University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
4-0-0, 2-0-0WCHA
Ohio State
0-2-2, 0-2-0WCHA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Univ. of Minnesota | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Ohio State | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Erickson Nets Hat Trick in 6-1 Win
10/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Sarah Erickson netted a hat trick to lead the No. 2 University of Minnesota women's hockey team to a 6-1 win over Ohio State University, tonight in Columbus, Ohio. With the win, the Golden Gophers (4-0-0, 2-0-0 WCHA) earned the sweep after a 6-5 win the previous evening.
The Golden Gophers opened the scoring gates in the first period, netting three within the first 20 minutes of play. Sam Downey got the Gophers on the board early when she scored at 2:29 in the first period. The play started behind the Gopher goal as Noora Räty stopped the puck and Mira Jalosuo picked it up. She found Downey near center ice and Downey went in for her first goal as a Golden Gopher. Minnesota added to its lead at 7:28 in the first when Erickson scored on a rebound attempt with the assists to Brittany Francis and Emily West. Minnesota added its third of the period at 18:28 when Erickson scored her second of the stanza. During a five-on-three power-play attempt, Erickson put a shot on goal along the goal line and it trickled in for the goal. The power-play assists went to Kelly Seeler and Megan Bozek.
Minnesota continued to add another two goals in the second period when Erickson completed the hat trick just 3:37 in the second. Erickson and West combined for their second goal of the game when they created a two-on-one and Erickson fired a shot just under the crossbar for her fifth goal of the weekend. It was a career high for Erickson and her first career hat trick as a Golden Gopher. The three goals proved to be a natural hat trick. West scored a goal of her own at 6:08 in the second when she wound up for a slapshot. Jaimie Horton recorded her first assist of her junior year when she set up West for the goal. OSU cut the Gophers' lead to four when Natalie Spooner scored a power-play goal at 16:22 in the second.
The Maroon and Gold added the final blow when Anne Schleper scored at 18:42 in the third. Räty stopped a three-on-one attempt and made two saves. Chelsey Jones picked up the puck from there and got the corner over an OSU defender and found Schleper, who was driving the net.
In the series, 15 Gophers earned a point in the sweep, including Erickson and West with five points. Räty tallied two assists in the game. It's the first time a Gopher goalie has recorded two assists in one game, let alone two in one season.
The Gophers return home to host Minnesota Duluth next weekend. Friday's game (Oct. 16) is set for 7:07 p.m., while Saturday's tilt is set for 4:07 p.m.
