Ashley Kuechle (Saskatoon, SASK, Battleford Sharks) recorded her first career shutout as the Falcon women's hockey team swept St. Norbert with a 3-0 victory at Hunt Arena.

Kuechle, who was making her sixth start of the year, stopped 20 shots in helping the Falcons record their first shutout, too.  Kuechle is now 5-0-1 on the season.

The Falcons, who are now 10-1-1 on the season, took advantage of two power-plays goals to seal the weekend sweep.  The Falcons ended the game 2-5 on power-play opportunities.

“Winning 3-0 is a perfect result for us,” said Falcon Coach Joe Cranston after the contest. “This is our first shutout of the year and Ashley Kuechle's first shutout. We finished the game strong and dominated St. Norbert in shots throughout the game.”

Kait Mason (Eagan, MN, Eagan HS)  got the Falcons on the board first with a power-play goal at the 3:32 mark of the second period.  She was assisted by Amanda Ryder (Menomonie, WI, Minnesota Thoroughbreds) and Katie Flanagan (Roseville, MN, Roseville HS)  It was Mason's third goal of the season.  For Ryder, it was her first assist; for Flanagan, it was her fourth.

St. Norbert would send six players to the penalty box in the second period. Those six penalties in the second were more than the Falcons would send throughout the entire game.  As a team, the Knights had nine penalties for 18 penalty minutes.  The Falcons meanwhile, were stopped five times for 10 minutes throughout the game.

Just 13 minutes after Mason's goal, the Falcons would add to their lead on another power-play goal, this time by Darion Bruyere (Sagkeeng First Nation, MAN, Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy), her fifth of the season.  She was aided by teammates Alyssa Black (Mankato, MN, West HS) and Allie Olson (Monticello, MN, North Wright County HS).  Black, Olson, Katie Batters (Champlin, MN, Champlin Park HS) and Alice Cranston (River Falls, WI, St. Croix Valley HS) lead UWRF with nine points so far this season.

Cranston scored her team-leading seventh goal to put the Falcons up 3-0 midway through the third period.  Captain Heather Horgen (Grand Rapids, MN, Grand Rapids HS) was credited with the assist.

The Falcons were relentless on St. Norbert goalie Kaley Gibson.  As a team, the Falcons pounded out 41 shots throughout the game.  The Falcons fired 15 shots in both the first and second period, and 11 in the third.  Gibson is now 1-4 on the season.

The Falcon defense was also stellar as they limited the Green Knights to a mere two shots in the entire second period.  St. Norbert would finish the game with 20 shots on goal.  The Falcon defense was also perfect on the penalty kill, shutting down St. Norbert in all six opportunities.

“Our penalty kill was outstanding again today – I don't remember the last time we gave up a power-play goal. And we got a couple of power-play goals and had some great set ups during our power-plays,” said Cranston.

The last time the Falcons did give up a power-play goal was on Nov. 19 against UW-Stevens Points.  The Falcons won that game 7-2.

UWRF is now 4-0-2 in the all time series against St. Norbert.   With the win, the Falcons improve to 10-1-1 overall and 8-1 in NCHA play.  The Green Knights drop to 4-8 overall and 3-6 in conference play.

The Falcons earned their 10^th and final win of 2011.  The Falcons will be off for break, but when they return to action, they will take on Bethel University.  The puck will drop at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7 at Hunt Arena.

The Falcons are 11-0-2 all time against the Royals.

Box Score