The St. Thomas women’s hockey team kept the first two periods close, but could not outlast the fast-paced offense of Minnesota State-Mankato, falling 2-0 Friday at St. Thomas Ice Arena.
The game marked the second time the Tommies (1-4-0, 0-4-0 WCHA) have been shutout this season, having been held scoreless on Oct. 7 by No. 5 Wisconsin. This was the Mavericks’ first shutout of the season.
“Our level of effort is definitely there,” graduate student forward Anna Solheim said. “As the season goes on, we’ll be more organized and structured and everything, and we’ll keep building on this. I’m excited to play them again.”
The Tommie defense and sophomore goaltender Saskia Maruer held the Mavericks (2-6-0, 2-6-0 WCHA) scoreless for much of the game, blocking 10 pucks and stealing numerous more possessions away from Minnesota State-Mankato from nearly inside the crease.
“She’s incredible,” graduate student forward Gabby Billing said. “Couple of mistakes and bad bounces and a couple of goals went in, but she always plays phenomenal and it’s really nice having a goalie that we can trust behind us.”
In Thursday’s 3-1 loss on the road in Mankato, the Tommies started senior goaltender Alexa Dobchuk, but coach Joel Johnson gave Maurer the start Friday. She saved 32 shots on the net, some of which came on breakaways that Maurer managed to get a stick or a glove on.
“I’m not worried about our goaltending; we’re in great shape there,” Johnson said.
Despite being content with his team’s defensive play, Johnson said his team needs to capitalize on more scoring opportunities.
“As great of chances that we had tonight and that we hope to have in the future, there’s still somebody trying to stop it,” Johnson said. “But, we’ve got to find a way to score, there’s no question about that.”
Johnson’s team sent in just 15 shots on target on the night, much lower than the 34 the Mavericks sent at Maurer.
“We need to find a way to score,” Solheim said. “We just have to find a way to be gritty in front of the net and bury it – couldn’t tonight but we have to moving forward.”
The Mavericks eked in a goal 2:57 into the third period as senior forward Brooke Bryant finally broke the scoring drought.
The Mavericks scored again 1:04 later. This time, senior forward Kelsey King took matters into her own hands, driving the puck down the ice past sophomore defender Maddy Clough and sending it through Maurer’s legs, off the post and in.
Well that escalated quickly 😳@MinnStWHockey scores two goals in a 1:04 span to quickly take hold early in the third. pic.twitter.com/iTRsXtsp5D
— WCHA Hockey (@WCHA_WHockey) October 22, 2022
“When you get momentum on your side, it’s a lot easier to skate; when you’re kind of fighting it, it’s a lot harder,” Johnson said.
The lack of momentum held the Tommies’ offense back for the remainder of the game, but Johnson commended the defensive play of his team.
“I was really pleased with the way we played, and I’m excited about trying to translate that into what it looks like next weekend,” Johnson said.
The Tommies take on St. Cloud State Friday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at St. Thomas Ice Arena.
Cam Kauffman can be reached at kauf8536@stthomas.edu.