University of Minnesota Athletics
Women's Hockey Clinch WCHA Regular Season Title
3/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Golden Gophers tacked on the first goal at 11:29 of the first period. Kelly Stephens camped out in front of the net while Krissy Wendell fed her the puck. Natalie Darwitz started the play, earning the second assist. Minnesota had 21 total shots during the period, eight of which were on goal. The Maroon and Gold allowed two shots on goal, while three were blocked and three were off target for eight total shots.
The Gophers scored their second goal, again on the power-play. Wendell added a goal of her own at 1:18 of the second period. Stephens rifled a cross-ice pass to Wendell, who fired in the power- play tally. Darwitz again set up the play, earning her second assist of the game and 26th power-play point of the season. The Huskies fought back to score a goal at 18:59 to cut the Gophers' deficit in half, 2-1.
However, the Gophers lit the lamp at 15:22 of the third for their third power-play goal of the game. Wendell scored her second goal of the game, 11th power-play tally of the season. La Toya Clarke and Ashley Albrecht were credited with the assists. The Gophers finished the game 3-6 on power-play opportunities.
That would be all Gopher goalie Jody Horak would need. She had 18 saves on her way to her 18th-win of the season. She now stands at 18- 4-2 overall.
Minnesota will look for the sweep tomorrow at 7:05 p.m., at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn.
