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Photo by: Bjorn Franke
Minnesota Rings in the New Year with a New Opponent
1/6/2022 4:18:00 PM | Women's Hockey
The Gophers are set to face WCHA newcomers St. Thomas for the first time on Saturday at Ridder Arena and Sunday at St. Thomas Ice Arena.
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 5 Golden Gopher women's hockey team opens the second half of the season with its first series against new WCHA rival St. Thomas at 4:00 pm on Saturday at Ridder Arena and at 2:00 pm on Sunday at St. Thomas Ice Arena.
Last Time Out: Gophers Close Out 2021 with a Split
The Gophers (14-5-1) closed out 2021 with a series split with No. 7/9 Minnesota Duluth at Ridder Arena. The Gophers dropped the series opener 3-2 to the Bulldogs following three third period tallies from the visitors. Friday's defeat was the first this season in which Minnesota held a lead after two periods. Catie Skaja and Amy Potomak lit the lamp for the Maroon and Gold. On Saturday, Minnesota bounced back and secured a 2-1 victory to finish the first half of the season on a high note. Makayla Pahl improved her record to a perfect 6-0-0 following a 24-save performance. Audrey Wethington and Peyton Hemp each tallied a first period goal in the contest. Both goals were assisted by senior defender Crystalyn Hengler. Hengler (2a), Potomak (1g-1a), and Wethington (1g-1a) all recorded multi-point weekends.
Scouting St. Thomas
St. Thomas (4-13-1) is in the midst of an eight-game losing streak. Following their first series sweep in program history over RIT in October, the Tommies have suffered series defeats to Ohio State, Wisconsin, Minnesota State, and Lindenwood. St. Thomas boasts a newly-named WCHA Rookie of the Month in defenseman Nicole Vallario and a two-time WCHA Rookie of the Week winner in freshman goaltender Saskia Maurer. The Tommies are led in points by freshman forward Abby Promersberger (4g-4a), Vallario (4g-3a), and freshman forward Lauren Stenslie (2g-4a).
Scoring First
Through 20 games so far this season, Minnesota has gotten on the scoresheet first in all, but two games. The last time the Gophers were scored on first to open a contest was Oct. 22 at Colgate. The Maroon and Gold are 13-4-1 in games where they find the back of the net first and 1-1-0 in games in which the opponent scores first. Senior forward Taylor Heise leads the team with six opening goals this season, including two goals inside the opening 40 seconds.
The Birth of a Rivalry
Saturday's matchup with St. Thomas will be the first-ever Division I meeting between the two teams. With the Tommies entrance into the WCHA and the two campuses being less than three miles from one another, the stage is set for another in-state rivalry to begin. The Gophers are 446-96-45 all-time against WCHA opponents.
Bally Sports North
Saturday's matchup at Ridder Arena will be televised on Bally Sports North and streamed on B1G+. The voice of Gopher Women's Hockey, Dan Hamann, and former national champion and Gopher alumna Sydney Baldwin will be on the call. Puck drop is slated for 4:00 pm CST.
Scoring Milestones on the HorizonÂ
Senior Taylor Heise is Minnesota's active career scoring leader with 125 career points (52g-73a) in 115 career games. Redshirt senior Amy Potomak (40g-47a) is closing in on 90 career points. Fifth-year Emily Brown (18g-60a) and senior Emily Oden (25g-54a) are approaching 80 career points. Fifth-year Olivia Knowles (15g-52a) is nearing 70 career points. Senior Abigail Boreen (22g-31a) 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.
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Last Time Out: Gophers Close Out 2021 with a Split
The Gophers (14-5-1) closed out 2021 with a series split with No. 7/9 Minnesota Duluth at Ridder Arena. The Gophers dropped the series opener 3-2 to the Bulldogs following three third period tallies from the visitors. Friday's defeat was the first this season in which Minnesota held a lead after two periods. Catie Skaja and Amy Potomak lit the lamp for the Maroon and Gold. On Saturday, Minnesota bounced back and secured a 2-1 victory to finish the first half of the season on a high note. Makayla Pahl improved her record to a perfect 6-0-0 following a 24-save performance. Audrey Wethington and Peyton Hemp each tallied a first period goal in the contest. Both goals were assisted by senior defender Crystalyn Hengler. Hengler (2a), Potomak (1g-1a), and Wethington (1g-1a) all recorded multi-point weekends.
Scouting St. Thomas
St. Thomas (4-13-1) is in the midst of an eight-game losing streak. Following their first series sweep in program history over RIT in October, the Tommies have suffered series defeats to Ohio State, Wisconsin, Minnesota State, and Lindenwood. St. Thomas boasts a newly-named WCHA Rookie of the Month in defenseman Nicole Vallario and a two-time WCHA Rookie of the Week winner in freshman goaltender Saskia Maurer. The Tommies are led in points by freshman forward Abby Promersberger (4g-4a), Vallario (4g-3a), and freshman forward Lauren Stenslie (2g-4a).
Scoring First
Through 20 games so far this season, Minnesota has gotten on the scoresheet first in all, but two games. The last time the Gophers were scored on first to open a contest was Oct. 22 at Colgate. The Maroon and Gold are 13-4-1 in games where they find the back of the net first and 1-1-0 in games in which the opponent scores first. Senior forward Taylor Heise leads the team with six opening goals this season, including two goals inside the opening 40 seconds.
The Birth of a Rivalry
Saturday's matchup with St. Thomas will be the first-ever Division I meeting between the two teams. With the Tommies entrance into the WCHA and the two campuses being less than three miles from one another, the stage is set for another in-state rivalry to begin. The Gophers are 446-96-45 all-time against WCHA opponents.
Bally Sports North
Saturday's matchup at Ridder Arena will be televised on Bally Sports North and streamed on B1G+. The voice of Gopher Women's Hockey, Dan Hamann, and former national champion and Gopher alumna Sydney Baldwin will be on the call. Puck drop is slated for 4:00 pm CST.
Scoring Milestones on the HorizonÂ
Senior Taylor Heise is Minnesota's active career scoring leader with 125 career points (52g-73a) in 115 career games. Redshirt senior Amy Potomak (40g-47a) is closing in on 90 career points. Fifth-year Emily Brown (18g-60a) and senior Emily Oden (25g-54a) are approaching 80 career points. Fifth-year Olivia Knowles (15g-52a) is nearing 70 career points. Senior Abigail Boreen (22g-31a) 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.
Â
Highlights: Gophers 4, St. Thomas 1
Saturday, December 06
Highlights: Gophers 5, St. Thomas 3
Friday, December 05
Cinematic Recap: Field Trip Game
Tuesday, November 25
Gopher Round Table: Women's Hockey
Monday, November 24