Box Score
STEVENS POINT – In a battle of the top two teams in the West Region, the third-ranked UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team scored early and never relinquished the lead as it defeated No. 4 Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) 3-2 tonight at Ice Hawks Arena.
The Pointers extend their unbeaten streak to 20 games as they stand right now with an overall record of 17-0-2. Gustavus has its 17-game winning streak snapped as its falls to the Pointers for the second time this season to drop its record to 17-2-0.
It didn't take the Pointers too long to get the scoring started as 33 seconds into the contest Kellye Nelson (Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial) (So.-Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial) scored on a 2-on-1 to make it 1-0 Stevens Point. Katy Lankey (Baraboo/Baraboo) (Sr.-Baraboo) and Michelle Sosnowski (Plainfield, IL/Plainfield Central) (Jr.-Plainfield, IL/Central) had the assists. The Pointers had a 10-1 shot advantage in the first period.
In the second period, Stevens Point extended its lead to 2-0 when Nicole Grossmann (Lindstrom, MN/Chisago Lakes) (Jr.-Lindstrom, MN/Chisago Lakes) redirected a puck into the net on the power play at the 12:30-mark. Sarah Phillips (Kelowna, B.C./St. George's School (RI)) (So.-Kelowna, B.C./St. George's School, RI) and Rachael Graves (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji) (Jr.-Bemidji, MN) assisted on the goal. The Golden Gusties got on the scoreboard halfway through the second period when Allie Harwood put in her own rebound. The Pointers responded with 42 seconds left in the period as Jamie Lewandowski (Rolling Meadows, IL/Fremd) (Sr.-Rolling Meadows, IL/Fremd) redirected a puck into the net on the power play to make the score 3-1 at the second intermission. Sarah Phillips (Kelowna, B.C./St. George's School (RI)) had her second assist of the night. Three of the seven power play goals scored on the Gusties this season have been by the Pointers.
Gustavus kept within striking range as Stefanie Ubl scored a power play goal with 14 minutes left in the game to make the score 3-2. Gustavus had few chances after that, but great goaltending by Ann Hulme (Shaker Heights, OH/Phillips Exeter (NH)) (Shaker Heights, OH/Phillips Exeter, NH) kept the Gusties off the scoreboard and the Pointers hung on for a 3-2 victory.
Stevens Point had a 24-13 shot advantage on the Gusties. The Pointers were 2-for-5 on the power play, while the Gustavus was 1-for-5. Ann Hulme (Shaker Heights, OH/Phillips Exeter (NH)) had 11 saves to improve to 11-0-1 this season. Breanna Scavo had 21 saves in the loss for Gustavus.
The Pointers will head to Superior this Friday and Saturday for a pair of conference games against the Yellowjackets. If the Pointers can come away with three points they will clinch the regular season championship and the top seed for the NCHA Tournament.
