Two second-period power play goals help Women's Hockey tie St. Norbert

MEQUON, Wis. – It is what the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team had been searching for all season: production on the power play. The Falcons found that production midway through the second period in Friday night's 2-2 tie against St. Norbert College at the Ozaukee Ice Center.

Facing a 2-0 deficit, senior Emily Heckendorf buried the first of those power play goals 11:42 into the second stanza, making the score 2-1 in favor of the guests. Junior Katherine Pauletti (Roseville, Minn.) assisted on the score.

Then with just 3:16 remaining in the second, senior Sammi Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) netted the Falcons second power play goal, this one coming off an assist from sophomore Brandi Muller (Anchorage, Alaska). That would be all the scoring in the game as sophomore Bridget Slater (Roseau, Minn.) was outstanding down the stretch in giving her team a tie. Slater made 17 saves over the third period and overtime sessions, including a couple highlight-reel plays as time expired in overtime.

The Falcons entered the game with a power play unit converting on under 10 percent of their chances this season. Entering the game CUW was 0-for its last 19 power play chances and they had not converted on any during the 2015 portion of its schedule. That last power play goal CUW scored before Friday was against these same Green Knights on December 6 in De Pere.

The Falcons power play was on point on this night, however as Heckendorf and Reiter tallied the goals. St. Norbert had a power play goal of its own when Katie Colon scored 8:27 into the first period, making the score 1-0. Jillian Kosteck, who assisted on Conlon's goal, gave the Green Knights a 2-0 lead 4:59 into the second. Ali Parker assisted on both goals, while Myranda Hayes added a helper on Kosteck's score.

Slater finished the game with 32 saves, running her record to 5-3-2 on the season. Leigh Grall was in goal for the Green Knights and made 22 saves, 10 of those coming in the third period and one coming in overtime.

Neither team spent much time in the box on Friday as both squads committed three penalties for a total of six minutes. The Falcons 2-for-3 power play was slightly better than the Green Knights 1-for-3 effort.

CUW is off until next Friday when it hosts St. Scholastica at the Ozaukee Ice Center. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.