UMDBulldogs.com Sunday story

Facing the possibility of it’s season coming to an end, the University of Minnesota Duluth needed a win in game three of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association best-of-three first-round playoff series and the Bulldogs not only secured the win but made a statement along the way, crushing St. Cloud State University 5-1 on Sunday night at Mars Lakeview Arena in Duluth, Minn.

“Once again our backs were against the wall and we were in a must win situation and our team stepped up and got it done. Every player on our team played fantastic and I’m extremely proud of their courage and performance,” said UMD head coach Shannon Miller.

Senior captain Noemie Marin put the Bulldogs on top at 1:13 in the first period for her 22nd goal of the season with freshman defenseman Heidi Pelttari assisting on the goal.

Freshman forward Emmanuelle Blais would put UMD up 2-0 with a power play goal at 10:25 in the first with the help of Marin.

With time winding down in the second period Minnesota Duluth would take further control of the game with a power play goal at 19:24 by freshman forward Saara Tuominen. Blais and Marin contributed on the play.

At 12:21 in the third period St. Cloud State would score what would become its only goal of the game when Meaghan Pezon scored her 12th goal of the season with Meghan McCarthy and Brittni Kuyper assisting on the goal.

Already in complete control of the contest, sophomore forward Tawni Mattilla enhanced UMD’s lead to 4-1 at 13:58 in the period. Sophomore forward Sara O’Toole and senior defenseman Suvi Vacker assisted on the goal.

But the Bulldogs weren’t done showcasing their mighty offense as Marin would notch her 23rd goal of the season at 16:53 with senior defenseman Jill Sales feeding her the puck.

Freshman goaltender Kim Martin secured her first playoff win in a Bulldog uniform as she stopped 21 shots in the contest to move to 11-5-2 on the season. Goalie Kendall Newell made 21 saves in the loss for the Huskies.

With the win, UMD (22-9-4) advances to the WCHA tournament at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis next Saturday (March 3). The Bulldogs will be facing the University of Minnesota in the semifinal game with a chance to appear in the WCHA championship set for Sunday (March. 4) at stake.