University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Set to Tangle with North Dakota
10/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNESOTA STARTS WCHA ACTION
The University of Minnesota women's hockey team opens the Western Collegiate Hockey Association season this weekend as North Dakota comes to town, Oct. 15-16. Friday's game is set for 6:07 p.m., while Saturday's tilt is set for 4:07 p.m.
PROMOS FOR UND SERIES
Gopher Athletics has a promotional event for each night of the women's hockey series against North Dakota this weekend. For Friday night's 6:07 p.m. game, individuals who are a fan of the Minnesota Women's Hockey facebook page will receive $3 general admission. Simply show up to the game, give the ticket window your name to verify you're a "fan" of Minnesota women's hockey and get the dicounted rate. Not a fan yet? Find the link up top to join or check out all of the Gopher facebook/twitter pages here.
For Saturday's 4:07 p.m. game, it's Minnesota High School Hockey Night. Minnesota high school hockey teams and coaches get in free when they email their roster to mleppert@umn.edu in the Gopher marketing office by Thursday, Oct. 14th.
FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
Both games for this weekend can be found on gophersports.com via the Gold Zone package. Postgame recaps and video interviews can also be found on gophersports.com following each contest.
WCHA SEASON IS UPON US
Minnesota opens the WCHA season against North Dakota this weekend. Minnesota enters its 12th season of WCHA competition this weekend. Entering the conference season, Minnesota is 219-47-22, dating back to the start of the WCHA Women's League in 1999-2000. Under head coach Brad Frost, the Gophers hold a 62-13-9 record in the past three years.
THE SERIES
Minnesota and North Dakota have faced each other 28 previous times as the Golden Gophers have won each contest. After a long-standing tradition on the men's hockey side, the Minnesota/North Dakota women's rivalry dates back to Nov. 29, 2003 after UND started the program in 2002. Last year, the Gophers closed out the first semester at Grand Forks, N.D. and defeated UND, 3-1 and 5-0. UND visited Ridder Jan. 22-23 last year as the Gophers earned 3-0 and 2-0 wins.
ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota has made great strides from a year ago with the additions of some dynamic forwards. Sophomore transfers Monique Lamoureux-Kolls and Jocelyne Lamoureux lead the UND scoring drive with seven and four points, while junior Kelsey Ketcher has three. In its first four games of the season, No. 7/8 UND has split its competition against ranked opponents. After a 5-4 loss to then-No. 4/6 Boston University, the Terriers battled back for a 6-2 win the following day. To open the WCHA season last weekend, North Dakota split with defending national champion, Minnesota Duluth. After dropping a 4-0 contest on Oct. 8, UND battled back and earned a 4-2 win the next day. Stephanie Ney and Jorid Dagfinrud have both seen action in net for UND. Ney, who was in goal for the win against Minnesota Duluth, is this week's WCHA Defensive Player of the Week.
SHUT DOWN DEFENSE
With the shutout over Wayne State, the Gophers have not allowed a goal so far in the 2010-11 season, marking 180 minutes. In fact, dating back to last year, the Maroon and Gold have not allowed a goal in 200:45 minutes played. The last Gopher goal allowed came at 19:15 in the second period of the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four.
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
During the first month of the season, Minnesota will have four opponents ranked in the top 10. Of their 11 games to kick off the season, eight come against opponents who are ranked. Minnesota started the regular season with a two-game series against then-No. 7 Clarkson. The Gophers will then host No. 10 North Dakota and also play defending national champions Minnesota Duluth, Oct. 29-30 on the road. Following the UMD series, No. 5 Wisconsin visits Ridder Arena, Nov. 5-6.
ON THE DOCKET
The Golden Gophers hit the road as they face St. Cloud State, Oct. 22-23 in St. Cloud, Minn. Both games will be played at the National Hockey Center at 7:07 p.m. Following the SCSU series, the Gophers travel north to face in-state rival, Minnesota Duluth Oct. 29-30 at 7:07 p.m. The Gophers' next home action will be Nov. 5-6 when the Wisconsin Badgers come to town. A true border-battle with both the Wisconsin men and Wisconsin women visiting Ridder and Mariucci Arena.
