The Blugolds improved to 10-5-2 overall and gained four points in the conference standings though they remain in fifth place.
The women’s hockey team was 4-28-2 all-time against the Pointers going into the weekend according to the game program, but that history didn’t mean much in these games. The team put eight goals on the board and only gave up four.
“We played simple hockey, but we played very smart and we played hard,” Collins said. “It wasn’t a fancy game, but we just grinded it out and we came out on top.”
Sophomore goaltender Mara Stormer stopped 39 of 43 shots on the weekend including 19 of 20 on Saturday. She improves her personal record to 5-1-2. She made good use of her glove, especially in Saturday’s game making several saves with it. Stormer said this is one of her strong points.
Besides stopping the puck, she also said helping her teammates be aware on the ice is an important part of her job as well as motivating them.
On the offensive side of the ice, the Blugolds were lead by senior Kristin Faber who had a hat trick on Friday and added an empty net
goal on Saturday.
Stormer said that the team was able to play well throughout against Stevens Point, and not just for parts.
“There’s been games where we haven’t played the full 60 minutes … and we’ve been caught playing catch-up,” she said. “If we can keep playing a full 60 minutes, we’ll be good.”
Two other players besides Faber had multiple points on the weekend. Freshman defender Emily Larson had a goal and an assist and sophomore forward Dani Kerr did the same. Five different players scored goals against Stevens Point and nine players had at least one point.
The teams were very even in shots as Stevens Point has the slight edge with 43 to the Blugolds’ 42. Both teams struggled on the power play this weekend as they went a combined one for 14, and the Pointers netted the only goal. The Blugolds failed to score in eight power plays. Nevertheless, the team hasn’t lost in six consecutive games and their last loss came in overtime against UW-Superior, the second best team in the conference.
They look to continue the streak next weekend at Hobbs Ice Arena against Lake Forest College (Ill.).
Even though Faber had a hat trick on Friday, Collins said that the streak has been primarily a team effort.
“More than anything, when you (work together), you always give yourself a chance,” Collins said, “and that’s why we’ve been successful.”