University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
5-2-1)(4-1-1WCHA
Minnesota Duluth
2-6-0)(0-4-0WCHA
Gophers Sweep Bulldogs with 2-1 Win
10/21/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
DULUTH, Minn. - The No. 7 Minnesota women's hockey team scored two third-period goals to come back from a 1-0 deficit and secure a 2-1 win on the road at No. 8 Minnesota Duluth Saturday afternoon at AMSOIL Arena. Sophie Skarzynski tied the game before Caitlin Reilly scored the game-winner for the Gophers.
With the win, Minnesota (5-2-1, 4-1-1-0 WCHA) earned its second-straight WCHA sweep after a 4-1 win in game one of the series against the Bulldogs and a road sweep at Bemidji State last weekend.
Coach @FrostBrad reflects on today's 2-1 win over the Bulldogs. pic.twitter.com/UX4q4S7z6p
- Minnesota W Hockey (@GopherWHockey) October 21, 2017
Minnesota Duluth (2-6-0, 0-4-0 WCHA) held onto a one-goal lead for most of the game after Ashton Bell's first-period power play goal put the home team on the board first at the 13:36 mark of the opening period.
After a scoreless second period, Minnesota tied the game 1-1 at the 4:45 mark of the third period. Patti Marshall launched a shot from the blue line, which was tipped in front by Jackie Pieper before Skazynski buried the rebound to tie the game.
Reilly then scored the game-winner for the Gophers with 3:36 remaining. Like Minnesota's first goal, the play started with a shot from the point by Marshall. Her shot went wide and banked off the end wall to a wide-open Reilly on the weak side where she one-timed the puck past UMD netminder Jessica Convery to seal the 2-1 win.
Alex Gulstene recorded a career-high 26 saves in net for Minnesota as the final shots were 27-21 in favor of the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, Convery made 19 saves for UMD.
Minnesota Duluth converted on its lone power play of the game while the Gophers went 0-for-2 on the power play. One of the Gophers' best early scoring chances came shorthanded when Alex Woken gained control of a loose puck in the neutral zone and got through on a breakaway just moments before Bell scored for the Bulldogs.
The second period saw Minnesota turn on the pressure late in the period with a few good looks from Skarzynski and Woken, and Minnesota oushot UMD, 9-6, for the period. Minnesota Duluth hit the goal post three times during the period but did not extend its lead. The Gophers then sealed the series sweep in the third period.
Minnesota returns to Ridder Arena to host Wisconsin next Saturday and Sunday in the first Border Battle series of the year. Saturday's game is a Gold Out at Ridder Arena, and puck drop is set for 4:07 p.m. CT.
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