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Gophers Set for Border Battle Series With Badgers
12/7/2023 11:06:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The No. 2 ranked Golden Gopher women's hockey team (13-2-1) is set for a top-3 matchup with border rival No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers (13-3-0) for a weekend series at Ridder Arena on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold secured a shootout win on Tuesday in St. Cloud, adding two points to their point total in the standings after finishing their matchup with the Huskies 1-1. Before Tuesday's matchup at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, the Gophers swept Bemidji State after meetings on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2.
Rematch With the Badgers
Minnesota last played Wisconsin on March 17, a game that ended the Gophers' season. They now look to get back in the win column against a Badgers team that ranks one spot below them in both the USCHO weekly poll and the USA Hockey/The Rink Live poll. Minnesota's team looks different than the one that skated in March, but has found plenty of success so far in 2023-24.
Scouting the Badgers
Wisconsin returns 16 letterwinners from last year's national champion squad, including Caroline Harvey, Kristen Simms and Britta Curl. Curl and Simms are tied for third in the nation in points per game, both sitting at an average of two. Ranking eighth and ninth are Lacey Eden and Casey O'Brian, totaling four Badgers in the top 10 of that category. Wisconsin leads the nation in scoring, registering 89 goals through 16 games played. However, Minnesota's defense has proved to be a significant strength, as they've allowed more than one goal in just two games this season.
Multiple Gopher Contributors
The Maroon and Gold have had various players make an impact to start the year. Redshirt junior Abbey Murphy has led the scoring charge, scoring 19 goals in 16 games to start the season. Junior Ella Huber has registered 21 points in the first 16 games (8g, 13a). Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven times, stepping up on the Gophers' offensive attack. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has scored three goals and added 10 assists this season. A. Lindsay and Kreisz, often linemates, have flashed tremendous chemistry in their first year with the Gophers. Nelli Laitinen has found the back of the net five times, becoming a major contributor for the Maroon and Gold in her sophomore campaign.
Murphy Magic
Abbey Murphy was named WCHA Forward of the Week on Nov. 27 following her performance in Washington, D.C against Harvard and Cornell. Just three days later, she was named WCHA Forward of the Month. Murphy compiled eight points against Bemidji State on Dec. 1 & 2, scoring four goals and adding four assists.
Stout Goaltending
Skylar Vetter set the program record with 52 saves against Ohio State on Oct. 27, beating the previous record of 51 set by Noora Raty. Vetter has recorded two shutouts so far this season. Fifth-year transfer Lucy Morgan has also recorded a shutout this season, providing the Gophers high-quality depth. Morgan and Vetter each allowed just one goal in wins against Bemidji State on Dec. 1 & 2, while Vetter held St. Cloud State to one goal on Dec. 5.
Defense Acting as an Anchor
Taylor Stewart, Madeline Wethington and Solveig Neunzert have been key pieces to a strong Minnesota defense this season. They've allowed one or zero goals in 14 of 16 games this season. Nelli Laitinen has taken a step forward in her sophomore season, scoring five goals and assisting six goals in 16 games.
Captains Leading the Way
Junior Peyton Hemp was named team captain this fall for the first time in her career, while Madeline Wethington, Abbey Murphy and Ella Huber were named assistant captains, also the first time they've worn a letter. All three of the Gopher leaders have made their presence felt thus far in 2023-24, with Murphy scoring 19 goals, Huber registering 21 points, Hemp scoring seven goals and assisting eight times, and M. Wethington scoring two goals and assisting seven goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Ava Lindsay has not only scored seven goals so far, but made timely plays. Her goal against Harvard on Nov. 24 was critical in a 3-1 win. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has also given Minnesota a boost, recording three assists over games on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense.
Scoring Milestones on the Horizon
After adding 31 points in the first 16 games, Abbey Murphy now sits at 99 career points (56g, 43a), just one point away from the century mark. Madeline Wethington also added to her pursuit of 100 career points by scoring two goals and seven assists so far this year. She now sits at 85 career points (24g, 61a). Peyton Hemp sits at 75 career points (35g, 40a) after the Gophers' first 16 games in 2023-24.
Quest for Eighth National Title
Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016) and looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2023-24.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold secured a shootout win on Tuesday in St. Cloud, adding two points to their point total in the standings after finishing their matchup with the Huskies 1-1. Before Tuesday's matchup at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, the Gophers swept Bemidji State after meetings on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2.
Rematch With the Badgers
Minnesota last played Wisconsin on March 17, a game that ended the Gophers' season. They now look to get back in the win column against a Badgers team that ranks one spot below them in both the USCHO weekly poll and the USA Hockey/The Rink Live poll. Minnesota's team looks different than the one that skated in March, but has found plenty of success so far in 2023-24.
Scouting the Badgers
Wisconsin returns 16 letterwinners from last year's national champion squad, including Caroline Harvey, Kristen Simms and Britta Curl. Curl and Simms are tied for third in the nation in points per game, both sitting at an average of two. Ranking eighth and ninth are Lacey Eden and Casey O'Brian, totaling four Badgers in the top 10 of that category. Wisconsin leads the nation in scoring, registering 89 goals through 16 games played. However, Minnesota's defense has proved to be a significant strength, as they've allowed more than one goal in just two games this season.
Multiple Gopher Contributors
The Maroon and Gold have had various players make an impact to start the year. Redshirt junior Abbey Murphy has led the scoring charge, scoring 19 goals in 16 games to start the season. Junior Ella Huber has registered 21 points in the first 16 games (8g, 13a). Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven times, stepping up on the Gophers' offensive attack. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has scored three goals and added 10 assists this season. A. Lindsay and Kreisz, often linemates, have flashed tremendous chemistry in their first year with the Gophers. Nelli Laitinen has found the back of the net five times, becoming a major contributor for the Maroon and Gold in her sophomore campaign.
Murphy Magic
Abbey Murphy was named WCHA Forward of the Week on Nov. 27 following her performance in Washington, D.C against Harvard and Cornell. Just three days later, she was named WCHA Forward of the Month. Murphy compiled eight points against Bemidji State on Dec. 1 & 2, scoring four goals and adding four assists.
Stout Goaltending
Skylar Vetter set the program record with 52 saves against Ohio State on Oct. 27, beating the previous record of 51 set by Noora Raty. Vetter has recorded two shutouts so far this season. Fifth-year transfer Lucy Morgan has also recorded a shutout this season, providing the Gophers high-quality depth. Morgan and Vetter each allowed just one goal in wins against Bemidji State on Dec. 1 & 2, while Vetter held St. Cloud State to one goal on Dec. 5.
Defense Acting as an Anchor
Taylor Stewart, Madeline Wethington and Solveig Neunzert have been key pieces to a strong Minnesota defense this season. They've allowed one or zero goals in 14 of 16 games this season. Nelli Laitinen has taken a step forward in her sophomore season, scoring five goals and assisting six goals in 16 games.
Captains Leading the Way
Junior Peyton Hemp was named team captain this fall for the first time in her career, while Madeline Wethington, Abbey Murphy and Ella Huber were named assistant captains, also the first time they've worn a letter. All three of the Gopher leaders have made their presence felt thus far in 2023-24, with Murphy scoring 19 goals, Huber registering 21 points, Hemp scoring seven goals and assisting eight times, and M. Wethington scoring two goals and assisting seven goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Ava Lindsay has not only scored seven goals so far, but made timely plays. Her goal against Harvard on Nov. 24 was critical in a 3-1 win. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has also given Minnesota a boost, recording three assists over games on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense.
Scoring Milestones on the Horizon
After adding 31 points in the first 16 games, Abbey Murphy now sits at 99 career points (56g, 43a), just one point away from the century mark. Madeline Wethington also added to her pursuit of 100 career points by scoring two goals and seven assists so far this year. She now sits at 85 career points (24g, 61a). Peyton Hemp sits at 75 career points (35g, 40a) after the Gophers' first 16 games in 2023-24.
Quest for Eighth National Title
Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016) and looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2023-24.
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