University of Minnesota Athletics
WCHA ChampionshipsGophers Defeat OSU, 7-1; Advance to Championship Game
3/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The Maroon and Gold exploded, scoring three goals in the first twenty minutes of play and an added four in the second period. Lyndsay Wall started things off, scoring a goal at 6:05 of the first period. Wall shot the puck off balance in the slot to score her 12th goal of the season. Kelly Stephens and Darwitz set up the goal and was credited with the assists. Darwitz netted the first of her three goals at 14:08 of the first period. Anya Miller started the play, passing it to Wall. She rifled a slap shot and it was tipped in front of the net by Darwitz.
Ashley Albrecht scored her third goal of the season on a power-play attempt at 19:02 of the first. Albrecht fired a shot. It was stopped by OSU goalie Erika Vanderveer. OSU tried to get the puck out of the zone, but Albrecht stopped the puck with her skate. After passing it to Chelsey Brodt, Albrecht got the puck back and fired in a shot. It deflected off an OSU player and went into the net. By the end of the first period, the Gophers outshot the Buckeyes, 14-3.
Liz Palkie opened the Gophers' four-goal second period at 4:44. Palkie received the puck from Albrecht. She took a slap shot and it snuck through for her third goal of the season. The Gophers scored four goals before OSU answered with a goal of its own at 9:33 of the second. OSU's Jeni Creary scored a power-play goal with Amber Bowman and Jana Harrigan credited with the assists.
Darwitz scored a goal at 15:43 of the second period, with linemates Stephens and Krissy Wendell adding the assists. Darwitz completed the hat trick with a goal 1:03 later at 16:06. Wendell found Darwitz at the back door and as she scored her 38th goal of the season. The last time Darwitz scored a hat trick was Oct. 30 this year against Minnesota State. In that game, Darwitz had a career-high four goals and added an assist.
Erica McKenzie put on the finishing touches of the Gophers' scoring with a power-play goal at 18:47. It was McKenzie's second goal in two games. Miller and Allie Sanchez set up the goal and were credited with the assists.
Jody Horak had a stellar night in goal for the Gophers. In 23 shots, Horak stopped OSU in 22 chances. Her lone goal allowed came on the power play. With her win, Horak earned her 20th win of the season. It is the third time in Horak's career that she has established over 20 wins in a season.
Minnesota was 2-for-3 on the power play, earning three goals on two shots. Minnesota allowed one power play in 10 shots attempted for OSU.
