University of Minnesota Athletics
No. 3 Gophers to Face No. 1 Wisconsin
10/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Oct. 13, 2011
The Golden Gophers have their first road trip of the season this weekend, and will head to Madison, Wis., to take on the No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers. Friday's game will begin at 7 p.m., while Sunday's game will start at 2 p.m. Live audio, video, blog and live stats will be available online at gophersports.com.
After facing three unranked teams in their first two weekends of play, the Gophers face a more challenging opponent in Wisconsin this weekend. The Badgers are the defending national champions, and are currently ranked No. 1 in both the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey magazine national polls. Minnesota is ranked No. 3 in both of those polls. Minnesota and Wisconsin are the only two WCHA teams sitting at 2-0-0 in conference play this season.
A 4-0-0 start is a good sign for the Gophers. Minnesota has started the season with a 4-0-0 record four other times before this season, in 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2009-10. In each of those seasons, Minnesota advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four.
The Gophers have had plenty of performances of note in the first two weekends of the season. Minnesota has outscored its opponents 24-1 in four games, and has not allowed a goal when playing at full strength as the only goal allowed was while on the penalty kill. The Gophers have outshot their opponents 194-51 so far this season, including a 109-26 margin against St. Cloud State last weekend.
This week, Amanda Kessel and Meghan Lorence earned WCHA weekly award for their performances against the Huskies last weekend. Kessel was named the WCHA Co-Offensive Player of the Week after scoring six points against St. Cloud State last weekend. She had the game-winner on Friday, and Minnesota's first natural hat trick in nearly two years when she scored three goals in eight minutes last Saturday. Lorence was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week after scoring a goal in each game against St. Cloud State.
Three Minnesota players reached scoring milestones last weekend. On Friday, senior Jen Schoullis scored a goal and had two assists to bring her career points total to 100. She is the third current Gopher player to reach that 100-point mark, along with Emily West and Sarah Erickson. Junior defenseman Megan Bozek had a goal and two assists over the weekend, putting her past the 50-point milestone. Bozek entered last weekend with 49 career points, and now has 52 career points. On Saturday, senior defenseman Kelly Seeler got the 50th point of her career with an assist.
Like the Gophers, Wisconsin has a 4-0-0 record overall, and sits at 2-0-0 in WCHA play. The Badgers opened the season with wins over Lindenwood before winning two games against North Dakota in their WCHA opener last weekend. Junior Brianna Decker is leading the Badgers, and the WCHA, in scoring with 12 points (seven goals, five assists). Brooke Ammerman (5-6-11) and Hilary Knight (6-4-10) are also in double figures for Wisconsin.
After the series against Wisconsin, up next for the Gophers will be a home series against Minnesota State. The Minnesota State series will take place on Thursday (Oct. 20) and Friday (Oct. 21) due to the Gophers' home football game on Saturday, Oct. 22. Thursday's game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start, while Friday's game will begin at 6 p.m.
