University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
6-4-1, 5-3-1-0WCHA
Minnesota State
2-6-1, 1-4-0-0WCHA
Gophers Cruise Past Mavericks
11/3/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MANKATO, Minn. - The line of Grace Zumwinkle, Cara Piazza, and Kippin Keller combined for 10 points and Sierra Smith scored her first collegiate goal as the No. 6 University of Minnesota women's hockey team skated to a 6-1 win over Minnesota State at the Verizon Center Friday night.
Minnesota (6-4-1, 5-3-1-0 WCHA) received points from 11 different players led by Zumwinkle's first-career multi-point game (1g-3a) along with multi-point efforts from linemates Piazza (1g-2a) and Keller (1g-2a). Sidney Peters made 23 saves as the Gophers outshot the Mavericks, 37-24.
"Really good effort here tonight, I'm proud of the team," head coach Brad Frost said. "In particular in the second period there, to score four was really big for us."
After a scoreless first period, the Gophers erupted for four second-period goals. Smith then scored early in the third period to put the Maroon & Gold up by five. Minnesota State (2-6-1, 1-4-0 WCHA) got on the board with 2:15 remaining, but Keller answered to seal the 6-1 win for Minnesota.
"Some great moments out there tonight," Frost said. "Sid Peters played exceptionally well. It was unfortunate that we gave that one up there close to the end, but great response coming back after that and scoring on the next shift. Sierra Smith with her first goal as a Gopher was a real special moment, and overall it was a really good game. We're excited about the opportunity to get back at it tomorrow."
The teams played a scoreless first period but were not without opportunities. The Gophers did not convert on their first power-play opportunity but also held off Minnesota State on a four-minute power play when Reilly was assessed double minors late in the opening frame.
Zumwinkle then scored her first even-strength goal of her career just 1:22 into the second period with assists credited to Piazza and Keller.
Co-captains Piazza and Sydney Baldwin then extended the lead for the Maroon & Gold. Piazza scored her third goal of the season at the 3:16 mark of the second period, and Baldwin netted a power-play goal at the 6:08 mark.
Nicole Schammel rounded out the second-period scoring with the Gophers' second-straight power-play goal, extending Minnesota's lead to 4-0 with 7:15 remaining in the frame.
Smith made it 5-0 when she scored her first career goal off a pass from Jackie Pieper at the 5:39 mark of the third period. The teams exchanged goals in the game's final minutes as MSU's Corbin Boyd spoiled the Gophers' shutout with 2:15 remaining but Keller responded just 11 seconds later to make it 6-1.
For the game, Minnesota was perfect on the penalty kill, holding Minnesota State to 0-for-5 on the power play. Meanwhile, the Gophers' power-play converted twice at 2-for-5.
The Gophers and Mavericks wrap up this weekend's WCHA series at 3 p.m. CT Saturday afternoon.
Coach @FrostBrad shares his thoughts on tonight's W. 🤗 pic.twitter.com/UfFoClsbNk
- Minnesota W Hockey (@GopherWHockey) November 4, 2017
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