No. 2 Warriors Open Postseason with Rout of Lindenwood

FREMONT, Neb. – Postseason play got underway for No. 2-ranked Midland University on Thursday in the Women's Midwest College Hockey (WMCH) League Tournament. Hosting inside their home rink, the second-seeded Warriors faced seventh-seeded Lindenwood University in a quarterfinal matchup. The contest was a one-sided affair, as the Warriors cruised into the semifinals with an 8-0 win over the Lions.

Midland netted three goals in each of the first two periods while controlling puck possession throughout. In the first, Ashlyn Kuffler scored off a feed from Callie Maguire in the opening minutes. Maguire later added a goal of her own with a shorthanded effort at the 12:19 mark, assisted by Jaden Greenlee.

With just under three minutes remaining in the period, Darbi Poole added to the scoring off assists from Jordan Bell and Jadis Howden. Behind a dominant 30-0 advantage in shots on goal, the Warriors took a 3-0 lead into the dressing room.

After the intermission, Kuffler struck again for her second goal of the game. On a power play, she found the back of the net off a pass from McGregor and Katie McNair less than two minutes into the period.

Eight minutes later, Jaicee Huberdeau made a quick move with the puck, skated past the Lions' defense, and scored an unassisted goal at the 9:08 mark. Following another eight-minute lull, Midland closed the period scoring when McGregor tallied off assists from Haley Blaine and Maguire. The Warriors once again dominated the shot chart, finishing the period with a 30-4 edge in shots on goal.

Midland continued its offensive surge in the third period. Just over 70 seconds into the frame, Makenna Larson scored off a feed from Taylor Bell. Minutes later, Heidi Danners found the back of the net at the 4:29 mark. Brooke Barylski and Brynn Tosh were credited with assists on what proved to be the final tally.

The Warriors recorded 32 shots on goal in the third, while Lindenwood managed two. Brynn Knaus turned aside all six shots she faced, earning the complete-game shutout.

Midland (26-4-3) will look to defend its home ice at Sidner Ice Arena on Friday in a semifinal matchup against No. 3-ranked McKendree (19-7-1). The teams will play the nightcap of day two of the WMCH Tournament, with puck drop scheduled for 8 p.m. in Fremont.

It will be another full day of hockey, with four games on tap:

11 a.m. – Jamestown vs. Lindenwood (consolation game one)

2 p.m. – Maryville vs. Minnesota (consolation game two)

5 p.m. – Liberty vs. Minot State (semifinal game one)

8 p.m. – Midland vs. McKendree (semifinal game two)