University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
12-2-1, 10-2-1WCHA
Clarkson
12-3-1, 6-1-0ECAC
Gophers Earn 4-0 Shutout Over No. 3 Clarkson
11/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The No. 2 University of Minnesota women's hockey team scored a goal in the second and three in the third to earn a 4-0 shutout win over No. 3 Clarkson, tonight, at Ridder Arena. The Golden Gophers had four different goal scorers and 10 players tallied a point in the win. Minnesota improves its record to 12-2-1 overall, while Clarkson drops just its third game of the season and sit at 12-3-1.
After a scoreless first period, Minnesota broke the tie when Terra Rasmussen scored her sixth goal of the season and third goal in three games for the junior. Anne Schleper started the play as she brought the puck into the zone and put on a shot. It was saved by Lauren Dahm, but she couldn't contain the follow-up as Rasmussen back-handed the puck just under the blocker for her sixth goal of the season and third in three straight games.
Minnesota opened the floodgates in the third, scoring three goals en route to a 4-0 win. Kelly Seeler fired a shot from the point to score her second goal of the season at 5:43 in the third. Becky Kortum tallied the first assist, while Laura May added her fifth assist of the year as the Gophers put the game at 2-0. Brittany Francis scored a power-play goal off a rebound attempt at 8:01 in the third with the assists to Megan Bozek and Sarah Erickson. Francis batted in her third goal of the season when she fired a shot off the left side of the goalmouth. Emily West and Erickson connected to add the final blow at 10:09 in the third. Erickson waited patiently with the puck as she was cutting through the right circle (off Dahm's left) and waited for West, who was streaking in through the slot. Alexandra Zebro started the play and tallied the second assist.
Minnesota's Noora Räty had a her third shutout of the season when she had seven saves in the first, six in the second and seven in the third for a 20-save night. In the first five minutes of the game, Räty made a spectacular save. She sprawled to stop the first save and then on her back, snagged a goal from mid-air. Around her, the goal judge and Clarkson players were celebrating, only to have Räty come up with the puck.She improves to 9-1-1 on the season.
Minnesota was 1-for-5 on the power play, while holding Clarkson scoreless in six attempts.
The Golden Gophers and Golden Knights will conclude the series tomorrow at 3:07 p.m.
