University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
18-3-0, 13-3-0WCHA
Ohio State
7-15-0, 3-13-0WCHA
No. 3 Gophers Shut Out Buckeyes, 9-0
1/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Jan. 10, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - Gophers Lee Stecklein, Kate Schipper, and Cara Piazza led the way with three points each as the No. 3 Minnesota women's hockey team secured a 9-0 shutout victory and a WCHA series sweep over visiting Ohio State at Ridder Arena Sunday afternoon.
Minnesota (17-3-0, 13-3-0 WCHA) scored four goals in the first period, including jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 6:20, en route to its sixth shutout of the season. The Gophers added three goals in the second and two more in the third while outshooting the Buckeyes, 45-17.
Amanda Leveille made one save in the first period before Sidney Peters played the remaining two periods and stopped all 16 shots faced. OSU netminder Alex LaMere made 36 saves for Ohio State (7-15-0, 3-13-0 WCHA).
"Well, I'm really happy with the win here today," head coach Brad Frost said. "Our team came out with great jump, energy, enthusiasm, passion, and was able to score three goals in the first six minutes or so. It really set the tone for the rest of the night."
Along with three points each from Stecklein (2g-1a), Schipper (2g-1a) and Piazza (3a), Kelly Pannek also scored twice. Taylor Williamson (2a), Kelsey Cline (2a), Brook Garzone (2a), Sarah Potomak (1g-1a) and Dani Cameranesi (1g-1a) each had multi-point games for the Gophers as well.
Pannek scored the first two goals of the game, finding the back of the net just 59 seconds into the game and adding a power-play goal at 5:18 of the opening frame, before Schipper and Stecklein also added first-period goals.
During the second period, Schipper, Potomak, and Caitlin Reilly were able to find the back of the net, all scoring within the last five minutes of the middle frame.
"We took a little bit off there in the second period, but after the time out, we were able to score three goals in the last five minutes of the second," Frost said. "We just really continued to pressure there in the third, so, really good stuff, Sid Peters played in the second and made some tremendous saves and really kept that zero on the board. From there, our team settled in.
"I'm happy with the win, the weekend overall and the six points, and looking forward to a good week of practice here."
The Gophers concluded the game with a three-goal third period. Stecklein tied her career high with her second goal of the game, and Cameranesi netted her 20th goal of the season, converting on the power play at 11:59 of the third.
For the game, the Gophers held Ohio State scoreless on two power-play opportunities while going tow-for-two on the man advantage.
Minnesota will host Minnesota State for a WCHA match-up next weekend. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday afternoons at Ridder Arena.
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