MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — The St. Thomas women’s hockey team played an international exhibition game against a group of women representing China Tuesday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena, where Team China won 4-3 in a shootout.

Team China used this game as preparation to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“They’re trying to put a little extra effort into trying to get a women’s team put together and compete, so it’s a good opportunity,” St. Thomas coach Tom Palkowski said.

The ceremonial puck was dropped tonight by Kaelee Moralez, the newest honorary member of the Tommies. Moralez was “adopted” into the team through The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a New York-based group who works with high school and college teams throughout the country that embrace and support children battling cancer.

“It’s just a wonderful program,” Palkowski said. “(It) gives us a great opportunity to make somebody else’s life a little more enjoyable.”

Players also enjoy having Moralez as part of the team.

“Kaylee is our new little sister,” senior forward Rachel Werdin said. “Having her here tonight was extra special, having to do the puck drop and just introducing to our team and our culture.”

St. Thomas took the board in the first period with a goal from Werdin off assists from junior forward Maddy Fiedler and junior defender Mikayla Kero. China responded at the tail end of the first period, with left wing Xing Lixue scoring, assisted by right wing Wen Lu and center Fang Xin.

Statistics were not recorded for this match up since it was an exhibition match. But Werdin’s goal was still meaningful.

“It was nice to get one on the power play,” Werdin said. “We’ve been struggling on the power play.”

Junior defender Kate Winiecki scored for the Tommies with an assist from sophomore forward Anna Solheim in the second period, giving the Tommies a 2-1 lead at the end of the period.

China responded immediately in the third period with left wing He Xin scoring from right defender Wang Bao, tying the game 2-2.

Sophomore defender Grace Webert responded with a goal to break the tie, but China right defender Yu Banwei tied it up again 3-3 with eight minutes remaining.

After a scoreless overtime period, the game went to a shootout. First-year goalie Kylie Watts guarded the net for the Tommies, but China center Fang Xin scored, giving Team China the win.

The Tommies will take a month-long break from playing and return Jan. 17-18 with a home and an away game against St. Mary’s. Palkowski noted that the Tommies may be able to play Team China again next season.

Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.