Streaks happen in every sport and at every level. The question is how deep do you look for a streak and what defines a streak? Hudson had a streak of 3 consecutive shutouts encompassing 169 minutes coming into Tuesday's game. If you went back to their game against Superior on Saturday, January 20th, the last goal surrendered by Hudson with Catterina "Cat" Donna in goal was at 3:44 of the third period. This meant Cat came into the game against St. Croix Valley not allowing a goal in her last 182 minutes 16 seconds in goal. Meanwhile, the Fusion entered the game with two consecutive heartbreaking overtime losses to the Western Wisconsin Stars and the USM Wildcats. St. Croix Valley was not only looking to get past that heartbreak, but to clinch their fifth straight Big Rivers Conference title.

The first period played out fast and even. The only difference in the period was the number of players going to the sin bin. The Fusion ended up with 3 penalties in the period, while Hudson had one penalty. Neither team capitalized on their power play opportunities or found the back of the net at even strength. Anna Woolley had 8 saves for St. Croix Valley and Cat Donna had 8 saves for the Raiders. Cat's total minutes without allowing a goal increased to 199 minutes 16 seconds.

The second period was very much like the first with the puck flowing up and down the ice. Late in the period the Fusion had the pressure being applied in Hudson's defensive zone, when Jane Volgren scored at 14:05 with Morgan Kivel and Alexis Ralston assisting to give St. Croix Valley a 1-0 lead and ended Cat's goalless streak at 213 minutes 21 seconds. The Fusion were accessed a penalty at 14:30 of the period, but their penalty kill unit performed successfully. The score at the end of two, Fusion 1 Raiders 0. 

The Fusion scored quickly in the second period to increase their lead to two. While the same 3 players were included on the goal it was Alexis Ralston scoring at 0:16 with Jane Volgren and Morgan Kivel being credited with the assists. Kendall Sundby scored as unassisted goal at 3:36 to make it a 3-0 game. The Raiders ended the shutout opportunity for Woolley at 16:41 of the third, when Brooklin Monicken scored with Juliana Cahoon and Preslynn Pettis assisting on the play. The Fusion won 3-1.

Hudson will get a little rest, before concluding the regular season hosting the Wisconsin Western Stars on Tuesday, February 6th. The Fusion will finish the season with 4 straight road games. Their next game is Thursday against Hayward at the Cumberland Hockey Arena.

 Article Text