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Photo by: Eric Miller
Gophers Set for Border Battle in Madison
12/2/2021 10:17:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The No. 5 Golden Gophers head to Madison to face the top-ranked Badgers in the 112th and 113th meeting between the two programs.
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 5/5 Golden Gopher women's hockey team travels to Madison, Wis. to battle the top-ranked Badgers on Friday at 7:00 pm CST and Saturday at 3:00 pm CST at LaBahn Arena.
Last Time Out: Gophers Win Streak Snapped in Nashville
The Gophers (12-4-0) saw their win streak come to an end at 11 games after a 2-1 loss in the Smashville Showcase championship game against No. 8/8 Colgate. Minnesota defeated Mercyhurst 4-0 on Friday behind two-goal games from seniors Taylor Heise and Catie Skaja. Lauren Bench notched her third shutout in her Maroon and Gold career after stopping all 28 shots by the Lakers. Madeline Wethington netted the only goal for the 'U' on Saturday while freshman Skylar Vetter stopped 22 of 24 shots in an impressive effort. Taylor Heise (2g-2a), Abigail Boreen (4a), and Catie Skaja (2g-1a), all finished with multi-point weekends.
Scouting Wisconsin
The top-ranked Badgers (15-0-1) have rode the momentum from their national title to an undefeated start through the first 16 games. The border battle rivals carry two ranked victories into this weekend's series - both over No. 2/2 Ohio State. Wisconsin is led by a pair of stellar sophomores, Makenna Webster and Casey O'Brien, and fifth-year forward Daryl Watts. Webster (14g-19a) and O'Brien (16g-15a) lead the nation in points. Along with being the nation's top-scorer, Webster was named HCA National Player of the Month in October and was WCHA Forward of the Month in both October and a short September. The Badgers top netminder Kennedy Blair carries a 13-0-1 record with a 0.92 goals against average and a 95.1% save percentage.
Border Battle
This weekend's series will mark the 112th and 113th time that these two storied programs have met with the Gophers leading the series 53-45-13. Minnesota and Wisconsin are tied for the all-time lead in national titles with seven apiece.
Gophers in the National Ranks
Senior Taylor Heise currently ranks third in the nation in points (30), fourth in goals (13), and first in short-handed goals (3). Forward Peyton Hemp ranks first in the nation in points per game (1.12) by freshmen. Junior Makayla Pahl is the only goaltender in the nation to hold a perfect winning percentage (1.000) with at least seven games played.
WCHA Honors
Senior forward Taylor Heise and freshman forward Peyton Hemp were announced as November monthly award winners on Tuesday. Heise earned her first career WCHA Forward of the Month award after posting 16 points (8g-8a) and a plus-16 rating in 6 games. Hemp earned her second consecutive WCHA Rookie of the Month honor after notching seven points (2g-5a) and a plus-7 rating in 6 games. The Andover, Minn. native is the first Gopher to earn the honor twice in program history.
Scoring Milestones on the Horizon
Senior Taylor Heise is Minnesota's active career scoring leader with 124 career points (51g-73a) in 111 career games. Redshirt senior Amy Potomak (39g-46a) is closing in on 90 career points and 40 career goals. Fifth-year Emily Brown (18g-59a) and senior Emily Oden (24g-53a) are approaching 80 career points. Fifth-year Olivia Knowles (15g-50a) is nearing 70 career points. Senior Abigail Boreen (22g-29a) is in reach of 60 career points.
25th Season
The 2021-22 season marks the 25th season of Gopher women's hockey. To celebrate the first quarter-century of Gopher women's hockey, Minnesota will wear special '25 seasons' patches on their jerseys among other celebrations throughout the season.
Quest for Eighth National Title Continues
Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016) and looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2021-22.
Last Time Out: Gophers Win Streak Snapped in Nashville
The Gophers (12-4-0) saw their win streak come to an end at 11 games after a 2-1 loss in the Smashville Showcase championship game against No. 8/8 Colgate. Minnesota defeated Mercyhurst 4-0 on Friday behind two-goal games from seniors Taylor Heise and Catie Skaja. Lauren Bench notched her third shutout in her Maroon and Gold career after stopping all 28 shots by the Lakers. Madeline Wethington netted the only goal for the 'U' on Saturday while freshman Skylar Vetter stopped 22 of 24 shots in an impressive effort. Taylor Heise (2g-2a), Abigail Boreen (4a), and Catie Skaja (2g-1a), all finished with multi-point weekends.
Scouting Wisconsin
The top-ranked Badgers (15-0-1) have rode the momentum from their national title to an undefeated start through the first 16 games. The border battle rivals carry two ranked victories into this weekend's series - both over No. 2/2 Ohio State. Wisconsin is led by a pair of stellar sophomores, Makenna Webster and Casey O'Brien, and fifth-year forward Daryl Watts. Webster (14g-19a) and O'Brien (16g-15a) lead the nation in points. Along with being the nation's top-scorer, Webster was named HCA National Player of the Month in October and was WCHA Forward of the Month in both October and a short September. The Badgers top netminder Kennedy Blair carries a 13-0-1 record with a 0.92 goals against average and a 95.1% save percentage.
Border Battle
This weekend's series will mark the 112th and 113th time that these two storied programs have met with the Gophers leading the series 53-45-13. Minnesota and Wisconsin are tied for the all-time lead in national titles with seven apiece.
Gophers in the National Ranks
Senior Taylor Heise currently ranks third in the nation in points (30), fourth in goals (13), and first in short-handed goals (3). Forward Peyton Hemp ranks first in the nation in points per game (1.12) by freshmen. Junior Makayla Pahl is the only goaltender in the nation to hold a perfect winning percentage (1.000) with at least seven games played.
WCHA Honors
Senior forward Taylor Heise and freshman forward Peyton Hemp were announced as November monthly award winners on Tuesday. Heise earned her first career WCHA Forward of the Month award after posting 16 points (8g-8a) and a plus-16 rating in 6 games. Hemp earned her second consecutive WCHA Rookie of the Month honor after notching seven points (2g-5a) and a plus-7 rating in 6 games. The Andover, Minn. native is the first Gopher to earn the honor twice in program history.
Scoring Milestones on the Horizon
Senior Taylor Heise is Minnesota's active career scoring leader with 124 career points (51g-73a) in 111 career games. Redshirt senior Amy Potomak (39g-46a) is closing in on 90 career points and 40 career goals. Fifth-year Emily Brown (18g-59a) and senior Emily Oden (24g-53a) are approaching 80 career points. Fifth-year Olivia Knowles (15g-50a) is nearing 70 career points. Senior Abigail Boreen (22g-29a) is in reach of 60 career points.
25th Season
The 2021-22 season marks the 25th season of Gopher women's hockey. To celebrate the first quarter-century of Gopher women's hockey, Minnesota will wear special '25 seasons' patches on their jerseys among other celebrations throughout the season.
Quest for Eighth National Title Continues
Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016) and looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2021-22.
Cinematic Recap: Field Trip Game
Tuesday, November 25
Gopher Round Table: Women's Hockey
Monday, November 24
Highlights: Gophers 1, Minnesota State 4
Saturday, November 22
Highlights: Gophers 1, Minnesota State 3
Friday, November 21