A commanding performance by sophomore Brittni Kehler propelled Minnesota State to a 3-0 victory over St. Cloud State on Friday afternoon at the National Hockey Center. With her third shutout of the season, Kehler became the all-time school leader in career shutouts, with six.
“Any time you can set a record this early in your career, it’s good to get that in the books,” said Kehler, who posted 30 saves on the afternoon. “The defense did a great job of allowing me to see the puck today.”
“Brit has been outstanding all year,” said Minnesota State coach Jeff Vizenor. “She’s always answered when called, and she was huge for us today.”
Throughout the first period, St. Cloud State (3-7-1, 3-7-1 WCHA) had several excellent scoring opportunities to score at even-strength, but Kehler made 11 saves to keep the Huskies out of the net. Despite the possession disadvantage, Minnesota State (8-4-1, 5-3-1) broke onto the score sheet midway through the period with a goal from freshman wing Felicia Nelson.
After fifteen minutes of fairly even play, the Mavericks poured on the pressure with four minutes to go in the second stanza but were denied by SCSU junior Lauri St. Jacques, who made a brilliant save on a 3-on-1 chance and then weathered the following flurry of opportunities to keep the margin at one going into the second intermission.
St. Cloud State began the third period attacking on the power play, showing off crisp passing skills and solid stick-handling. But the Huskies were continually denied by Kehler and the MSU penalty killers, fending off chances from St. Cloud forwards Hailey Clarkson and Ashley Stewart in succession. Another power play opportunity for the Huskies midway through the third resulted in three blueline shots from senior Kristy Oonincx, but St. Cloud was again be denied.
Almost immediately following the St. Cloud State opportunities, Minnesota State found itself with a 5-on-3 power play opportunity. The Mavericks capitalized when junior Richelle St. Croix scored on a shot from the point, which beat St. Jacques between the legs to put MSU up 2-0.
With just over five minutes remaining in regulation, St. Cloud State gained its own 5-on-3 power play but was again frustrated by the gritty penalty killing of Minnesota State. All told, the Huskies went 0-for-5 on the power play in the third period despite creating numerous scoring chances during the advantage. The St. Cloud frustrations were highlighted by Denelle Maguet’s shot which eluded Kehler but hit the crossbar with 2:30 remaining in the period.
A breakaway goal by MSU’s Alycia Wilson with 1:08 left to play sealed the victory for the Mavericks, who remained in third place in the WCHA standings with 11 points.
“Our penalty kill during the third period was a huge momentum swinger,” said Vizenor. “Our defense really stepped up and took those shots in the chest when we needed them to.”
Vizenor likened the experience to a game three weeks earlier at Bemidji State, where two 5-on-3 power play goals for the Beavers were the difference in a 2-1 loss.
“We certainly learned our lesson up there,” he said.
The loss was the first at home for St. Cloud State this season, which remained in a fifth place tie with Ohio State pending Friday evening’s league games.
“Obviously, this was a tough one to swallow,” said St. Cloud coach Jason Lesteberg. “We had good puck control and good looks, we just had too many shots blocked and couldn’t bury our opportunities. We’re going to need to out muscle them tomorrow.”
Both teams are back in action Saturday afternoon in St. Cloud.
