In an electric Appleton Arena environment, the St. Lawrence University women's hockey team fell to the No. 4/5 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night in Canton, N.Y.
 
From the start, the game was fast-paced and physical.
 
Just three minutes and 15 seconds into the first period, Julia Gosling picked off a Minnesota Duluth defender and fed the puck cross-ice to Anna Segedi. Segedi quickly shot under Minnesota Duluth's goaltender Emma Soderberg's blocker to give SLU a 1-0 lead.
 
Twelve seconds later, the Bulldogs quickly responded. UMD's Gabby Kruse put Gabbie Hughes' backdoor pass five-hole on Saints' goaltender Lucy Morgan.
 
Duluth controlled the first period outshooting the Saints 13-6.
 
The momentum would shift late in the frame when SLU went on their second power-play of the period.
 
With just over a minute remaining in the period, Kristina Bahl deked through two Bulldog defenders and backhanded a shot under Soderberg's blocker for a highlight-reel goal. The Saints led 2-1 after one period of play.
 
The second frame was highlighted by back-and-forth action. Five minutes and 17 seconds into the second period, Duluth drew a tripping penalty to put them on their first power-play of the game. Just 14 seconds into the power-play, Bulldog's captain Ashton Bell capped off a beautiful passing sequence, beating Morgan sliding back to her glove-side post.
 
After the goal, the Scarlet and Brown responded well, outshooting the Bulldogs 11-7 in the second period.
 
The third period displayed great goaltending. Soderberg opened the third period with a great backdoor, toe save. Both teams had power-play opportunities throughout the period, but none were converted. Great penalty killing and shot blocking was on display.
 
Late in regulation, UMD had sustained pressure in the St. Lawrence zone. Morgan tracked a blocked shot sliding over and made an amazing glove save with 30 seconds left.
 
For the second matchup in a row, the game headed to overtime.
 
Just 27 seconds into overtime, Duluth held a 4-on-3 power play advantage.  
 
After multiple point-blank saves by Morgan, Maggie Flaherty stepped into slot, snipping the game-winning goal in the top-left-corner.


 
"What a great college hockey game! Pace was fabulous and both teams played their hearts out," said head coach Chris Wells.
 
"We had some great looks to put it up 3-2 late. UMD did a real good job on the PK blocking shots and Soderberg made some nice saves," Wells added. "UMD plays at a speed that brought our game up a level. We haven't played at that speed yet this year and we responded with one of our best periods in the second."

Morgan finished with 35 saves, and Soderberg finished with 21.
 
Power-plays proved to be critical in this tight game. The Saints finished 1-for-6, and Duluth finished 2-for-3.
 
"We will be able to take away a ton from this game. We have played three games and we are starting to take on a nice personality that will benefit us in the games to come."
 
The Scarlet and Brown fell to 1-2 on the season, while Minnesota Duluth improved to 3-0.
 
The Saints are back in action at home on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against 11th-ranked Penn State.