University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
3-2-1 (2-1-1WCHA)
Bemidji State
1-4-1 (0-1-0-1WCHA)
Gophers Complete Sweep with 4-3 OT Win
10/14/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
BEMIDJI, Minn. - Sydney Baldwin scored the game-winning goal in overtime to secure a 4-3 win and WCHA series sweep for the University of Minnesota women's hockey team at the Sanford Center Saturday afternoon.
Minnesota (3-2-1, 2-1-1-0 WCHA) received goals in regulation from Nicole Schammel, Patti Marshall, and Caitlin Reilly before Baldwin scored her first goal of the year at the 1:04 mark of overtime to put the game away.
"Great hockey game here tonight, certainly exciting to win in overtime," head coach Brad Frost said. "To go into overtime two weeks in a row and win this one was a lot of fun."
Reilly led the Gophers with three points (1g-2a) while Baldwin (1g-1a) and Olivia Knowles (2a) each posted two points. Sidney Peters made 20 saves in her second-straight win as Minnesota outshot Bemidji State, 26-23, including the only two shots in overtime.
"I think our team came a long way this weekend," Frost said. "Doing some great things, coming together as a team -- our compete level was great. We we're perfect, but overall we were really, really good. I think we're continuing to improve and taking the next step."
The win marked the 600th win for the Gopher women's hockey program, which is in its 21st season and is celebrating the first 20 years of the program throughout the year. Minnesota's all-time record now stands at 600-122-50.
Bemidji State (1-4-1, 0-2-0-0 WCHA) got on the board first with a goal by Summer Thibodeau at the 13:49 mark of the opening frame, but the Gophers answered back before the end of the period when Schammel netted her third goal of the season with just 3.2 seconds remaining off a feed from Reilly and Baldwin.
Marshall then gave the Gophers a 2-1 lead with 11:43 remaining in the second period when she fired a shot from the point through traffic past netminder Lauren Bench. Grace Zumwinkle and Kippin Keller picked up assists on the play.
Bemidji State tied the game at 2-2 at the 15:38 mark of the second period with a goal by Mak Langei, but the Maroon & Gold took the lead back when Reilly snuck one past Bench with just 13 seconds remaining in the middle frame. The Gophers took a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.
BSU's Emma Terres then scored at the 4:44 mark of the third period to tie the game for the third time at 3-3, but Minnesota again responded when Baldwin netted the winning goal in overtime.
Neither team scored on the power play as Minnesota was 0-for-3 while holding BSU to 0-for-1.
Minnesota remains on the road next weekend when the team travels to Duluth, Minn., to face Minnesota Duluth in a Friday/Saturday series. Puck drop is set for 3:37 p.m. CT both days at AMSOIL Arena.
Hear from Coach @FrostBrad following today's 4-3 OT win and series sweep on the road at Bemidji State. pic.twitter.com/1xnjl4RzaX
- Minnesota W Hockey (@GopherWHockey) October 14, 2017
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