SAINT PETER, Minn. - Friday night marked the first ranked win at home for the Gusties since January 14th, topping No. 2 Augsburg, 2-1, courtesy of two early-period goals in periods two and three.
The first period, while ending 0-0, was everything to be expected for a nationally-ranked matchup, containing end-to-end action for both teams. Just 33 seconds into the game,
Noelle Hemr (So., Blaine, Minn.)'s stick got caught up in the feet of an Auggie, sending Augsburg to an early power-play. While Augsburg had scored 19 percent of the time so far this season on the power-play, they would not score this time, thanks to a blocked shot by
Kylie Ligday (Jr., Lake Elmo, Minn.) and an early save from
Lily Timmons (So., Lake Elmo, Minn.). The Gusties turned the tide after the penalty kill, holding Augsburg shotless for the next 10:08 of game time, while the Gusties piled on with 13 shots, forcing three blocks and 10 saves from Augsburg goalie Marissa Paaske. With 30 seconds left, Augsburg picked up the puck on a breakaway and goaltender Timmons made a glove save to keep the game tied at zero heading into the intermission.
Augsburg came out of the break with some fire, taking three shots in the first three minutes. At the 5:26 mark of the period, Augsburg took their first penalty of the game, sending the Gusties on their first power-play of the night. Coming into the matchup, Augsburg ranked last in the MIAC in penalty-kill percentage and Gustavus ranked fourth in power-play percentage, scoring 24 percent of the time. The Gusties wasted no time at all, scoring just 13 seconds into the period, when
Ellie Groebner (So., Apple Valley, Minn.) found
Kaitlin Roberts (So., Hugo, Minn.) in the high slot, who found the top left corner, over the shoulder of Paaske for the first goal of the game and the first of her career. Gustavus continued to pile on pressure, finishing with 11 shots on goal to Augsburg's seven and went 1-for-2 on the power-play during the period.
The third period was an extension of the pressure sustained in the second frame, taking five shots in the first 2:37 of game time, one of which found the back of the net. A shot taken by
Lily Mortenson (Sr., Champlin, Minn.) was saved by Paaske but then leaked out to the left circle where
Hannah Thompson (Jr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) wound up and fired a slapshot into the bottom right corner to double the lead for the Gusties. With just under three minutes remaining, Augsburg pulled their goalie, creating a player advantage for the last three minutes of the game. Gustavus got into the offensive zone a few times, but could not seal the game with an empty net goal, which Augsburg took and scored with two seconds left to spoil the second straight shutout for Timmons.
Gustavus dominated the Auggies offensively, registering 31 shots to Augsburg's 20 and won 33 of 51 faceoffs to couple with a 50 percent power-play percentage on the night. Roberts and Thompson registered the goals for the Gusties and Thompson led the team in shots as well, taking four shots on goal.
The second game of the doubleheader takes place tomorrow in Minneapolis, set for a 4:00 p.m. puck drop.
