RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The top-seeded UW-River Falls women's hockey team opened postseason play Friday evening at Hunt Arena with an 8-1 win over No. 4 seed UW-Superior in game one of the WIAC O'Brien Cup Semifinals.
Special teams was the story of the game with the Falcons taking advantage of 24 Yellowjacket penalty minutes, scoring a program record five power play goals - including three from
Madison Kadrlik as she achieved her fourth hat-trick of the season. In addition,
Alexa Niccum (2g-2a) and
Bailey Olson (1g-3a) both totaled four points.
The Falcons came out soaring, earning a 3-0 lead in the first period while outshooting UWS 23-3.
Bailey Olson opened the scoring four minutes in, followed by a pair of
Madison Kadrlik power play goals.
UWRF again limited the Yellowjackets to single digit shot totals in the second period while increasing its lead to 5-0.
Megan Goodreau scored the Falcons' third power play goal of the night before
Alexa Niccum added on to the lead late in the period.
The Falcons' power play prowess and special teams trend carried into the third period. Just 33 seconds in,
Madison Kadrlik scored her third power play tally of the game to complete her fourth hat-trick of the season. Soon after, UWS scored a power play goal of its own to trim the Falcon lead to 6-1.
Alexa Niccum scored her second of the season 10:37 on the power play to set a new program single-game record with UWRF's fifth power play goal with the previous record being four. For good measure,
Kailey Niccum extended the Falcons' lead to seven late in regulation.
Jordan O'Kane made the start in net and made 16 saves to collect her 14th win of the season.
The Falcons and Yellowjackets play again tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. inside Hunt Arena.
