WINONA, Minn. — For four straight years, the Gusties and the Saint Mary’s Cardinals have tied when playing in Winona, with the Cardinals taking last year’s matchup in a shootout. The Gusties, determined to put an end to the streak, scored three power play goals to complete the sweep over Saint Mary’s, handing the Cardinals their ninth loss of the season, 3-0.
It took only four minutes for the Gusties to get on the board, thanks to the efforts of Kaitlyn Holland (So., Aberdeen, S.D.), who netted a power play goal for her fifth goal of the season. The Gusties played virtually the entire first period on the power play, thanks to three Cardinal stick penalties, however, Holland would be the only one to capitalize, as the Gusties headed to the locker room leading 1-0 after one.
Heading into the second period with a 16-0 advantage in shots on goal, the Gusties were just as impressive in the next 20 minutes, totaling 21 shots and holding the Cardinals to just three. Another Cardinal penalty would lead to the Gusties’ 17th power play goal of the year, thanks to a Kayla Vrieze (Sr., Eagan) rebound that Lily Mortenson (Fy., Champlin) hammered home in front of the net. Kaitlyn Holland added her second goal — and second power play goal — of the day, taking a feed from Brooke Remington (Jr., Scandia) off the face-off to give the Gusties a 3-0 lead.
The Cardinal defense held off the Gusties in the third period, thanks in large part to goaltender Celeste Rimstad who made three crucial saves on the Gusties’ third period power play. Jordan Keeley made 34 saves in the first two periods for the Cardinals, but it was her counterpart Katie McCoy (Sr., Grafton, Wis.) who stole the show, posting her second straight shutout, making nine saves.
The Gusties, now 10-0 and 6-0 in conference play, head to UW-River Falls on Wednesday for a 7:05 p.m. matchup between the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 teams. The Gusties will then host the Falcons Saturday for a 2 p.m. puck drop.