University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHERS COMPLETE SWEEP OF UMD WITH 5-3 TRIUMPH
11/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Bulldogs got on the board first at 8:47 of the opening period whenAndy Reierson's huge slapshot beat Minnesota goaltender Justin Johnson high on the glove side.
The Golden Gophers rebounded with exceptional special teams play. It took until 16:04 of the first period, but Minnesota capitalized on a two-on-one break to grab a shorthanded goal. Waibel streaked up the right side of the ice and fed freshman Jake Fleming who one-timed the puck past UMD goaltender Rob Anderson high stick side.
Minnesota then picked up a power play goal at 18:56 to stretch its man advantage scoring streak to 11 games. Jordan Leopold got his ninth goal of the season on a slapshot from the point. John Pohl and Grant Potulny earned the assists. With his goal, Leopold moved into a tie for fifth place all-time on the school list for goals by a defenseman. He is now tied with Reed Larson with 34 goals in his career.
UMD struck first in the second period, scoring 35 seconds into the period on Judd Medak's backhander that beat Johnson high glove side. The Bulldogs then took the lead for the first time on the weekend with their power play goal by Jon Francisco at 3:36. Senior Adam Hauser relieved Johnson and proceeded to shut the door on the Bulldogs.
Gold Country responded again in a big way, scoring twice in two and a half minutes to retake the lead at 4-3. Waibel tied the score at 11:05, taking a Matt Koalska pass and flipping the puck into the top shelf. The Golden Gophers then tallied their second power play goal on Koalska's lamplighter at 13:38 during a flurry in front of the net.
Minnesota ended the scoring on the night at 11:06 of the third period on Erik Wendell's power play goal. Keith Ballard's shot from the point rebounded right to Wendell who knocked in the puck from the top of the crease.
With his assist in the first period, Pohl extended his point scoring streak to 13 games. Seven different Minnesota players ended the weekend with multiple points.
The nation's number one team travels to the state of Michigan next weekend for the College Hockey Showcase with games against Michigan and Michigan State.
