Fremont, Neb. - The University of Jamestown ACHA Division-I women's hockey team suffered their first shutout loss, a 1-0 defeat to the Adrian Bulldogs Friday afternoon at Sidner Ice Arena.
The Jimmies drop to 0-4 while the Bulldogs get to 3-2 on the year.
After four minutes had elapsed, a tripping penalty on the Jimmies was called which led the game's first and only goal by Adrian with 14:52 left to play. Nadia Nickel earned the tally for the Bulldogs with Brenna Ward and Sydney Haggart getting the helpers on the play.
Adrian was called for minor penalties on two occasions on the first period, but was able to kill both of those off. The first period ended with the score at 1-0 and the Bulldogs leading shots on goal 10-6.
About five minutes into the second period, and a centering pass from behind the Adrian net led to a potential open shot in the low slot, but it was broken up by a Bulldogs defender at just the right time. The Jimmies had a few other chances similar to this in the second period, but nothing that could result in a goal as they largely held a puck possession edge in the middle 20 minutes.
Jamestown was whistled for a penalty about midway through the period, though they had a few zone clears and forced a neutral-zone faceoff to kill off the Adrian power play.
No side was able to find the back of the net in the second period, as the Bulldogs headed into the final period with a one-goal lead again. Shots on goal in the middle stanza were won by the Jimmies, 6-4 and total shots in the game 14-12 Adrian.
It was a fast-paced third period with few whistles, and both teams going back and forth with good shifts to generate opportunities.
Eventually, the time came for the Jimmies to pull Bashnick and get to 6v5 on the other end. The Jimmies had some of their best chances in the game in this stance. The first was by Jorja Atkinson as a puck was flung to her right in the low slot. The freshman attempted a shot at point-blank range, but it was saved. The rebound came back to Atkinson, but netminder Pippa Holmes blocked her second shot attempt as well.
Adrian managed to clear the zone, but the Jimmies were right back on the attack after this. Presley Hodson had an open look only a few feet from the crease on the right side, but this was saved as well.
The Jimmies had a few more shots on goal in the closing minute, but nothing that was too challenging for Holmes. The final seconds were spent in the Jimmies defensive zone as the two teams were in a battle for possession, and the final buzzer sounded with Adrian getting a 1-0 shutout win in Fremont.
Basnick had another nice game, following up her game against Minot State last weekend with a 19-save (.950 save percentage) performance against another one of the top teams in ACHA women's hockey.
Total shots ended 20-19 in favor of the Bulldogs. Jamestown went 0-for-2 on the power play while Adrian was 1-for-3.
UJ will have over a week to recoup before they get back into action at home against Sault College on Sunday, October 18 at noon.
