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Stohr's Double
Overtime Goal Gives Pointers NCHA Playoff Crown
Box Score
Pam Stohr was having one of those nights where
nothing seemed to be going her way, but her persistence finally paid off.
The sophomore forward had a goal waived off and
another shot hit the crossbar before finally ending the longest game in
UW-Stevens Point women�s hockey history by giving the Pointers a thrilling
2-1 double overtime victory over UW-Superior in the Northern Collegiate
Hockey Association playoff title game Sunday in Superior.
It was the second playoff title in three years for
the Pointers, who must now wait for an at-large berth to their first-ever
NCAA Division III tournament. One bid is reserved for the NCHA, but it does
not necessarily go to the tournament champion. Tournament bids will be
announced on Sun., March 7.
UW-Stevens Point is now 17-6-4 overall and ranked
sixth in the country. UW-Superior is 19-7-1 and ranked seventh. Likely only
one of the two teams will be chosen for the NCAA tournament.
Like Saturday�s 2-1 semifinal victory over
UW-River Falls, the Pointers spotted their opponent the game�s first goal
and were forced to battle from behind.
UW-Superior�s Erin Kegley scored at the 14:03 mark
of the second period and it looked as though the one goal may be enough for
the Yellowjackets for the second straight meeting after they beat the
Pointers 1-0 last Saturday for the NCHA regular season crown.
However, Kim Lunneborg, who scored the game-winner
in the third period on Saturday against UW-River Falls, tied the game with
an assist from Jana Jurkovich at the 5:56 mark of the third period.
The game remained scoreless through regulation and
a 20-minute sudden death overtime period before Stohr scored at the 2:22
mark of the second overtime. UW-Stevens Point outshot the Yellowjackets
42-26 in regulation, but UW-Superior held a 14-7 advantage in the first
overtime.
�We outshot them and basically controlled the
tempo for most of the game,� Pointers� coach Brian Idalski said. �They put
us back on our heels during the first overtime and I called a timeout. We
were able to work through it and we came out strong in the second overtime.�
Stohr scored on the Pointers� first shot of the
second extra session, passing to Hilary Bulger, who sent a pass directly
back and Stohr scored high over goalie Kristy Faechner. It was only Stohr�s
third goal of the season and the first time she ever scored an overtime goal
at any level of her playing career.
�It�s funny because my teammates told me I was
going to be the one to score,� said Stohr, who put a puck in the net after
the whistle in the second period and hit the crossbar. �I had come so close
to getting one earlier in the game.�
UW-Stevens Point outshot the Yellowjackets 50-41
as Faechner made 48 saves and Amy Statz stopped 40 shots for the Pointers.
Now, the Pointers have a long week ahead as they
await their NCAA tournament fate. UW-Stevens Point is now 63-12-6 over the
past three seasons, but has never made the seven-team national field.
�We took care of what we needed to do and now it�s
out of our hands,� Idalski said. �The criteria is going to be very close. It
will be an interesting week.� |
