in the game with a save percentage of 91.8%.
★★★ Emma Gentry
Gentry was involved in every one of the Huskies goals this weekend, recording one goal and three assists. She also won 51.7% of her face offs, helping drive St. Cloud State’s offense.
Where Things Stand
With their tie on Sunday, the Huskies remain in 5th place in the WCHA standings, ten points behind Minnesota Duluth and nine points ahead of Minnesota State. St. Cloud State’s record against conference opponents sits at 7-9-4, while their overall record is 12-9-5.
The point against Wisconsin was significant, as it made St. Cloud the third team this season to take a point from every WCHA team. Only Wisconsin and Ohio State have accomplished the same.
The Huskies remain ranked at #11 in both the USCHO and USA Hockey polls.
Up Next
The Huskies return home this weekend for a home-and-home series against St. Thomas. The teams will meet at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center on Friday at 3 p.m. before heading to St. Thomas for a 2 p.m. puck drop on Saturday.
Earlier this season, the Huskies tied the Tommies in a shootout loss before beating them 3-1 in the second matchup. St. Thomas is coming off a sweep of Minnesota Duluth, making them a team not to be overlook.
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