University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Set to Host Clarkson on Saturday
3/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNESOTA SET FOR NCAA REGIONAL COMPETITION
The No. 3 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team hosts No. 6 Clarkson in a NCAA Regional game, Saturday, March 13, at 4 p.m. The Golden Gophers and Golden Knights met earlier this year, but it’s the only meeting in school history between the two teams.
FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
Fans can watch the game through gophersports.com as Brian Schulz and Laura Halldorson provide the color and play-by-play. An audio stream from the Gold Zone on gophersports.com this weekend as well as on the radio, KLBB 1220 AM. Live results for the game can also be found on gophersports.com.
MINNESOTA SET TO HOST 2010 FROZEN FOUR
The NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Committee selected the University of Minnesota and Ridder Arena as the site of the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four. The 2010 tournament marks the third time in 10 years the Golden Gophers will host the Women's Frozen Four and the first time in Ridder Arena. Minnesota hosted the inaugural Women's Frozen Four in 2001 and again in 2006 in Mariucci Arena. Mariucci Arena was the site of the 2001 and the 2006 Frozen Fours. In the two-day championship in 2006, Minnesota drew 7,577 fans. The university opened the doors to Ridder Arena at the start of the 2002-03 season. Ridder Arena, which seats approximately 3,400 people, has been host to a variety of events, including six WCHA conference championships and the Minnesota state girls’ tournament in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The only arena in the nation built solely for a women’s hockey team, Minnesota’s largest single-game attendance came on January 6, 2007, when 3,251 fans entered the doors.
FROZEN FOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE
Tickets are available for the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four, which can be purchased through the Gopher ticket office. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 612-624-8080 (1-800 UGOPHER) or on the gopher website: gophersports.com. Game times for the semifinals are at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on March 19 and the championship game is set for noon on Sunday.
WIN OR GO HOME
Saturday’s game is a one-and-done event. The winner of the game will compete at the 2010 Frozen Four, while the other ends its season on Saturday.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Rewarded for its 23-11-5 record, Clarkson earned an at-large bid into the 2010 NCAA Women’s Hockey Tournament. The Golden Knights, guided by second-year co-head coaches Shannon and Matt Desrosiers, will play in the first NCAA postseason game in the program’s seven-year history. Dominique Thibault leads the Golden Knights in scoring with 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points, while Juana Baribeau ranks second on the team in scoring with 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points. Clarkson earned conference awards asBritney Selina was named the ECAC’s best defensive forward ranks third in scoring with 35 points. Senior defenseman Carlee Eusepi was named the ECAC’s best defensive defenseman. Goaltender Lauren Dahm has played in 38 of 39 games for Clarkson and holds nine shutouts with a record of 23-10-5. She ranks eighth in the nation in goals against average (1.56), seventh in save percentage (.933) and 10th in winninger percentage (.671).
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Clarkson started its trek to the NCAA quarterfinal with a three-game series win over St. Lawerence, Feb. 26-28. The Golden Knights defeated the Saints, 5-0 in the first game, fell in a 2-1 decision the second game and won, 4-1 in the third to advance to the ECAC semifinals. Clarkson then earned a 3-2 win over No. 4 Harvard last Friday, but fell to Cornell, 4-3 in overtime last Saturday for the tournament championship.
Minnesota found its way to the NCAA quarterfinal with a two-game series sweep over Minnesota State University, Mankato, Feb. 26-27. The Gophers then defeated Ohio State, 5-4 in double overtime to advance to the WCHA Championship game last Saturday, where they fell, 3-2, to Minnesota Duluth.
THE LAST TIME OUT
Clarkson and Minnesota competed in its first-ever meeting earlier this year over Thanksgiving weekend (11/27-28). Minnesota earned a series sweep over Clarkson with a 4-0 and 2-0 win. In the first game, Minnesota and Clarkson were scoreless after one. Terra Rasmussen ended the game’s scoreless drought when she scored at 11:53 in the second. Kelly Seeler, Brittany Francis and Emily West all scored in the third period to put the game at 4-0. In the Saturday game, West scored back-to-back goals in the first period (a game-winner and a short-handed goal) to give the Gophers a 2-0 win. Noora Räty played in both games and earned back-to-back shutouts, facing 41 shots on goal.
