University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
15-6-1, 10-6-1WCHA
Minnesota Duluth
12-5-2, 10-5-2WCHA
Gophers and Bulldogs Tie, Gophers Win Shootout
1/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Sarah Erickson netted the first goal of the game when she tipped in a Megan Bozek shot at 7:55 in the first period. Bozek wound up from the right point, while Erickson tipped the puck midair in the slot for her 10th goal of the season. Jen Schoullis added the second assist. The Bulldogs responded with a power-play goal at 12:59 in the first on a power-play attempt. Brienna Gillanders scored her sixth power-play goal of the season to knot the game back at 1-1 and a tie. Minnesota rattled off 16 shots on goal to UMD's 12 in the period, each producing one goal.
Schoullis put the Gophers ahead when she scored on a rebound attempt at 12:50 in the second period. Although Minnesota outshot the Bulldogs, 14-7 in the third, UMD found the back of the net at 9:33 in the third to tie the game. Katherine Wilson scored the Bulldogs' second power-play goal of the game and sent the game into overtime. Minnesota had to kill off two penalties towards the end of the third period at 16:36 and again at 18:31, but did not allow a goal during that time.
In the overtime, Minnesota did not have a shot on goal and starting Gopher goaltender Noora Raty had five saves in the extra stanza to stop the Bulldogs. With the tie, the Gophers and Bulldogs each had three shooters set for the shootout. Amanda Kessel went first for the Gophers and made her shot using her backhand. Jamie Kenyon for UMD went next and buried the puck past Raty to tie it up. Sarah Erickson was the Gophers' next shooter and was stuffed by UMD's Jennifer Harss. UMD sent out Jessica Wong, who was also stopped by Raty. Anne Schleper was the Gophers' last shooter. She skated down and rifled of a nice wrist shot that rang off the inside left post and past Harss. Down to the last shooter, UMD sent out Audrey Cournoyer. She went down deep, but Raty poked the puck out of the way and stopped her without even get a shot off as the Gophers earned the shootout win.
Minnesota had 42 shots on goal, while allowing 31 to UMD. The Bulldogs led the special teams category as they scored two goals on seven chances, while holding Minnesota scoreless in four attempts.
The two teams will battle again tomorrow afternoon at 4:07 p.m. both will be looking to make some ground in the WCHA standings. A win, earns a team three points and sole possession of second place in the WCHA.
