University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
23-7-5, 18-6-4WCHA
Minnesota State
7-21-5, 5-18-5WCHA
Gophers Win 8-5 Barn Burner Over Minnesota State
2/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The No. 3 University of Minnesota women's hockey team scored three goals in the third to secure an 8-5 victory over Minnesota State University, Mankato, tonight, at Ridder Arena during the first round of the WCHA playoffs. With the win, the Gophers improve to 23-7-5 this season.
The Golden Gophers started the night with a goal from Mira Jalosuo at 5:46 in the first period. Jalosuo scored her first goal as a Golden Gopher from the left point as Becky Kortum held the single assist. The Gophers added to the lead when Sam Downey scored her fourth goal of the season at 6:57 as linemates Terra Rasmussen and Kelli Blankenship assisted on the play. MSU's Ashley Young put the game at 2-1 when she scored at 8:29 in the first. However, Laura May scored at 14:52 to put the game at 3-1 after one.
Between the two teams, six goals were scored as MSU and Minnesota knotted the game at 5-5 after two. Christina Lee scored on a four-on-four attempt just :54 into the second stanza. Emily West scored at 3:41 when she fired a wrist shot from the right faceoff dot for her 19th of the season. MSU's Lauren Smith responded with a goal at 4:03 when MSU capitalized on a 3-on-1 attempt. Sarah Erickson retailiated just :37 later when she scored at 4:40. The Erickson goal knocked out starting MSU goalie Alli Altmann. As the Gophers held a 5-3 lead, MSU battled back to put two goals in at 13:17 from Emmi Leinonen and Lauren Zrust at 18:55 to tie the game at 5-5 after two.
However, Minnesota tacked on three goals in the third period to put the 8-5 final. Chelsey Jones re-directed a Michelle Maunu shot as her stick was waist high to score her 11th goal of the season at 3:32 in the third. May held the second assist. The goal proved to be the game-winning goal, Jones' second gamewinner in as many games. Kortum netted her fourth goal of the season when she scored an unassisted goal at 7:43 in the third. Kortum won the faceoff and put a shot on goal immediately following to put the game at 7-5. Alexandra Zebro scored her first goal of the season when she fired in a shot from the left point at 10:35 for the 8-5.
Noora Raty competed in her first game with the Golden Gophers since Jan. 23 when she faced North Dakota before leaving the Winter Olympics. Raty, who won the bronze medal last night in Vancouver, flew back Friday morning to re-join the Gopher squad. Although she allowed five goals, she made some key saves down the stretch to have 28 saves for the night.
The Gophers and Mavericks will play again tomorrow at 4:07 p.m. The series is a best two-out-of-three and if the Gophers win, tomorrow they advance to the WCHA FINAL FACEOFF. If MSU wins, it forces a game-three, also at 4:07 p.m.
