University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Minnesota Whitecaps
Gophers Drop 5-4 Decision to Whitecaps
1/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
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Jan. 6, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - The Golden Gophers tied the game at 4-4 in the third period, but Minnesota fell 5-4 to the Minnesota Whitecaps in an exhibition game at Ridder Arena Wednesday night. Caitlin Reilly led the Gophers with three points on one goal and two assists, and Milica McMillen added a goal and an assist.
The Whitecaps were led by Allie Thunstrom's three points (one goal, two assists), and Meaghan scored twice while former Gopher Rachael Bona had a goal and an assist for the visitors.
Minnesota (15-3-0, 11-3-0 WCHA) cut the deficit to one three separate times before tying the game at 4-4 midway through the third period, but the Whitecaps prevailed on Pezon's game-winning goal late in the third.
"Well, it was a good test here for us tonight," head coach Brad Frost said. "It's nice to get our feet wet and our legs going again after being off for three weeks. It was another really competitive game against the Whitecaps, and it was a lot of fun to again be playing against a lot of our former players.
"We have some good things to put on tape that we can learn from here as we go back into conference play this weekend. We're definitely looking forward to that with Ohio State. Overall it was a good night, obviously we would have liked to find a way to get the win, but overall we played pretty well."
The Whitecaps held a 2-0 lead after the first period on goals by Rachael Bona and Thunstrom despite Minnesota outshooting the visitors, 18-11 over the opening 20 minutes.
Cara Piazza and Milica McMillen found the back of the net for the Gophers in the second period, but the Whitecaps maintained their lead. Piazza scored at the 3:34 mark of the second period to cut the deficit to one, but Bethany Brausen extended the Whitecaps' lead back to two at 3-1 at 10:18 of the middle frame. McMillen again brought the Gophers within one with 3:06 remaining in the period, and the teams headed into the second intermission with Minnesota trailing 3-2.
The teams each scored twice in the third period, including two goals by Pezon for the Whitecaps. She scored her first of the period at 7:31, but Brook Garzone responded at 9:09 to keep the Gophers within one at 4-3. Reilly then tied the game at 4-4 when she buried a rebound off a shot by McMillen just 49 seconds later, but Pezon sealed the game for the visitors with 3:40 remaining.
Sidney Peters made 22 saves for the Gophers, including a stop on a breakaway by Thunstrom midway through the second period, and Minnesota outshot the Whitecaps, 46-27. The Whitecaps received 42 saves from goaltender Alli Altmann.
Both teams were scoreless on the power play as the Gophers went 0-for-1 and the Whitecaps were 0-for-2.
Nine former Gophers were in the lineup for the Whitecaps as Bona (one goal, one assist), Brausen (one goal), Meghan Lorence, Becky Kortum, Sarah Erickson, Winny Brown, Kelly Seeler, Anne Schleper (one assist), and Katie Frischmann took on their alma mater.
The Gophers played without Hannah Brandt, Dani Cameranesi, Paige Haley, and Amanda Leveille.
Minnesota returns to WCHA action by welcoming Ohio State (7-13-0, 3-11-0 WCHA) to Ridder Arena this Saturday and Sunday. Game time is set for 2 p.m. CT both days.
Saturday's game features a giveaway for Gopher Women's Hockey Youth VIP Season Pass-holders, and game two of the series against Ohio State is Dollar Day. All general admission tickets are $1 online or at the door on Sunday.
Due to multiple University of Minnesota and outside events on campus this weekend, including the Minnesota Vikings' playoff game Sunday, fans are advised to plan ahead for increased traffic and limited parking. More information is available here: z.umn.edu/pts0116
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