University of Minnesota Athletics
Women's Hockey Collars Bulldogs, 7-5, Earns WCHA Sweep
2/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Minnesota improves to 24-4-2 overall and 17-3-2 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. UMD drops to 17-11-2 overall and 13-8- 1 in the conference.
The Bulldogs lit the lamp first at 9:17 of the first. UMD's Jenny Potter put UMD up, 1-0. The Gophers answered back with their first short-handed goal of the game. Natalie Darwitz scored her second short-handed goal in two games, this one coming at 13:10. Becky Wacker put the Gophers up 2-1 at 17:01 also in the first. Clarke picked up the puck circling behind the net and passed it to Andrea Nichols. She found Wacker camped in front of the net for the goal. The Bulldogs would put the game back at a 2-2 draw at 18:31. In the first period alone, Minnesota had four penalties, while UMD collected five.
Wacker added her second goal of the game when she and Krissy Wendell took advantage of a 2-1 opportunity at 8:11 of the second period. However, the Gophers lead would disappear in just :24. Julianne Vasichek put the Bulldogs up, 4-3 at 11:26 of the second period. However, the Gophers responded 1:06 later when Kelly Stephens scored at 12:20. The assists were credited to Darwitz and Wendell. Darwitz added her second goal of the game, this time on a power-play opportunity. Darwitz collected her ninth power-play goal of the season with Stephens and Wendell assisting on the play.
The next three goals scored would be short-handed goals. UMD's Caroline Ouellette added a short-handed at 18:21 of the second period, tying the game at 5-5 going into the third period.
Wendell added her fifth short-handed goal of the season when she pick- pocketed Krista McArthur and skated in for the goal. The Gophers then scored another short-handed goal in the same penalty kill :13 later. Stephens scored on a breakaway with a single assist credited to Ashley Albrecht. It was Stephens' 14th goal of the season.
The two goals in the period sealed the win for Minnesota. Wendell led the team with the game-winning goal and three assists. Stephens and Darwitz had two goals and an assist, while Wacker had two goals.
Gopher goalies Brenda Reinen and Jody Horak split time in the net. Reinen started the game and played for 40:00, but Horak had eight saves and was in net for the win. It was her 17th of the season.
The Gophers will look to clinch the WCHA regular season title next weekend. Minnesota heads to St. Cloud, Minn., to take on the St. Cloud State Huskies, Friday and Saturday night. Friday's game is slated for a 4:05 meeting, while Saturday's is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start.
