Box Score

Junior forward Alice Cranston and freshman forward Karleigh Wolkerstorfer each scored to help the 10th ranked UWRF women's hockey team earn a hard-fought 2-2 tie with the 5th ranked Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties on Wednesday evening at Hunt Arena.

UWRF appeared to win the game, but a last second goal by the Gusties, amidst controversy, tied the contest at two.

Gusties sophomore forward Emily Reibert opened the scoring with her third goal of the season, as she tipped home junior defenseman Courtney Boucher's point shot on the Gusties first power play of the evening. The redirected puck slipped underneath Falcons senior goaltender Ashley Kuechle's pads. Freshman defenseman Halie Gudmonson earned the second assist on the opening goal, which occurred at 5:07.

The goal came on the heels of a Falcons power play in which junior defenseman Allie Olson and senior forward Katie Batters both nearly broke the scoreless tie, but Gusties sophomore goaltender Lindsay Hibbard was up to the task.

The Gusties showcased why they are ranked number five in the nation (according to USCHO.com's Divison III Women's Poll) by firing five shots on Kuechle on their second power play, midway through the first period. Kuechle was up to the challenge, saving all five pucks.

UWRF senior forward Kait Mason nearly tied the contest 11 minutes into the first with a glorious chance in the slot, but Hibbard quickly flashed her pads.

Sophomore forward Chloe Kinsel could not have come any closer as she was robbed twice, pointblank, by Hibbard on a late power play.

The first period ended on a high note as Kuechle made a highlight-reel pad save on Gusties senior forward Melissa Doyle with only six seconds remaining. Overall, the first period was fast and tightly contested, leaving the Falcons trailing 1-0 while being outshot 10-8.

Two minutes into the second period, freshman forward Brianna Breiland rang one off the post, exciting fans but keeping the score 1-0. The Falcons kept the pressure cranked as freshman forward Jenna Ulberg almost got one by Hibbard after a nice feed from Cranston. Senior forward Brook Story had another grade A chance, early in the second, but the puck simply would not go past Hibbard.

Kuechle put on a clinic during a mid-second period penalty kill, as she stopped Boucher and senior forward Amanda Cartony cold on the doorstep.

After great opportunities from Kinsel and Sibley failed to cash in, Kuechle was called on once again as she made a thrilling blocker save on Gusties freshman forward Riley Viner, holding the one goal deficit.

Finally, with an absolute blast from Wolkerstorfer, the Falcons knotted the contest at one. She received a center ice pass from sophomore forward Leah Gefroh, skated in 1-on-1, and slapped the puck past Hibbard's blocker. The goal was Wolkerstorfer's team-leading sixth of the season. The unassisted goal came at 17:04 of the second period. Gefroh's assist was her fourth of the season and 23rd of her career.

Cranston nearly put the Falcons in the lead, only seconds later, with fans still cheering Wolkerstorfer's tally. The teams headed to the dressing room tied 1-1 after two periods. Second period shots were 10-8, in favor of UWRF.

Just five seconds into the third period Kuechle had to make a brilliant stop on Gusties junior forward Carolyn Draayer to keep the game tied at one.

Cranston put the Falcons in front with a snipe from the top of the circle, her fourth goal of the season and 30th of her career. Hibbard barely had time to react as Cranston wasted little time throwing the puck at the net, beating the Gusties goaltender glove side. The unassisted goal came at 5:39 of the third period.

Kuechle was called upon, time and time again, in the third period and held her ground, as Gusties sophomore forward Allison Eder-Zdechlik nearly tied the game midway through the third.

Story and sophomore defenseman Dani Buehrer almost put the Falcons ahead 3-1 with two great scoring opportunities with five minutes left in the third; Hibbard saved the day for the Gusties.

In an unexpected turn of events, the Gusties seemingly scored a tying goal just as time expired in the third period. The referees deliberated for three minutes before officially calling it a goal. The Gusties goal was scored by Eder-Zdechlik, who banged it underneath Kuechle. The puck was under Kuechle for multiple seconds before Eder-Zdechlik poked it in. Doyle was credited with the lone assist; time of the power play goal was 19:59. Eder-Zdechlik now has nine goals on the season.

A handful of overtime opportunities by the Falcons were stopped by Hibbard, ending the game in a 2-2 tie.

Final shots on goal were 32-25, in favor of the Falcons.

Cranston led the Falcons with four shots on goal.

The Gusties six game winning streak ended with the tie.

With the tie, UWRF is now 6-3-2 on the season, and 2-1-2 at home

The Gusties power play rescued them tonight as they finished 2-6, while UWRF went 0-3.

The Falcons next game is against the Gusties on Friday night at 7 p.m. in St. Peter, Minn.

Box Score