University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Close Out Regular Home Season With BSU
2/10/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNESOTA CLOSES OUT HOME REGULAR SEASON
The No. 4 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team closes out its regular home season as the Bemidji State Beavers come to town, Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game is set for a 6 p.m. start, while Saturday’s game is at 4 p.m.
FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
Friday-Gold Zone video broadcast; live blog
Saturday-BigTenNetwork.com video broadcast, Gold Zone audio, live blog
HOME ICE ADVANTAGE
With last Saturday’s win (2/5/11) and a Bemidji State loss to Wisconsin, the Gophers clinched home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Minnesota is currently second in the conference standings with 48 points, followed by North Dakota in third (47), Minnesota Duluth (45) and Bemidji State (35). Wisconsin won the WCHA regular season championship last weekend and currently has 64 conference points to clinch the No. 1 seed. In a best two-of-three series Feb. 25-27, game times for the Gopher first round is 6 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday (if needed).
ON THE DOCKET
Minnesota will travel to Grand Forks, N.D., as the Golden Gopher face North Dakota in the regular season finale. Both games are set for a 7:07 p.m. starts at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Following the UND series, Minnesota will then host the WCHA First Round, Feb. 25-27. The University of Minnesota will also host the WCHA FINAL FACEOFF, March 4-5.
SENIOR SALUTE
The Golden Gophers will recognize their seniors, Jenny Lura, Laura May and Terra Rasmussen throughout the weekend. Thank you seniors for your great contribution to Gopher women’s hockey. A pre-game, on-ice ceremony will take place prior to Saturday’s game.
20-WIN SEASON
In the 14 years the University of Minnesota has had women’s hockey as a varsity sport, it has established 20-win seasons every year. Dating back to 1997-98 when the program started, Minnesota held a 21-7-3 overall record in its first year and the tradition has continued ever since. The Gophers established its 20th win of the season last weekend against St. Cloud State. The most wins in a season, however, came in the Gophers’ 2004-05 championship run when they held an impressive 36-2-2 record and a 25-1-2 mark in the WCHA.
FULL TEAM EFFORT
The Golden Gophers have scored four or more goals in 13 games this season. Of those 13 games, the Gophers have produced 72 goals with 15 different goal scorers. In all 13 games, Minnesota has also had four more different goal scorers. Just last weekend against the St. Cloud State Huskies, Minnesota had seven different goal scorers in the 8-0 win, while four different individuals scored in the 4-1 win. Of those 13, Amanda Kessel has scored in 10 games, followed by Erickson in nine and Kelly Terry in eight.
On the season, Becky Kortum has had three multiple-goal games, while Kessel, Erickson and Jen Schoullis have had two multiple-goal games.
EVERY POINT COUNTS
Only three points separates the No. 2 and the No. 4 spot in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings. Minnesota is currently second with 48 points, followed by North Dakota (47), Minnesota Duluth (45). Minnesota ends the regular season at North Dakota, Feb. 18-19. The tie against Wisconsin two weeks ago proved to be crucial as the Gophers remain in second place, while North Dakota dropped a game to Minnesota State.
ABOUT THE BEAVERS
Bemidji State enters the Minnesota series with a 12-13-3 overall record and a 10-11-3 mark within conference play. The Beavers are currently on a four-game skid, dropping series to Minnesota Duluth and Wisconsin the last two weekends. Of those four games, two were decided by one goal, including a 3-2 overtime loss to the Badgers last weekend. Leading the BSU scoring drive is senior Erin Cody with 33 points, followed by sophomore Emily Erickson with 22 and Annie Bauerfeld with 19. Starting goalie Zuzana Tomcikova is one of the WCHA’s best netminders. She holds a 1.99 goals against average and an 11-8-2 record with five shutouts. One of her shutouts was against the Gophers on Dec. 3. She was not in net last weekend against Wisconsin as Alana McElhinney was in goal both games.
THE SERIES AND THE LAST TIME
The Gophers and Beavers split their last action, Dec. 3-4 in Bemidji, Minn. The Gophers fell to the Beavers, 2-0 in the first game, but rebounded with a 6-2 win the next day. The loss to the Beavers also marked the last time Minnesota has been shut out in a game. All-time, Minnesota holds a 42-3-5 record against BSU, dating back to 1998.
OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMEN
Minnesota has had scoring from every position this year, including the defensemen. Against WCHA opponents, Minnesota has three blue liners listed in the top-10 defensive scoring. Anne Schleper ranks second with 20 points against WCHA opponents. Megan Bozek is seventh overall with 11 points, while Kelly Seeler is eighth with 10. Mira Jalosuo is just out of the top 10 at 11th with eight conference points. All four have been integral parts on the Gopher power-play units as well. Even in goal, Noora Räty has three assists on the season, including two assists against Wisconsin (11/5). Her other assist on the season came against Ohio State (1/22).
LEADING THE CHARGE
Amanda Kessel leads the team with 36 points, followed by Kelly Terry with 32. Sarah Davis is right behind them with 27 points, while Sarah Erickson has 26. The Gophers’ leading defenseman, Anne Schleper, has 22 points. In all, 18 Gophers have tallied a point this year, including 10 with double-digit points.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Minnesota holds arguably one of the nation’s best goalies in sophomore Noora Räty. A returning All-American and Finland’s starting goaltender in the 2010 Winter Olympics, Räty holds a .951 save percentage and a 1.45 goals against average this year. She has also collected eight shutouts this year and 15 in her career. She currently ranks fifth in the country in goals against (1.45) and second in save percentage (.951). Against conference opponents, she ranks first in save percentage (.947) and second in goals against average (1.60).
IN THE WCHA RANKS
Although the Gophers don’t lead the WCHA in the overall points and goals categories, Minnesota holds the top three spots in the rookie points category. Kelly Terry has scored 30 of her 32 points against conference opponents, while Amanda Kessel has scored 28 of 36 and Sarah Davis 24 of her 26 points. Anne Schleper is second in WCHA defensive scoring (20 of 22 points). Noora Räty leads the WCHA in save percentage (.947) and second in goals against (1.60).
AROUND THE HORN
A full WCHA slate this weekend as all eight teams play conference opponents. Along with the Minnesota/Bemidji State series, Ohio State hosts Minnesota Duluth Friday and Saturday. Minnesota State travels to St. Cloud State this weekend, while Wisconsin visits North Dakota, Saturday and Sunday.
The No. 4 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team closes out its regular home season as the Bemidji State Beavers come to town, Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game is set for a 6 p.m. start, while Saturday’s game is at 4 p.m.
FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
Friday-Gold Zone video broadcast; live blog
Saturday-BigTenNetwork.com video broadcast, Gold Zone audio, live blog
HOME ICE ADVANTAGE
With last Saturday’s win (2/5/11) and a Bemidji State loss to Wisconsin, the Gophers clinched home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Minnesota is currently second in the conference standings with 48 points, followed by North Dakota in third (47), Minnesota Duluth (45) and Bemidji State (35). Wisconsin won the WCHA regular season championship last weekend and currently has 64 conference points to clinch the No. 1 seed. In a best two-of-three series Feb. 25-27, game times for the Gopher first round is 6 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday (if needed).
ON THE DOCKET
Minnesota will travel to Grand Forks, N.D., as the Golden Gopher face North Dakota in the regular season finale. Both games are set for a 7:07 p.m. starts at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Following the UND series, Minnesota will then host the WCHA First Round, Feb. 25-27. The University of Minnesota will also host the WCHA FINAL FACEOFF, March 4-5.
SENIOR SALUTE
The Golden Gophers will recognize their seniors, Jenny Lura, Laura May and Terra Rasmussen throughout the weekend. Thank you seniors for your great contribution to Gopher women’s hockey. A pre-game, on-ice ceremony will take place prior to Saturday’s game.
20-WIN SEASON
In the 14 years the University of Minnesota has had women’s hockey as a varsity sport, it has established 20-win seasons every year. Dating back to 1997-98 when the program started, Minnesota held a 21-7-3 overall record in its first year and the tradition has continued ever since. The Gophers established its 20th win of the season last weekend against St. Cloud State. The most wins in a season, however, came in the Gophers’ 2004-05 championship run when they held an impressive 36-2-2 record and a 25-1-2 mark in the WCHA.
FULL TEAM EFFORT
The Golden Gophers have scored four or more goals in 13 games this season. Of those 13 games, the Gophers have produced 72 goals with 15 different goal scorers. In all 13 games, Minnesota has also had four more different goal scorers. Just last weekend against the St. Cloud State Huskies, Minnesota had seven different goal scorers in the 8-0 win, while four different individuals scored in the 4-1 win. Of those 13, Amanda Kessel has scored in 10 games, followed by Erickson in nine and Kelly Terry in eight.
On the season, Becky Kortum has had three multiple-goal games, while Kessel, Erickson and Jen Schoullis have had two multiple-goal games.
EVERY POINT COUNTS
Only three points separates the No. 2 and the No. 4 spot in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings. Minnesota is currently second with 48 points, followed by North Dakota (47), Minnesota Duluth (45). Minnesota ends the regular season at North Dakota, Feb. 18-19. The tie against Wisconsin two weeks ago proved to be crucial as the Gophers remain in second place, while North Dakota dropped a game to Minnesota State.
ABOUT THE BEAVERS
Bemidji State enters the Minnesota series with a 12-13-3 overall record and a 10-11-3 mark within conference play. The Beavers are currently on a four-game skid, dropping series to Minnesota Duluth and Wisconsin the last two weekends. Of those four games, two were decided by one goal, including a 3-2 overtime loss to the Badgers last weekend. Leading the BSU scoring drive is senior Erin Cody with 33 points, followed by sophomore Emily Erickson with 22 and Annie Bauerfeld with 19. Starting goalie Zuzana Tomcikova is one of the WCHA’s best netminders. She holds a 1.99 goals against average and an 11-8-2 record with five shutouts. One of her shutouts was against the Gophers on Dec. 3. She was not in net last weekend against Wisconsin as Alana McElhinney was in goal both games.
THE SERIES AND THE LAST TIME
The Gophers and Beavers split their last action, Dec. 3-4 in Bemidji, Minn. The Gophers fell to the Beavers, 2-0 in the first game, but rebounded with a 6-2 win the next day. The loss to the Beavers also marked the last time Minnesota has been shut out in a game. All-time, Minnesota holds a 42-3-5 record against BSU, dating back to 1998.
OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMEN
Minnesota has had scoring from every position this year, including the defensemen. Against WCHA opponents, Minnesota has three blue liners listed in the top-10 defensive scoring. Anne Schleper ranks second with 20 points against WCHA opponents. Megan Bozek is seventh overall with 11 points, while Kelly Seeler is eighth with 10. Mira Jalosuo is just out of the top 10 at 11th with eight conference points. All four have been integral parts on the Gopher power-play units as well. Even in goal, Noora Räty has three assists on the season, including two assists against Wisconsin (11/5). Her other assist on the season came against Ohio State (1/22).
LEADING THE CHARGE
Amanda Kessel leads the team with 36 points, followed by Kelly Terry with 32. Sarah Davis is right behind them with 27 points, while Sarah Erickson has 26. The Gophers’ leading defenseman, Anne Schleper, has 22 points. In all, 18 Gophers have tallied a point this year, including 10 with double-digit points.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Minnesota holds arguably one of the nation’s best goalies in sophomore Noora Räty. A returning All-American and Finland’s starting goaltender in the 2010 Winter Olympics, Räty holds a .951 save percentage and a 1.45 goals against average this year. She has also collected eight shutouts this year and 15 in her career. She currently ranks fifth in the country in goals against (1.45) and second in save percentage (.951). Against conference opponents, she ranks first in save percentage (.947) and second in goals against average (1.60).
IN THE WCHA RANKS
Although the Gophers don’t lead the WCHA in the overall points and goals categories, Minnesota holds the top three spots in the rookie points category. Kelly Terry has scored 30 of her 32 points against conference opponents, while Amanda Kessel has scored 28 of 36 and Sarah Davis 24 of her 26 points. Anne Schleper is second in WCHA defensive scoring (20 of 22 points). Noora Räty leads the WCHA in save percentage (.947) and second in goals against (1.60).
AROUND THE HORN
A full WCHA slate this weekend as all eight teams play conference opponents. Along with the Minnesota/Bemidji State series, Ohio State hosts Minnesota Duluth Friday and Saturday. Minnesota State travels to St. Cloud State this weekend, while Wisconsin visits North Dakota, Saturday and Sunday.
Players Mentioned
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