Injuries Mount As Winless Streak Grows
Maverick women's hockey loses and ties Providence as season's longest skid hits six.
by Dan Myers
January 19, 2006
With its winless streak stuck at six games, the Minnesota State women’s hockey team traveled to the East Coast last weekend looking to gain its first victory since before Thanksgiving. But, No. 9 Providence was able to take three of four points from the Mavericks and send MSU home still looking for that elusive first win in nearly two months.
Coming off a home set against The Ohio State University the previous weekend, a set in which the Buckeyes took both games, the Mavericks were desperately in search of a win against the Friars. But in Saturday’s opener at Schneider Arena, it took a late MSU rally just to earn a point.
Providence took a 1-0 lead just over eight minutes into the first period on a goal by Karen Thatcher.
But the Mavericks were equal to the test four minutes later when sophomore Noelle Needham buried her sixth goal of the season. Kristina Bunker added the only assist and the score would remain knotted at 1-1 heading to the second.
Providence would tally the next two goals however, one just 2:08 into the second and another at 6:40. The latter was again by Thatcher, the Friars leading scorer.
Again, the Mavericks would answer, netting a pair of goals, one each in the second and third periods to pull even. Freshman Andrea Herold and sophomore Amanda Stohr netted the goals for MSU. Herold’s at 11:36 of the middle frame was her first collegiate goal. Stohr’s third-period tally at 3:37 concluded the scoring for both teams. Brit Kehler stopped 30 shots, including three in overtime to earn the tie. Jana Bugden made 32 saves of her own for the Friars.
“We fell behind 3-1 and we showed some grit and determination to get back into the game,” said Mavericks head coach Jeff Vizenor. “We were able to move the puck high and get some shots. We missed a couple open nets and that turned out to be the difference.”
Providence finished the weekend with a dominant 6-2 win on Sunday.
The Mavericks fell behind early, allowing two goals after losing Stohr to injury in the first period. While she would return, it would be too late for MSU. The Friars tallied the first five goals of the game. The first three were of the power-play variety and the fifth was a short-handed tally.
“It’s hard to kill one penalty, but when you get another it becomes very difficult,” Vizenor said. “You just can’t get stuck killing five-on-threes against top 10 teams. You need to use that energy scoring goals.”
Jodi Helminen finally broke through for the Mavericks, on a five-on-three power play. Helminen’s goal came at the tail end of the second period and was the highlight of a tough weekend for the sophomore, who sustained a high-ankle sprain and is questionable for MSU’s series this weekend.
Providence’s sixth goal was yet another goal with the man advantage. The final goal, Stohr’s second of the weekend, was also a power play goal at 19:22. The six goals allowed by the Mavericks were their highest goals against since the beginning of November when Wisconsin put up seven.
“We could really use that clutch goal,” Vizenor said. “We’d also like to play with a lead. We haven’t had that very often over the last few weeks, and it’s hard to have that extra energy when you’re always playing from behind.”
The Mavericks jump back into conference play this weekend with a home series against Bemidji State. Face off from All Seasons Arena will be at 7:07 p.m. Friday followed by a Saturday matinee at 4:07 p.m.