WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University women's hockey team bid farewell to 2019 by hosting the China Ice Hockey College in an exhibition game at the Saint Mary's Ice Arena on Tuesday.
 
The Cardinals scored twice in the second period and once more in the third in edging China, 3-2.
 
"What a great experience for both teams," said Saint Mary's coach Sarah Murray. "And it was an event that could not have happened without the support of the Cardinal men's hockey team.
 
"Their announcing, music, playing the Chinese national anthem, running the game clock … I can't say enough great things about how well they supported our team and the visitors from China." 
 
After a scoreless first period, the Cardinals got on the board midway through the middle stanza on a goal by Carson Sheridan (Waunakee, Wis.). Just 27 seconds later, the Saint Mary's lead jumped to 2-0, as Kaley Manglitz (Onalaska, Wis.) found the back of the net.
 
China would get on the board with less than four minutes remaining in the period to cut Saint Mary's lead to 2-1 heading into the third period.
 
Jordan Modjeski (South Lyon, Mich.) gave the Cardinals its second two-goal advantage of the afternoon just 1:33 into the final stanza, and that goal proved to be the game-winner, as China scored with eight minutes remaining in regulation to cut the lead back to one, 3-2.
 
The Cardinals officially return to action this weekend, hosting UW-Stevens Point and Marian in a pair of nonconference games at the Saint Mary's Ice Arena. Saint Mary's and UW-Stevens Point will square off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, with Marian coming to town for a 2 p.m. matchup Sunday afternoon.