University of Minnesota Athletics
MUZERALL'S HAT TRICK LEADS GOPHERS TO WIN OVER BEAVERS
1/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Nadine Muzerall recorded her second consecutive hat trick and added an assist to lead Minnesota to a 6-1 victory over Bemidji State at Mariucci Arena.
Minnesota, 17-5-0 and 15-2-0 in the WCHA-Women's League, took a 1-0 lead 11 minutes, 26 seconds into the opening period but Kristie Hofer evened the score for the Beavers, 13-10-1 and 4-10-1, three minutes into the second period.
Ambria Thomas gave the Gophers the lead for good by scoring goals less than five minutes apart to give her team a 3-1 lead with 8:17 to play in the second period.
Minnesota put the game away with three goals in the third period. Muzerall sandwhiched a pair of goals around a Kris Scholz power-play tally as the hosts held a 30-10 advantage in shots on goal over the final two periods.
Special teams play also proved to be a key in the game. Minnesota killed all four Bemidji State power plays and have not allowed a power-play goal in six consecutive games with 30 successful kills in a row. Meanwhile, the Gophers were 3-for-4 on the power play.
Crystal Nicholas made 17 saves in goal for Minnesota, earning her eighth win of the season without a loss. Bre Dedrickson had 33 saves for Bemidji State.
The two teams conclude their two-game series Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Mariucci Arena.
