University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
26-8-5, 18-6-4WCHA
Clarkson
23-12-5, 14-5-3ECAC
Gophers Advance to Frozen Four with OT Goal
3/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Emily West scored a goal at 3:09 in overtime to send the No. 3 University of Minnesota women's hockey team to the Frozen Four, next weekend at Ridder Arena. The Golden Gophers (26-8-5) held a two-goal lead, while Clarkson added two in the third to put the game at 2-2 before West scored her 10th game-winning goal of the season.
The 2010 Frozen Four marks the seventh trip to the NCAA national championship since it was sanctioned in 2001. The Gophers went last year, only to fall to 5-4 in the semifinal game. Prior to last season, Minnesota went five straight seasons from 2002-06. The last time Minnesota hosted the Frozen Four in 2006, the Gophers advanced to the championship game.
Brittany Francis got the Gophers on the board when she scored at 14:19 in the first period. Francis used her backhand to score her 13th goal of the season with West and Megan Bozek assisting on the play. The Gophers put up 14 shots during the period, while allowing 12 to the Golden Knights.
West scored her first goal of the game on a rebound attempt at 17:36 in the second period. West brought the puck in the zone and put a shot on Clarkson's goalie Lauren Dahm. Sarah Erickson picked up the puck and put a shot on as well, which was also saved by Dahm. However, West was there to add the rebound attempt when she scored on the short-side for her 21st goal of the season.
Melissa Waldie and Britney Selina put the Golden Knights on the board at 9:51 in the third. In their third meeting of the season, it was the first time the Golden Knights scored on the Gophers in 169:59 minutes played. Minnesota earned a 4-0 and 2-0 shutout win over CU earlier this year over Thanksgiving break.
Clarkson wasn't done with its offensive attack as Juana Baribeau scored at 18:16 in the third period. Just inside the center ice red line, Baribeau fired in a shot in order to change lines. Her shot rifled in up top past Gopher goalie Noora Raty. In the third period, the Gophers were outshot, 14-9 and outscored, 2-0.
With both teams returning to the locker room and the ice resurfaced, the two teams headed out for the extra stanza. It took the West and the Gophers just 3:09 into the extra period to score the game-winning goal. West made Dahm commit to her right side and West brought the puck across to Dahm's left and used her backhand to score the game-winner.
Although Clarkson outshot Minnesota, 39-35, the Gophers added the three goals and a trip to the Frozen Four. Minnesota was 1-for-4 on the power play, while it held Clarkson to 0-for-5 on the penalty kill.
Minnesota was the last game to be decided as the field is set for the Frozen Four next weekend. Mercyhurst won its game, 4-1, over Hockey East champion, Boston University. Minnesota Duluth defeated New Hampshire, 2-1 earlier today in Duluth, Minn., while Cornell defeated Harvard last night. It's the first appearance for Cornell, the seventh time for UMD and the second-straight time for Mercyhurst.Â
Minnesota will face Minnesota Duluth, while Mercyhurst will play against Cornell. Game times are at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., although the NCAA has yet to determine which teams play at what time.
