Head coach Maura Crowell got the start she expected from her team Saturday afternoon, and in return, the No. 10 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team got the win.
The Bulldogs struck early against St. Cloud State University and never looked back, posting a 4-0 shutout against the Huskies one day after settling for a 2-2 tie.
"We had a lot of good conversation in the locker room yesterday, because I think they are capable of playing like they did tonight every night," said Crowell. "That's our expectation, we tried to address things, and I think they responded fantastically today."
Sophomore forward Maria Lindh ignited UMD's strong start with her fifth goal of the season just 5:36 into the opening period. Lindh beat SCSU goaltender Katie Fitzgerald over her shoulder with a shot from the low slot, courtesy of a feed from junior Katherine McGovern.
After outshooting the Huskies 9-4 in the first period, UMD picked up right where it left off 31 seconds into the second stanza. Sophomore defenseman Jessica Healey took a pass from Lara Stalder, walked across the blueline, and her wrist shot beat Fitzgerald to put the Bulldogs up 2-0.
UMD flexed its offensive muscle again 8:35 into the third period on senior forward Michela Cava's eighth goal of the season. Cava batted in an airborne puck from Lara Stalder on the doorstep to push the Bulldog lead to 3-0. Senior forward Ashleigh Brykaliuk iced the game with 58 seconds remaining on the open net to seal it for the Bulldogs, who with the win improve to 7-10-1 overall and 4-7-1 in the WCHA where they trail the Huskies, currently in fifth place, by just three points.
Senior goaltender Kayla Black earned her 20th career shutout in net for UMD with 20 saves, while Fitzgerald made 25 saves in the loss for SCSU, which falls to 8-8-2 overall and 4-8-2-1 in conference play.
"At the end of the day, a shutout is a big load off your back, but the win is what really matters, and I think that was really important to our team to get that win today," said Black, who already owned UMD's career record for shutouts prior to Saturday's clean sheet.
UMD will finish up the 2015 portion of its schedule next weekend on the road against Ohio State University in Columbus. Game times are set for 7:07 p.m. Friday night and 4:07 p.m. Saturday.
BULLDOG NOTES: With the win, UMD is now 55-10-5 all-time against St. Cloud State … with her goal Saturday, Ashleigh Brykaliuk has notched a point in her last four outings (3g, 2a) … The Bulldogs 4-0 score ties their previous season high against Minnesota State back on Oct. 17.
