SUPERIOR, Wis.: The UW-Superior women's hockey team exploded for seven goals over the final two periods, blanking Finlandia, 7-0, at Wessman Arena Friday.
 
Three Yellowjackets had multiple points, led by Kaleigh Martinson's (Dayton, Minn./Champlin Park) two goals and one assist, and goaltender Catherine Johnson (Lakeville, Minn./St. Paul Academy) made 17 saves for her first collegiate shutout, as UWS broke a five-game winless skid. Superior improves to 3-8-1, and Finlandia falls to 0-10-0 on the season.
 
Lauren Niska (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area) and Molly Shelton (Pine Island, Minn./Pine Island) each tallied a goal and an assist for the 'Jackets while Rachel Garland (Windsor, Colo./Colorado Connections Academy) scored her first collegiate goal to cap the scoring in the third period. 
 
After a first period that saw UWS carry the play and outshoot the Lions, 22-4, but get no reward on the scoreboard, things changed in a big way in the second.
 
C.C. Hayes (Fort Frances, Ontario/Fort Frances) scored her team-high-tying fifth goal of the season at 3:39 of the period to give the 'Jackets their first lead in four games. Kaylee Wood (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park) assisted on the goal as UWS was off and running. 
 
Just 2:04 later, Amber Heidenreich (Phillips, Wis./Hayward) scored her second of the season, assisted by Ty Bischoff (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) and Amanda Segent, making it 2-0 at 5:43. Then, Martinson converted her first of the night from Megan Dulong (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) and Shelton for a three-goal advantage at 8:59 of the period. It was the third power-play goal of the season and the first of two on the night for the Yellowjackets.   
 
Niska picked up her third goal of the year at 11:54 of the second, connecting with Martinson, to round out a four-goal outburst in the middle frame.
 
The two hooked up again to make it 5-0 at the 5:57 mark of the third. This time, Martinson took a pass from Niska and beat Finlandia goalie Annah Smiddy (56 saves).
 
Midway through the third, Shelton scored a power-play goal for a 6-0 lead, and Garland wired one to the top shelf with just 62 seconds left, accounting for the final margin.
 
The 'Jackets outshout Finlandia, 63-17, and finished 2-for-6 on the power play. UWS killed all four extra-skater chances for the Lions.
 
The teams meet again Saturday at 2 p.m., to close the weekend series.