University of Minnesota Athletics
WHK: Gophers Open WCHA Season This Weekend Against Bemidji State
10/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Click Here for Minnesota Notes
MINNESOTA OPENS THE WCHA SEASON AT BEMIDJI STATE
The No. 4 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team opens the Western Collegiate Hockey Association season this weekend when the Golden Gophers travel to Bemidji State, Oct. 14-15. Both games are slated for a 2:07 p.m. start and will be held in the John Glas Fieldhouse in Bemidji, Minn.
SERIES RECORDS
The Gophers hold a 23-0-3 all-time record over the Beavers since their first meeting in 1998. The two teams have played in four overtime games, three of which have ended in ties. Minnesota’s last tie against BSU came on November 11, 2002 in Ridder Arena. Since then, the Gophers have won 11 games, including six shutout wins. Minnesota last saw the Beavers in the WCHA Championship when the Gophers won, 6-3 on March 5, 2005.
SCOUTING THE BEAVERS
Bemidji State opened the 2005-06 season with a win and a tie over Wayne State last weekend. Bemidji State was out-shot on the weekend 69-58 but goaltenders Emily Brookshaw stopped 32 of 33 shots in the tie, while Jill Luebke had 35 saves in the win. Jessica Pullar and Lisa Kissick each had a goal and a assist to lead the Beavers over the weekend. Nikki Echebrecht netted the game-winning goal in Saturday’s game, winning, 2 -1.
BSU’s goaltending proves to be tough competition for the opposing teams. Brookshaw, a sophomore, was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team last year. In her freshman campaign, Brookshaw saw action in 22 games, posting a .912 save percentage and a 2.67 goals against average. Brookshas was one of two goalies to play on the WCHA All-Star Team. She started in goal against the U.S. National Team on Sept. 30, allowing two goals. Luebke played in 20 games last season for the Beavers. During her time, Luebke held a .878 save percentage and a 4.05 GAA.
THEY’VE GOT THEIR NUMBER
Becky Wacker has played against Bemidji State nine times in her collegiate career. In games played against BSU, Wacker has posted five goals and four assists for nine points. Of her five goals scored against BSU, Wacker has netted a game-winning goal and a short- handed goal. She also holds a plus/minus record of +10. Like Wacker, Andrea Nichols has had success against the Beavers. In nine games played against the Beavers, Nichols has scored three goals and tallied three assists for six points.
AVOIDING THE GOOSE EGG
The Golden Gophers have not been shut out of a game since Feb. 16, 2002, when the Gophers fell 2-0 to Wisconsin in Mariucci Arena. Since then Minnesota has held a 91-14-6 record. Also during that time, the Gophers have shut out their opponents, 27 times.
ROOKIE SENSATIONS
The Minnesota rookie class had a good showing in the opening game of their collegiate careers. Gigi Marvin scored her first game-winning and power-play goal of her career against UCONN, while Melanie Gagnon set up Marvin for her first career assist. Brittony Chartier had a stellar night in net for the Gophers. Stopping all 18 shots, Chartier earned her first career shut out. Chartier is the third Gopher goalie to open her collegiate career with a shutout. Jody Horak earned her first career win with a 26 save performance as the Gophers won, 9-0, over Bemidji State. Crystal Nicholas, who played in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons, earned a shutout also against Bemidji State with one shot on goal.
SHORT-HANDED SUCCESS
The 2004-05 edition of the Gophers set a NCAA and WCHA record for short-handed goals with an impressive 19 tallies. Erica McKenzie continued the aggressive penalty kill, scoring her first short-handed goal of her career in the win against Connecticut. Of the returning Gophers, three members scored short-handed goals. Bobbi Ross and Andrea Nichols each had two last year, while Becky Wacker netted one. It was career firsts for all three.
