University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
9-2-0 (7-2-0WCHA)
Minnesota State
3-4-2 (1-4-2WCHA)
Gophers Earn a 4-1 Win Over Minnesota State
11/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The No. 3 University of Minnesota women's hockey team scored three goals in the second and one in third to earn a 4-1 win over Minnesota State University, Mankato, tonight at All Seasons Arena in Mankato, Minn. With the win, the Golden Gophers improve to 9-2-0 and 7-2-0 in conference action.
After a scoreless first period, Minnesota opened the game up with three goals in the second to put the game at 3-0 after two. Kelli Blankenship scored her third goal and second in two games at 11:36 in the second. Brittany Francis started the play as she passed the puck to Blankenship just inside the zone. Blankenship passed it to West, who returned favor at the bottom of the circle to put the game at 1-0. With her assist, Brittany Francis tallied her 100th point of career. She is the 16th player in Gopher history to tally 100 points.
Minnesota took advantage of a 5-on-3 power-play attempt when Anne Schleper rifled the puck over MSU goalie Alli Altmann's right shoulder for her fifth goal of the season at 17:07 in the second. West added to the Gopher lead when she scored on a breakaway at 19:06 in the second. Sarah Erickson made a great pass and found West behind the MSU defenseman. She received the puck at the blue line and skated in, untouched, and placed it just over Altmann's right pad for her seventh goal this season.
MSU cut the Gopher lead to two when Emmi Leinonen scored at 1:07 in the third on a power play attempt. However, Erickson scored a power-play goal at 4-1 when she capitalized on a rebound attempt to give the Gophers the eventual win. Brittany Francis and Megan Bozek assisted on the play.
Noora Räty was in goal for the Maroon and Gold and earned her sixth win of the season and now sits a 6-1-0 in her rookie season. She stopped eight shots in the first, 11 in the second and 10 in the third for 29 save total.
Minnesota and Minnesota State have a quick turnaround as the two teams play again tomorrow at 3:07 p.m.
