Minnesota State Drops Easton Holiday Showcase Contest to #1 Mercyhurst

1/2/2010 2:30:06 PM

Box Score St. Cloud, Minn. --- The Minnesota State University women’s hockey team opened 2010 play in St. Cloud's Easton Holiday Showcase. The Mavericks faced the first-ranked Mercyhurst Lakers and after a early 2-0 lead, the Lakers pulled away to a 8-2 win.

The Mavericks took an early lead in the first peroid on their first power play chance. Junior forward Lisa Edman (Ornskoldsvik, Sweden) tallied her fifth goal of the season, third on the power play. Assisted came from senior forward Ashley Young (South Saint Paul, Minn) and senior blueliner Holly Snyder (Kenosha, Wis.).

Midway through the first period the Mavericks continued to attack the net capitalizing on their second power play chance on a sophomore forward Emmi Leinonen (Valkeakeski, Finland) goal. The goal marked Leinonen's eighth goal of the season and assists came from senior forward Christina Lee (Maple Plain, Minn.) and sophomore center Moira O’Connor (Chicago, Ill.).

Maverick goaltender Paige Thunder (Cloquet, Minn.) finished the first period with 11 saves and helped the squad kill off three penalties. The Mavericks outshot the Lakers 12 to 11 in the first and finished the period 2-2 with an extra skater.

The Lakers of Mercyhurst cut the Mavericks lead to one 5:08 into the second period on a junior forward Vicki Bendus goal, assisted by junior forward Jesse Scanzano and sophomore forward Jess Jones. Not long after the Lakers tied the game on a even strength goal from Bendus. The two-on-one breakaway goal was assisted by Jones and junior defenseman Melissa Lacroix. The Lakers finished the second period with three more goals giving them a 5-2 lead over the Mavericks heading into the third.

The Lakers out shot the Mavericks 20-6 in the second period; Thunder finished the period with 15 saves.

The Lakers added three goals in the third period, making the final 8-2.

Young's assist increased her team-high points to 14, five goals and nine assists. The Lakers out shot the Mavericks 39 to 23. The Mavericks ended the contest 2-9 on the power play while the Lakers finished 2-7. Thunder finished the contest with 31 saves.

Minnesota State will wrap up the Easton Holiday Showcase in St. Cloud tomorrow afternoon against the Providence Friars at 12:07 p.m. at the National Hockey Center.

-30-

Print Friendly Version