High-powered offense gives women’s hockey Senior Night win

Forward Maddy Fielder prepares for a face off in the third period of a Feb. 10 game against St. Ben’s. Fielder was one of five Tommies to score in the 7-2 win. (Matthew Curry/TommieMedia)

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — St. Thomas forwards Rachel Werdin and Alyssa Wallace tallied three points a piece Friday night at the St. Thomas Ice Arena in a 7-2 Senior Night win over St. Benedict.

The Tommies (14-3-5 overall, 10-1-4 MIAC) extended their unbeaten streak to 13 with the win over the Blazers (2-18-1 overall, 1-13-1 MIAC).

“We did well,” Werdin said following the game. “I think we definitely get (excited) when we’re up a lot; we need to definitely keep our emotions steady.”

The Tommies took a commanding 4-0 lead in the first period. Werdin scored back-to-back goals to put the Tommies on the board 2-0. Forward Kaylee Druk followed suit scoring midway through the period, and a goal from forward Estee Franze’s would give the Tommies what proved to be an insurmountable lead.

“I think it’s definitely special,” Druk said of her goal. “When you especially have a few games left. Each shift, each game everything matters. It’s always important.”

Early in the second period, forward Riley Schneider of St. Ben’s scored two goals that cut the Blazers’ deficit to two. Her first goal came only 15 seconds into the period.

St. Thomas first-year students contributed heavily in the third period, adding three goals. Wallace scored her fifth goal of the season, forward Maddy Fielder scored on a power-play, and Franz scored her fourth goal of the season minutes after to give the Tommies a final lead of 7-2.

“I think that all the underclassmen really got together and rallied for senior night,” defender Erika Bjorkman said.

Following this win, the Tommies will conclude their two-game series against the Blazers Saturday evening in St. Cloud.

“It’s going to be a change of pace, coming into their barn,” Bjorkman said. “But I think that we’ve put on a good show tonight, and with hard work we’ll be able to get the job done.”

Matthew Curry can be reached at curr1523@stthomas.edu