ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict scored three third-period goals, including two in the final five minutes, to blank the St. Olaf College women's hockey team, 3-0, in the series finale between the two teams on Saturday afternoon at Ritschie Arena.

With the teams locked in a scoreless game after two periods, Saint Ben's (13-10-0, 10-6-0 MIAC) scored the eventual game-winning goal five minutes into the final period and added two goals in the span of 1:24 late in the period to gain a split of the series with St. Olaf (14-7-2, 10-5-1 MIAC). The game marked just the third time this season the Oles have been held scoreless.

After clinching a playoff spot with a 3-2 overtime victory in the series opener on Friday night, St. Olaf remains third in the MIAC standings heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The Oles are just one point ahead of the Bennies, who face St. Catherine University next weekend, while St. Olaf takes on nationally-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College.

First year Hannah Fritz stopped all 22 shots she faced, while Ally Frantzick turned aside all 19 shots the Oles managed over the first two periods to keep the game scoreless at the second intermission. The Bennies finally made the breakthrough at 5:18 of the final period before Aurora Opsahl and Jamie Benzie tallied goals in the final five minutes for the hosts.

Frantzick earned her third shutout of the season with a 29-save performance for Saint Ben's, while Fritz took the loss despite a 26-save evening. Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play in the game.

St. Olaf opens its series with Gustavus, which was ranked No. 2 in the country this week, in St. Peter on Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.