The No. 4/5 University of Minnesota women's hockey team fell, 4-1 to the No. 2 University of Wisconsin women's hockey team, tonight at Ridder Arena. With the loss, the Golden Gophers broke their 10-game win streak, dating back to Nov. 3. The Gophers drop to 14-4-1 overall and 11-3-1 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
The Gophers got on the board quickly at 3:20 in the first period when Brittany Francis scored her fifth goal of the season. Gigi Marvin started the play, passing it to Erica McKenzie at center ice. McKenzie brought the puck near the left center circle and fired off a shot, which was stopped by Badger goalie Jessie Vetter. Francis, however, capitalized on the rebound in a nearly open net.
Following the Gopher goal, Wisconsin took control of the scoring for the game. The Badgers responded by scoring a goal at 19:02 of the first period to tie the game after one period. UW's Meghan Mikkelson fired a shot from the point and scored her sixth goal of the season to tie the game. Wisconsin held a slight lead in shots for the period, 9-6.
The Badgers followed in the second period with two unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. After the Badgers scored at 13:31, they added a goal 10 seconds later on a fluke play at 13:41. Kayla Hagen attempted to dump the puck, but a Minnesota defenseman tried to block a shot in front of the net and slipped off her stick and across the goal line.
Minnesota tried to cut the Badgers' lead in the third period when they pulled Gopher goalie Brittony Chartier. The Badgers' Sara Bauer, however, spoiled the Gophers' plans as she scored an empty net goal at 19:16 in the third.
The Gophers were successful in staying out of the penalty box against one of the nation's best power-play units. The Gophers had one penalty called during the game, which came during a Minnesota power-play. Wisconsin didn't have a chance with the extra attacker, while Minnesota was 0-for-3.
The Maroon and Gold will look for a series split tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. at Ridder Arena. The game has been marked a sellout for the first time in school history. Minnesota's previous Ridder Arena record came in the inaugural game on Oct. 19, 2002 when it drew 3,239 fans.
