University of St. Thomas Athletics
Friday, October 28
Mendota Heights, Minn.
6:00 p.m. Central
vs
St. Cloud State
Game Notes -- Women's Hockey in search of first WCHA points against St. Cloud State this weekend
10/27/2022 10:52:00 AM | Women's Hockey
St. Paul -- Women's hockey is playing in its second WCHA home-and-home series in as many weekends, this time matching up with a very competitive St. Cloud State Huskies team.
The Tommies host the Huskies on Friday night at 6 pm at the Saint Thomas Ice Arena and then finish off their first of two season-series with St. Cloud Saturday at 2 pm at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
St. Thomas is coming off a home-and-home with Minnesota State, a series in which it fell to the Mavericks 3-1 on the road and 2-0 at home, bringing their WCHA record to 0-4-0.
The Huskies are also off to a winless start in conference play losing their first six games to No. 1 Ohio State 5-2 and 6-2, No. 4/5 Wisconsin 5-0 and 3-2 in OT, and No. 2 Minnesota 4-2 and 2-1. St. Cloud began the season receiving votes in the national polls, one of six WCHA teams to appear in the rankings. In their two one-goal losses they were outshot 45-14 against the Badgers and 45-21 against the Gophers, but fantastic goaltending kept them in it. Junior netminder, Sanni Ahola, racked up 85 saves for a .944 SV% between the two games.
The Toms were also privy to great goaltending last weekend with Alexa Dobchuk and Saskia Maurer each being called upon for a start in the Minnesota State series. They combined for 65 saves, 2.5 GAA, and a .929 SV%.
Gabby Billing was the lone goal-scorer of the weekend, her second of the season. She was assisted by Haley Maxwell, for her first collegiate point, and Anna Solheim, now just three points shy of joining the 50 club.
Could not crack the standings
St. Thomas' effort to topple Minnesota State in the series opener fell short, as the Mavericks handed the Tommies a 3-1 setback.
Gabby Billing scored in the first period, but the Tommies first lead of the season was dashed just two minutes later by a MSU power play goal. Billings first period tally was all the team could muster over the weekend.
The Mavericks controlled most of the action in the opener, outshooting the Purple 36-12 and outdrawing them 35-10.
In game two, Minnesota State broke open a scoreless game with goals 64 seconds apart early in the third period en route to a 2-0 shutout.
MSU outshot the Tommies 34-15, including a 15-5 edge in shots on goal in the third period.
Styles make fights
The Tommies hold the title as least penalized team in the WCHA this season averaging just 4:40 of penalty minutes per game, 50 seconds lower than Ohio State and Minnesota Duluth, the next closest teams.
Saint Thomas' discipline is nationally significant as it ranks fourth in the country behind only Harvard (2:00), Brown (3:00), and St. Lawrence (3:45).
Meanwhile, the Huskies have been penalized at the highest rate in the WCHA this season with 8:15 of penalty minutes per game.
That mark is good for fifth in the country behind Long Island University (10:53), Merrimack (9:37), Lindenwood (9:00), and St. Anselm (8:26).
Scouting the Huskies
St. Cloud State (2-6-0 overall, 0-6-0 WCHA) is coming off two losses to No. 2 Minnesota. The Huskies fell 4-2 on home ice and 2-1 on the road.
Much like with Minnesota State last weekend, do not let their winless conference record fool you, the Huskies have held their own with three nationally ranked top-five opponents losing half of their matchups by one- or two-goal margins.
They took No. 4/5 ranked Wisconsin to overtime but could not get by the Badgers. Team-leading point scorer Jenniina Nylund (8 points) scored both Huskie goals in the matchup and goaltender Sanni Ahola stopped 42 shots with ten or more coming in each period.
The Huskies are led by fifth year Jenniina Nylund (8 points, 5 goals, 3 assists), and senior Taylor Lind (7 points, 2 goals, 5 assists). They have four players with positive +/-, Devyn Millwater (+2), Courtney Hall, Allie Cornelius, and Allison Green (each +1).
In goal, time has been split between juniors Sanni Ahola with a 3.41 GAA and .915 SV% and Jojo Chobak with a 3.05 GAA and .914 SV%.
Series History
St. Thomas holds a 2-1-1 series lead on St. Cloud State since joining the WCHA and Division I a year ago.
Each game was played during a home-and-home series. Games played in Mendota Heights went 3-2 to the Tommies and 3-2 to the Huskies. Of the two games played at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, one finished in a tie 2-2 and another went the way of St. Thomas 3-2.
Anna Solheim led the way with six points against the Huskies last season, Luci Bianchi and Lauren Stenslie each contributed three points in the series.
The two-headed monster of Alexa Dobchuk and Saskia Maurer performed mightily against SCSU last season. Dobchuk finished with a 2.28 GAA and a .920 SV% with Maurer slightly topping her effort with a 2.00 GAA and .951 SV%.
The Tommies host the Huskies on Friday night at 6 pm at the Saint Thomas Ice Arena and then finish off their first of two season-series with St. Cloud Saturday at 2 pm at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
St. Thomas is coming off a home-and-home with Minnesota State, a series in which it fell to the Mavericks 3-1 on the road and 2-0 at home, bringing their WCHA record to 0-4-0.
The Huskies are also off to a winless start in conference play losing their first six games to No. 1 Ohio State 5-2 and 6-2, No. 4/5 Wisconsin 5-0 and 3-2 in OT, and No. 2 Minnesota 4-2 and 2-1. St. Cloud began the season receiving votes in the national polls, one of six WCHA teams to appear in the rankings. In their two one-goal losses they were outshot 45-14 against the Badgers and 45-21 against the Gophers, but fantastic goaltending kept them in it. Junior netminder, Sanni Ahola, racked up 85 saves for a .944 SV% between the two games.
The Toms were also privy to great goaltending last weekend with Alexa Dobchuk and Saskia Maurer each being called upon for a start in the Minnesota State series. They combined for 65 saves, 2.5 GAA, and a .929 SV%.
Gabby Billing was the lone goal-scorer of the weekend, her second of the season. She was assisted by Haley Maxwell, for her first collegiate point, and Anna Solheim, now just three points shy of joining the 50 club.
Could not crack the standings
St. Thomas' effort to topple Minnesota State in the series opener fell short, as the Mavericks handed the Tommies a 3-1 setback.
Gabby Billing scored in the first period, but the Tommies first lead of the season was dashed just two minutes later by a MSU power play goal. Billings first period tally was all the team could muster over the weekend.
The Mavericks controlled most of the action in the opener, outshooting the Purple 36-12 and outdrawing them 35-10.
In game two, Minnesota State broke open a scoreless game with goals 64 seconds apart early in the third period en route to a 2-0 shutout.
MSU outshot the Tommies 34-15, including a 15-5 edge in shots on goal in the third period.
Styles make fights
The Tommies hold the title as least penalized team in the WCHA this season averaging just 4:40 of penalty minutes per game, 50 seconds lower than Ohio State and Minnesota Duluth, the next closest teams.
Saint Thomas' discipline is nationally significant as it ranks fourth in the country behind only Harvard (2:00), Brown (3:00), and St. Lawrence (3:45).
Meanwhile, the Huskies have been penalized at the highest rate in the WCHA this season with 8:15 of penalty minutes per game.
That mark is good for fifth in the country behind Long Island University (10:53), Merrimack (9:37), Lindenwood (9:00), and St. Anselm (8:26).
Scouting the Huskies
St. Cloud State (2-6-0 overall, 0-6-0 WCHA) is coming off two losses to No. 2 Minnesota. The Huskies fell 4-2 on home ice and 2-1 on the road.
Much like with Minnesota State last weekend, do not let their winless conference record fool you, the Huskies have held their own with three nationally ranked top-five opponents losing half of their matchups by one- or two-goal margins.
They took No. 4/5 ranked Wisconsin to overtime but could not get by the Badgers. Team-leading point scorer Jenniina Nylund (8 points) scored both Huskie goals in the matchup and goaltender Sanni Ahola stopped 42 shots with ten or more coming in each period.
The Huskies are led by fifth year Jenniina Nylund (8 points, 5 goals, 3 assists), and senior Taylor Lind (7 points, 2 goals, 5 assists). They have four players with positive +/-, Devyn Millwater (+2), Courtney Hall, Allie Cornelius, and Allison Green (each +1).
In goal, time has been split between juniors Sanni Ahola with a 3.41 GAA and .915 SV% and Jojo Chobak with a 3.05 GAA and .914 SV%.
Series History
St. Thomas holds a 2-1-1 series lead on St. Cloud State since joining the WCHA and Division I a year ago.
Each game was played during a home-and-home series. Games played in Mendota Heights went 3-2 to the Tommies and 3-2 to the Huskies. Of the two games played at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, one finished in a tie 2-2 and another went the way of St. Thomas 3-2.
Anna Solheim led the way with six points against the Huskies last season, Luci Bianchi and Lauren Stenslie each contributed three points in the series.
The two-headed monster of Alexa Dobchuk and Saskia Maurer performed mightily against SCSU last season. Dobchuk finished with a 2.28 GAA and a .920 SV% with Maurer slightly topping her effort with a 2.00 GAA and .951 SV%.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
G
/ Women's Hockey
G
/ Women's Hockey
D
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's HockeyTommie Women's Hockey Intro Video 2025
Wednesday, November 12
Tommie Women's Hockey sweeps #4 UMD: Cinematic Recap
Monday, January 27
Press Conference: Bethany Brausen Introductory Presser 01-27-25
Monday, January 27
Women's Hockey Head Coach Joel Johnson Press Conference 11/13
Monday, November 13
