MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - A comeback from the UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team fell just short, as the Blugolds tied the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) 2-2 in overtime.
The Tommies challenged the Blugolds from the initial drop of the puck. Helped by power plays, St. Thomas knocked in the first goal of the game at the 5:46 mark and then expanded its lead to two with another successful shot at 12:17.
Though both teams were silent in the second, the Blugolds wasted no time in the third period. Kristin Faber (Sr.-Austin, Minn.), assisted by Toni Simones (Jr.-Rosemount, Minn./South St. Paul), got the Blugolds on the board 3:05 into the third. Just over five minutes later, Dani Kerr (So.-Little Canada, Minn./Roseville) – with help from Christine Dickinson (Sr.-Layton, Utah/Shattuck-St. Mary's) – notched the tying goal and brought Eau Claire back in contention.
The Blugolds' comeback efforts pushed the teams into overtime. In the five minutes, Eau Claire took two shots –the Tommies tried three – in an attempt to snatch the victory, but neither team prevailed. In the end, Eau Claire recorded its second tie of the season.
Eau Claire slightly outshot the Tommies, making 26 shots to St. Thomas's 22. Mara Stormer (So.-Waunakee, Wis.) played between the pipes the entire 65 minute of competition, making 20 saves to pick up the tie. The draw keeps the Blugolds at 8-5-2 on the year.
The Blugolds will have a short break until Jan. 21 and 22, when they host a pair of games against UW-Stevens Point at Hobbs Ice Center. The first game is set to begin at 7 p.m. Friday evening.
