MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – The St. Thomas Women's Hockey team hosted Bemidji State in the opening game of the WCHA series on Friday evening. The Tommies earned their first points in WCHA play this season, defeating Bemidji State 4-2.
Ellah Hause and Nicole Vallario each scored first period goals for the Tommies, giving the Purple the early lead. In the third period, Ella Boerger added her team-leading seventh and eighth goals of the season, sending the Tommies past Bemidji State, 4-2.
RECAP
The Tommies opened scoring and took the lead early in game one of the series. Junior, Nicole Vallario put the first one past the Beaver's Abbie Thompson, scoring her fourth goal of the season. Under two minutes later, freshman Ellah Hause extended the Tommies' lead 2-0, capitalizing off her own rebound.
The Tommies drew two penalties early in the game, and went on back-to-back power plays in the first period, however could not capitalize with the player advantage.
The lone goal of the second frame came at the midpoint of the period when the Beavers scored their first of the night to cut the Tommies' lead in half.
Ella Boerger scored two goals in the third period to push the Tommies past the Beavers. Boerger's first of the night came from a neutral zone turn over. After Rylee Bartz disrupted the Beaver's play, Ella Boerger took the puck down the ice and scored her seventh of the season, unassisted. However, under a minute later, Bemidji State answered with a goal of their own to put the game back within one.
With just over five minutes to play in the game, Boerger scored her second of the night off a feed from fellow linemates Rylee Bartz and Cara Sajevic, once again taking back the two-goal lead.
In the final minute of play, the Beavers pulled their goaltender, playing with a 6-on-5 skater advantage. Olivia King continued to have a strong performance in net, shutting down a breakaway opportunity from the Beavers.
King finished the night with 22 saves on 24 shots on goal, helping the Tommies to their first WCHA win of the season.
TOP TOMMIES
·Ella Boerger scored two goals, including the game-winning goal in tonight's game against the Beavers. Boerger has scored team-leading eight goals and two game winning goals so far this season.
·Olivia King made 22 saves in goal, posting a .917 SV% tonight.
·Defenders, Ellah Hause and Nicole Vallario scored first period goals for the Tommies. The defensive duo has combined for 17 points in the first half of the season.
QUOTABLE
"It was a great effort," Head Coach Joel Johnson said. "When you defend well, it gives you a chance to win. I thought Olivia King played strong tonight, and it was a great win overall."
UP NEXT
The St. Thomas Women's Hockey team will host Bemidji State for game two of the weekend series and the final game of 2023. Puck drop is set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9th at Saint Thomas Ice Arena. Any and all information pertaining to the St. Thomas women's hockey team can be found at tommiesports.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieWHockey.