St. Cloud State played more aggressively in the rematch with Minnesota and showed improvement in nearly every facet of the game. The Huskies played within a goal of the defending national champs for nearly half of the contest, but in the end, the No. 1 Gophers still triumphed by a lopsided 7-1 score.
Though some of the contributors were different for Minnesota (4-0-0, 4-0-0 WCHA), special teams again spelled the difference. The power play started slowly but connected on its final three chances in going 4-for-8 on the night. The penalty kill tallied twice, though it yielded the only goal for St. Cloud (1-3-0, 1-3-0 WCHA) of the weekend on a 5-on-3.
Individually, Lyndsay Wall, Natalie Darwitz and Andrea Nichols each picked up a pair of goals. Bobbi Ross, Krissy Wendell, and Kelly Stephens notched two assists apiece. Twelve of the 18 skaters for Minnesota collected at least a point.
Becky Wacker, playing in her first series of the season, got the Gophers off and running with a backhand that slipped over the line. The goal helped boost her confidence.
“You forget how much faster the game is as compared to practice,” said Wacker, who had missed time due to a knee injury. “You’re a little tentative. It was definitely a lot of a mental battle in the first game. ‘Am I going to be okay?’ I’m going to have the added mental benefit of knowing that I can do this, and I’m not going to fall apart.”
Goaltender Carmen Lizee made some big saves to keep St. Cloud in the game early and earned the praises of Minnesota coach Laura Halldorson.
With Minnesota nursing a two-goal lead in the second period, three penalties in quick succession gave St. Cloud a prolonged two-skater advantage. Captain Tina Ciraulo took advantage by driving the puck past Jody Horak to get her team back within a goal.
Minnesota answered back quickly with a goal from its second power play unit and put the game out of reach when the Huskies hit a penalty binge of their own. The Gophers adjusted to the Huskies penalty kill strategy after a 1-for-5 start.
“They (St. Cloud) definitely watched video and switched their ‘D’ around a little bit of how they were playing me and Darwitz,” Wall said. “They kind of left Krissy’s side wide open. Once we got it moving, that shot was available and we were just taking it.”
The teams combined for 28 minor penalties.
“Some games are going to be like that,” Halldorson said. “They’re going to call more penalties this year because of what the NCAA had said, so we just have to get used to special teams.”
Wacker, echoing the complaints of many other coaches and players across the country, said the abundance of penalties disrupted any sense of flow.
“There really wasn’t any momentum to the game,” Wacker said. “There was a whistle every 30 seconds. It was hard to get into a flow with your line mates. And then we had an injury so we had to change up the line. From the beginning of the game to the end of the game, you never knew if it was going to be 5-on-4, a 3-on-3. It was really hard to get into a flow.”
That injury was to freshman Erica McKenzie, who left the ice in the first period with an undetermined injury after colliding with the pipe and did not return. That was the only cloud of the weekend for Minnesota.
“I don’t have the full report, but she’s going to the doctor,” Halldorson said.
Nichols had a strong game, despite the line alterations.
“Anytime you’re playing with a person almost a year, more than anyone else, you feel more comfortable,” Nichols said of being reunited with Wacker until the McKenzie injury placed them on different lines.
Still, Nichols could see a possible bright side to skating with rookies Liz Palkie and Jenelle Philipczyk: “Being able to play with different people, throughout the year, so that when you have injuries or anything you’re comfortable.”
The loss was the third straight for St. Cloud, but coach Jason Lesteberg thinks his team is headed in the right direction.
“I thought we competed a lot harder, and I’m proud of our kids,” Lesteberg said. “Those kids, their big three, what they do is just gain momentum, and everyone else just feeds off of it. I’ll be glad to see them graduate, or be at the Olympics next year.”
But for the Huskies to do any better in their home opener against WCHA newcomer North Dakota, they will have to overcome some nagging injuries.
“Last year, we got pretty banged up early and struggled, no matter where we played,” Lesteberg said. “There are a couple injuries we’ve got to be aware of going into next weekend. Maybe they can heal up this week. We’re looking forward just to play at home.”
As for the Gophers, their coach likes what she has seen from her team thus far.
“We have the most talent and the most depth this year that we’ve ever had,” Halldorson said. “And it’s fun because, not only are we good on paper, but I think we’ve played well so far, on the ice. And we have fun together. It’s a great group of people. I’m real excited about this season.”
