No. 2 Warriors Tested at WMCH Showcase
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – For the second straight weekend, No. 2 Midland University was put to the test on the ice as they competed in a pair of games at the Women's Midwest College Hockey (WMCH) Showcase. On Friday, the Warriors battled No. 12 University of Jamestown to a 6-2 win and then on Saturday, they edged past No. 13 Minnesota by a score of 1-0.
FRIDAY: Midland 6, Jamestown 2
Midland needed a strong third period to pick up the win over Jamestown. The Warriors and Jimmies traded goals through the first 30 minutes of the game before a streak of three powerplay goals put the Warriors in control for the 6-2 victory.
Jamestown opened the scoring ledger with a powerplay score just before the halfway point of the first period on Friday morning. Midland matched the goal at the 15:19 mark when Kayla Flanigan found the net, assisted by Keagan Shearer to tie the game going into the intermission.
In the second period, Callie Maguire scored at the 5:24 mark off assists from Grace Page and Taylor Bell. The Jimmies would answer at the 7:03 mark following another trip to the penalty box by the Warriors.
As time was winding down ahead of the final break, Jenna Grosdidier scored Midland's first powerplay goal at 17:39. She was assisted by Ally Rakowski and Flanigan. Maguire found the back of the net again just 20 seconds into the third period. Coming out of the break on the powerplay, Jaicee Huberdeau and Flanigan found their teammate for the insurance goal. The final two goals came from Kamryn Hayhurst scoring at the 2:05 mark on the powerplay and from Sydni Richards at the 3:30 mark. Hayhurst was assisted by Rylee Martin and Rakowski while Richards was aided by Flanigan and Tanna Christensen.
Meghan Steward had a solid day in net to earn the win, securing the win with 13 saves. The Warriors limited the Jimmies to just 15 shots while putting up 49 shots on net themselves.
SATURDAY: Midland 1, Minnesota 0
Possibly looking ahead to the WMCH All-Star Game festivities on Sunday, the Warriors looked flat in the late-night game on Saturday. Playing in the last time slot of the day, Midland and Minnesota faced off just before 9:00 p.m. inside the Centene Community Ice Center.
After an opening period and a half of defensive play on both sides, the Warriors finally broke through at the 11:12 mark. Taking advantage of a boarding penalty by the Gophers, Ally Rakowski found the back of the net on the powerplay off assists from Kayla Flanigan and Jaicee Huberdeau.
Despite chances by both offensive attacks, the defensive units stood firm the rest of the way as Midland earned the 1-0 victory.
Hannah Stone picked up the shutout win in goal for the Warriors with 33 saves. The Gophers' counterpart was equally impressive with 37 saves in defeat.
Midland (23-0-2) will now turn its attention back to No. 4 Jamestown (12-9-0). After a weekend off, the Warriors will travel up to Jamestown, North Dakota to take on the Jimmies on Friday, February 9, and Saturday, February 10.