University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
19-3-0, 14-3-0-0
Minnesota State
3-18-2, 0-16-1-0
Three-Goal Second Period Downs Mavericks
1/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Jan. 16, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 3 Golden Gopher women's hockey team used three second-period goals to secure a 3-2 win over Minnesota State at Ridder Arena Saturday afternoon.
Minnesota (19-3-0, 14-3-0 WCHA) received goals from Kelly Pannek, Dani Cameranesi, and Megan Wolfe along with 23 saves from goaltender Amanda Leveille. All three Gopher goals came in the second period, and the Mavericks came within one goal late in the game with a pair of third-period tallies.
"I thought Mankato played a very sound, disciplined game here tonight," head coach Brad Frost said. "They stayed within striking distance. We had our chances there early in the first and weren't able to capitalize. Mankato gained some confidence and some momentum from that. Even though we got up 3-0 in the second, they did a really good job of blocking shots and their goaltender making saves even though we had quite a bit of possession."
After a scoreless first period, the Gophers scored three second-period goals to take a 3-0 lead. Minnesota capitalized on with two power-play goals as Pannek scored on a five-on-three advantage at 8:11 before Cameranesi scored her NCAA-best 10th power-play goal of the season just 25 seconds later while the Gophers still had the one-player advantage.
"The power play was good," Frost said. "I think that was the second five-on-three we've had all year, so it was nice to cash in and come back with another goal right after that as well. Overall, we just need to be better than we were tonight. We were fortunate to get away with one."
Wolfe then made it 3-0 with a floater from outside the right faceoff circle with 6:51 to go in the middle frame, and the Gophers took a three-goal lead into the second intermission.
Minnesota State (3-18-2, 0-16-1-0 WCHA) got on the board with a goal by Anna keys midway through the third period, spoiling the shutout at 9:56. MSU's Lindsey Coleman then scored her first goal of the season with 2:09 remaining to make it a one-goal game.
"They chipped away at the lead and made it interesting at the end," Frost said. "We'll have to come out a little better here tomorrow with a little more passion and heart, and if we do that, I think we'll be in good shape."
The Gophers outshot the Mavericks, 35-25, and Brianna Quade made 32 saves for Minnesota State.
Minnesota finished two-for-two on the power play and did not take a penalty for the sixth time in program history. The last time the Gophers played a game without a penalty was Feb. 20, 2015 against Bemidji State.
The teams wrap up the series at 2 p.m. CT Sunday at Ridder Arena.
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