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Offense gets the headlines, defense cleans up the rest for MSU women’s hockey

Alex Eisen/MDN Minot State freshman defender Cassidy Entz (40) shoots the puck Friday morning against Boston College in an ACHA Division II women’s national tournament pool play game in McKinney, Texas.

MCKINNEY, Texas – The numbers are eye-catching.

Through the opening three-game pool play portion of the ACHA Division II women’s national tournament, Minot State has outscored its opponents 27-2 and outshot them 217-49.

While racking up broken video game numbers on offense, it’s easy to overlook how steadfast the Beavers’ defense has been. And it was on full display Friday, as MSU shut out Boston College, 5-0, to reach the national semifinals.

“Our defense has played well all season long,” MSU assistant head coach Donovan Gault said. “Today, they really stepped up their game. I don’t think we played in our own end for more than five minutes total. When we were in there, our ‘D’ was on the puck quick and getting it up to the forwards, breaking out and back in their zone in no time.”

No doubt the offensive firepower is admirable. But, if MSU wants to leave Texas with the program’s first-ever national title, the defense has to hold up as well.

This defensive unit features four Canadian freshmen and a sophomore, assistant captain Gabi Wigness, from Crosby, North Dakota. Having collegiate experience hasn’t seemed to matter with this group. They have been able to handle the handful of times they get tested during a game.

The Beavers have locked their opponents down and made them play in their own defensive zone for minutes at a time. On some shifts, playing defense for MSU can be as simple as becoming an extra forward and not letting the puck skip over the blue line to keep it in the offensive zone.

“It’s pretty nice,” freshman defender Bronwyn Bjarnason said. “And when we are in our defensive end, we know our forwards will come back and support us. Then, in the offensive end, the forwards know that we have their backs. The best defense is the greatest offense.”

When MSU’s defense has been tested, they are forcing shots from tough angles. The Beavers have too much team speed to allow any breakaway and are strong enough to win most puck battles against the boards.

That style of play doesn’t leave many options for their opponents to create quality scoring chances.

On top of that, MSU’s forwards have been relentless when backchecking. They are always looking for a quick steal to start a rush going the other way.

“You always want to help your ‘D’ out,” sophomore forward Sami Jo Henry said. “It can tire you out when pucks keep coming out of the (offensive) zone for the forwards. So, it’s nice when the ‘D’ can come up and make big plays for us.”

Freshman defender Cassidy Entz added: “We have a really good offense, and our forwards work really hard at getting (the puck) out and backchecking. We are really lucky in that way.”

Blueliners Brooke Mead and Clarissa Lewis round out the small defensive crew.

Not to be forgotten, the very last line of defense is starting goaltender Shelby Tornato, who has allowed one goal and made 37 saves in 112 minutes of tournament action so far (splitting time with backup Jadin Flexhaug).

So, Tornato is seeing about one shot on goal every three minutes. Staying focused and engaged in a game can become a challenge.

“The hardest part of a low-shot game is trying to stay in the zone,” Tornato said. “I talk to myself a lot about what is going on in the game. I try to talk to my teammates the best I can and tell them what’s going on. And I go for little skates (during breaks in the action).”

So far, the formula has worked to perfection. A national title awaits if the same dominating approaching continues to surface at both ends of the ice these next two days.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.

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