Women's Hockey Settles for Split at North Dakota

Mavericks unable to take advantage of last-place Fighting Sioux, as Fisher's pair of goals Sunday salvages two points at UND

by Dan Myers
January 31, 2006

Given a second chance to take a pair of wins from a lower quality team, the Minnesota State women's hockey team failed to do so for a consecutive weekend. The Mavericks did earn a split, however, rebounding from an embarrassing 3-0 loss Saturday to earn an impressive 5-1 victory Sunday at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.

Facing the prospect of an eight-hour trip back to Mankato with zero points earned against UND was not a pleasant one, especially considering the clunker the Mavs played in the series opener. The last place Sioux, who had a single WCHA win entering the weekend, blanked the Mavericks 3-0, backed by a strong performance by junior goalie Amber Hasbargen. Hasbargen stopped 28 shots, out dueling MSU's Brit Kehler, who made 27 saves of her own.

“We had our chances and just couldn't put them away in the first period,” said Mavericks head coach Jeff Vizenor. “And as we've seen, we really struggle when we don't get that lead early on. Even when we were down, we had some chances, but then it just became too late.”

The loss dropped MSU's record to 1-10-1 when their opponent scores first.

Gaining the lead in Sunday's series finale became objective No. 1 for the Mavericks, as Vizenor attempted to motivate his team's leading scorer to be the best player on the ice.

“I think [freshman Maggie Fisher] can be one of the best players in the league,” Vizenor said.

The fifth-year head coach spoke with Fisher before the game, and challenged Fisher to be the best player on the ice for either team. Although it didn't take her long to answer back, Sophomore Kristina Bunker, perhaps the Maverick playing her best hockey, beat her to the punch. Her goal at 2:27 gave MSU a 1-0 lead. The power-play marker ended a three-game stretch in which the Mavs could not capitalize with the man-advantage.

Fisher made the game 2-0 just five minutes later with her team-leading 12th goal of the season, and was the freshman's second game-winner of the season. The goal also vindicated Fisher, who has slowed down of late since her early season goal-scoring explosion.

“I think it motivated me quite a bit, especially coming from the head coach,” Fisher said. “I think I responded pretty well to it, and I hope I can keep it up.”

Another Maverick mired in a goal-scoring slump worked her way out during the second period. Junior forward Shera Vis tallied a pair of goals during the middle frame, including one on a penalty shot, to extend the Maverick lead to 4-0. Her penalty shot goal beat Hasbargen low-stick side, capping a period where she doubled her season's output in goals.

Trailing 4-0, 12 minutes into the third, UND finally got on the board with a goal by Devon Fingland. The senior captain spearheaded a Sioux effort to get back into the game during the final period, where UND fired 20 shots at Kehler in the third period.

But Fisher wasn't done yet.

UND's bench had barely re-taken its seat when Fisher extended the Maverick lead to 5-1 less than a minute after Fingland's goal. The 13th of her maiden campaign capped the scoring for MSU, and Kehler held strong to make 35 saves in the victory.

“The puck was bouncing my way,” Fisher said. “I think I played better and hopefully things have turned around.”

MSU will continue on the road this weekend with a set at Minnesota. Friday's game at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis will get under way 7:07 p.m. The series will shift down the block to Mariucci Arena on Saturday, with a 4:07 p.m. start time. Both games can also be seen on Fox Sports Net North.