MSU salvages split at North Dakota

Mavericks' offense comes to life in Saturday's 5-1 win

by Josh Berhow
Reporter Issue Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2007

MSU 1 vs. UND 2 - Game One
MSU 5 vs. UND 1 - Game Two

After getting swept by Minnesota-Duluth a week ago, the Minnesota State women's hockey team lost Friday, but got a much needed win Saturday against North Dakota to end its recent drought.

The Mavericks (4-8-1, 4-6-1 WCHA) lost 2-1 Friday but regrouped to win 5-1 Saturday at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.

UND was on top early Friday when junior forward Melissa Jaques scored in the opening minute of play by hitting in a rebound in front of the net. The early lead didn't last long, though, as MSU's Kristina Bunker tied the contest later in the period, knocking in a bouncing puck in front of the net.

Bunker was assisted by forward Lindsay Macy, who was playing for the first time since missing last weekend's series.

"She did a good job of giving us energy on the weekend," said head coach Jeff Vizenor of Macy. "After being out for a while and watching games, she was really hungry to play. She gave us a good spark."

Jaques scored her second goal of the game that became the game-winner in the second period.

Saturday's game started just as Friday's third period ended with no scoring action. Bunker then ended the three-period scoring drought for the Mavericks with some help from Maggie Fisher.

Fisher could not convert on a breakaway opportunity mid-way through the second period, but Bunker was there to knock in her team-leading eighth goal of the season, matching her career-high.

Bunker's goal moves her to sixth all-time in career goals with 28. It was also her third-straight game with a goal.

Fisher was credited with the assist on Bunker's goal, and then got in on the scoring herself, adding two more second-period goals for the Mavericks. Fisher's second goal, however, was short-handed, and happened during an odd run of events.

With the Fighting Sioux down 2-0 in the second period, head coach Brian Idalski elected to pull UND's goalie when he saw that two MSU skaters, along with goaltender Britni Kehler, had lost their sticks during the action, giving UND an extra skater and a 6-4 advantage.

With only two Mavericks players with sticks and Kehler using another player's stick, the Sioux still couldn't capitalize. The plan backfired when MSU forced a turnover and Fisher entered the UND zone sending the puck into the Sioux net for the 3-0 lead.

Besides getting a short-handed goal, the Mavs killed off the power-play, something they did successful all game, stopping all seven UND chances.

Fisher's three points in the second period moved her to second all-time in career points with 69, behind Bunker.

MSU added to its lead with goals in the third period from Andreanna Thibault and Lisa Edman. Macy was credited with the assist for Edman's goal, giving her two points for the weekend after returning from injury.

Kehler had a solid weekend for the Mavs, with 56 saves, and giving up only three goals, one in the third period of Saturday's game, ruining the shut-out opportunity.

"It starts with our goaltending and our defense, and she's a big part of that," Vizenor said. "The more saves she makes and the better she is seeing the puck, the better we are as a team."

A much needed win for the Mavs to end the three-game losing streak and gain some momentum for this weekends home series against No. 4 Minnesota.

"This puts us in a good position going into the series with Minnesota, and a good position for next semester also," Vizenor said.

Josh Berhow is a Reporter staff writer