Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - Domination was the name of the game for the Royals tonight as they beat the Saint Benedict Blazers 2-1 at the Schwan's Super Rink.

The Royals started the first period aggressively, placing shot after shot at the Blazers goal. With just over a minute left, Kassy Sullivan (Jr., Roseville, Minn.) scored the Royals' first goal during a power play. Assists went to Biz Huss (Fr., Beaver Bay, Minn.) and Sarah Kartak (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.).

The second period brought a sense of urgency for the Royals to add to their lead as they continued to pound the Blazer's goalie with shots. Yet, late in the second period, the pendulum swung back the other way as pressure was being dished out to Royals' goalie jess Newstrom (Fr., Cambridge, Minn.) as the Blazer's gained shots on the goal.

As the third period got underway, the Blazers picked up their intensity, but at 8:38 into the period, Kate Wahlin (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) scored another goal for the Royals, making their lead 2-0. Kartak and Sullivan assisted on the goal. Unfortunately, the Blazer's momentum from the start of the period gave them a rare opportunity and Gretchen Leyendecker scored for St. Benedict within the last two minutes of play. With that goal, the Royals picked up the defensive heat and kept the Blazers at bay for the remainder of the game to win their second MIAC game in their last three.

Overall, the Royals out-shot St. Benedict 42 to 27. Sullivan now leads the Royals in points with two goals and three assists, while Kartak follows with two goals and two assists.

The Royals now sit 2-7 overall (2-3 MIAC), while St. Benedict drops to 1-5-2 overall and 0-3-2 in the MIAC. The Royals are scheduled to face the Blazers tomorrow at St. Benedict at 2 p.m. for their last game before a lengthy finals and holiday break.