University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
19-3-4, 15-2-4WCHA
North Dakota
5-15-4, 4-14-2WCHA
Gophers Earn Series Sweep Over UND
1/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Noora Räty had 19 saves, while Laura May and Kelli Blankenship each scored to earn a 2-0 win and a series sweep over North Dakota, today, at Ridder Arena. The Golden Gophers shut out UND for the third-straight meeting after a 5-0 win on Dec. 13th, a 3-0 win last night and the 2-0 victory tonight. The Gophers are now 19-3-4 and 15-2-4 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
After the two teams went scoreless in the first period, Laura May broke the scoreless tie at 18:16 in the second period. On the power-play, Kelli Blankenship started the play from behind the goal line and found Michelle Maunu at the left point. She passed it to May, who fired a shot at the faceoff dot and placed the puck over Jorid Dagfinrud's right shoulder for her second goal in as many days and her seventh of the season. Minnesota was outshot, 13-6 in that period after holding an 11-3 advantage in the first.
The Gophers came out strong in the third period and had 15 shots on goal and only allowed three to UND. Kelli Blankenship added to the Gophers' lead when she scored on a rebound attempt at 7:24 in the third period. Alexandra Zebro was on the right point and passed it to Anne Schleper, who fired off a shot at the left point. Dagfinrud was able to contain the first shot, but had a big rebound as Blankenship scored just below the hash marks for her seventh goal of the season.
Räty had some key saves in the game, including multiple odd-man rush attempts by North Dakota. Räty has seven shutouts this season and is one away from tying the school record. Former Gopher Jody Horak accomplished eight shutouts in the 2004-05 NCAA Championship year and became a second-team All-American.
Minnesota will continue its home action next weekend hosting Minnesota State University, Mankato. Friday's game is at 7:07 p.m., while Saturday's contest is at 4:07 p.m., both at Ridder Arena.
