Box Score RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The Adrian College women's hockey team advanced to their first-ever Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) O'Brien Cup championship game with a 3-0 win over #9 Wisconsin-Superior. With the win, the Bulldogs are now 18-7-3 on the season, which ties a team record for most wins in a season.
Adrian struck the first blow as senior Jessica Grubbs (Woodbridge, Va.) was able to beat the Superior goaltender with just four seconds left in the first period. Grubbs' power play goal was assisted by fellow senior Danielle Maludy (Maumee, Ohio) and junior Brooke Zaleski (Toledo, Ohio). Grubbs took the pass from Maludy at the point and fired off a wrist shot that found the back of the net.
Neither team was able to find the net in the second period as the Bulldogs out-shot the Yellowjackets 10-to-9.
Much like the first period, most of the third period was relatively quiet until sophomore Ashley Gniewek (Southgate, Mich.) netted her eighth goal of the season on assists by junior Olivia Rork (Wayne, Mich.) and Zaleski at 17:07 of the third period. Rork took a shot at Superior goalie Amy Torgenson who was able to make the initial save, but Gniewek was there to tap home the rebound.
Senior Stacey Kempson (Windsor, Ont.) added an empty net goal, her 15th of the season, with 14 seconds left in the final period to seal the Adrian victory. Kempson was assisted by Maludy and junior Kelly Salis (St. Clair Shores, Mich.).
Freshman goaltender Emily Michelin (Highland, Mich.) earned her eighth shutout of the season while making 24 saves.
On the night, Adrian was 1-for-3 on the power play while Superior was 0-for-2. The three penalties committed by the Bulldogs was their lowest since December 11 at Concordia (Wis.). Adrian out-shot the Yellowjackets 29-to-24.
The Bulldogs will try to win their first NCHA title as they take on the top team in the nation when they face Wisconsin-River Falls in the O'Brien Cup finals at 3:05 p.m. (est.). Adrian was 0-1-1 against the Falcons in the regular season with a 2-2 tied on January 29 before falling 3-1 the following day.
