SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket women's hockey team got off to a great start in 2021-22, winning their first three games and doing it by a combined score of 21-2. It was the first time since 2013-14 the Yellowjackets started 3-0-0, giving confidence to one of the youngest teams Yellowjacket head coach Dan Laughlin has ever had.
 
Things were about to get a lot more difficult, however, as the Yellowjackets played host to Hamline, a team that has been a MIAC power in recent years and made an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
 
In another close contest, Hamline scored twice in quick succession, with both goals coming on the power play, and that was just enough as the Pipers slipped by the Yellowjackets 2-1 Friday night at Wessman Arena on the UW-Superior campus.
 
After playing four games over the last eight days, the Yellowjackets (3-1-0, 0-0-0) WIAC will now have more than a week off before entering conference play.
 
It was a tight first period, with the teams exchanging chances and Hamline owning an edge in shots on goal at 8-7.

The game remained scoreless into the second period, but that changed early when the Yellowjacket physical play caught up to them. Back-to-back penalties resulted in a pair of power play chances and the Pipers capitalized on both. Molly Garin scored with Kailey Swerhun (Thunder Bay, Ontario/St. Ignatius) off to make it 1-0 at 4:01 of the second. Moments later Jamie Davision was called for the penalty, and Sophie Rausch scored at 5:03 and just like that Hamline had a two-goal lead.
 
In the third period the Yellowjackets came out and put the pedal down, blitzing Hamline to the tune of a 14-3 edge in shots on goal. They finally broke through late to cut the Hamline lead in half. With goaltender McKenzie Whalen (East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks) off for an extra attacker, Megan Dulong (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids Senior) found the back of the net, scoring her third of the season to make the score 2-1 Hamline with 1:39 to go. Jenna Curtis (Webster, Wis./Webster) had the lone assist.
 
The Yellowjackets continued to apply pressure, peppering the Pipers with shots, but in the end Hamline weathered the storm and got the road win.
 
For the game the Yellowjackets outshot Hamline 27-18. Each team took five penalties for ten minutes in the game, with the Yellowjackets going 0-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-5 on the penalty kill.
 
Next up for the Yellowjackets is their first foray into conference play when they travel to take on UW-Eau Claire Saturday, Nov. 13. The opening faceoff is set for 2 p.m. at the Hobbs Ice Center in Eau Claire.