Friday

First Period

The Bulldogs started off hot, controlling the puck for the first minutes of the game and preventing St. Thomas from getting many shots on goal. 

UMD was simply dominating the period but St. Thomas showed flashes of hope like Lauren Stenslie going end to end before having it broken up by a Bulldog with great hustle just before getting a shot off. 

No scoring took place in the first half of the period but at the 11:44 mark, St. Thomas put themselves in the penalty box for the first powerplay of the game for either team. UMD took advantage of the extra player as Caitlin Kraemer put one in the back of the net with passes from Olivia Wallin and captain Clara Van Weiren. 

After this goal, it seemed that UMD turned up their intensity even more, making a 5v5 look like a powerplay. They kept pressure on the UST goalie throughout the rest of the period. St. Thomas got their best look of the period 18 minutes in when Cara Sajevic took a shot but Ève Gascon was up for the challenge. 

After one, UMD led St. Thomas 1-0. They also had the lead on shots on goal 19-5. 

Second Period

The Bulldogs picked up right where they left off to start the second period. Controlling the puck but only getting one shot on goal through five minutes. Caitlin Kraemer sauced a beautiful pass to teammate Danielle Burgen in front of the net, but unfortunately wasn't able to convert. 

Not much action occurred through 10 minutes, as St. Thomas continued to try to even the game back up. UMD gave them a chance at that when Danielle Burgen headed to the penalty box for roughing at the 11:23 mark

Thankfully, Duluth was able to get a couple clears and a miss off the post to kill the powerplay opportunity for the Tommies. Unfortunately just over 3 minutes later, UMD put themselves in the penalty box again. This time it was Mary Kate O’Brien for tripping.

St. Thomas’ Ella Boerger rifled a shot toward the goal to start the powerplay but Duluth’s Gascon was there to make the save. UMD ended up killing this powerplay, holding their lead.

After 2, UMD led the Tommies 1-0 and also in shots on goal 29-17.

Third Period

Duluth looked to build on their lead in the last period of play and got a good chance to do so when Reese Logan and Olivia Mobley had a 2 on 1 look but Calla Frank of St. Thomas was able to make the save. 

Duluth had a few more chances to score than St. Thomas at this point in the game but just couldn't connect on some of them.  

At the 4:22 mark of the period, St. Thomas’ Cailin Mumm went to the penalty box for hooking. Five shots into the powerplay, UMD cashed in when Olivia Mobley scored on passes from Hanna Baskin and Clara Van Wieren. 

St. Thomas couldn't stay out of trouble to continue the period and picked up another penalty, sending Haley Maxwell to the box for slashing. Another chance for Duluth to extend their lead. 

At the 7:53 mark, Clara Van Wieren skated down the left side with the puck and threw it towards the back of the goalie's skate. It ended up finding its way to the back of the net to give UMD a 3-0 lead. 

St. Thomas really got to know the penalty box this game as Cailin Mumm got yet another two minutes, this time for interference. UMD fired off some good shots in the powerplay period but ultimately couldn't get another one in. 

Not too many shots on goal or action to close out the period. The Tommies continued to fight to the end of the game, but couldn't get anything together to light the lamp, ultimately giving the Bulldogs the win 3-0. 

Saturday

First Period

St. Thomas and UMD went back and forth with close shots throughout the period. The Bulldogs and the Tommies both got penalties early in the game. 

St. Thomas player Rachel Golnitz got a body checking penalty in minute eight and UMD’s Caitlin Kraemer got a cross checking penalty a minute later. There was one more penalty for the Tommies – too many of them on the ice – so Ilsa Lindaman took the penalty time for the team. 

The first goal on the rink was from Bulldog Danielle Burgen, they got their first goal of the season by slotting it in the net. This goal was assisted by Tova Henderson and Nina Jobst-Smith. During the first intermission, Mary Kate O'brien talked about how they have to focus more on defense so they can protect the score, and that solid defense leads toward solid offense.   At the end of this period, the Bulldogs were up 1-0 and leading in shots having 11 compared to the Tommies 5 shots.

Second Period

St. Thomas and UMD battled through the second period with UMD dominating the possession and puck in turn. This period had lots of close miss shots.

There were a lot of good set ups by the UMD squad but all of these were spoiled by the St. Thomas defense. The Bulldogs had more dominant possession this round, having 14 shots in the period compared to the Tommies’ five shots.

By the end of the period spirits were good for the Bulldogs. UMD led in shots at this point in the game 25-10.

Third Period

During the third period, there was some bunching by the net when both teams were aggressively trying to get goals. 

In minute nine, Devyn Millwater scored for the bulldogs. It was a beautiful slap shot into the upper right corner of the net. It is a goal that deserves a chef's kiss.

The Bulldogs had some close chances this quarter, but couldn’t score again even when the puck got into the crease, sliding right over it. 

St. Thomas also had some promising chances and shots this quarter but all were blocked by UMD goalie Tindra Holm. There was a puck that deflected off the goalie, and a slapshot that sounded like it would make it in, but didn’t materialize for the Tommies. 

The Bulldogs pep band was amped up the whole game and were even more excited that the Bulldogs won jingling their keys just as the clock was about to run out. 

The final score was 2-0 with Bulldogs getting the win and having more shots on goal with 32 compared to the Tommies 19.

You can catch more of the Women's Hockey Team at Amsoil Arena November 15 and 16 when they go up against the University of Minnesota.