University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
'U' to Close Out Regular Season at St. Thomas
2/16/2023 8:02:00 PM | Women's Hockey
The No. 4 Gophers are 8-0-0 against the Tommies in the all-time series.
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 4/4 Golden Gopher women's hockey team (23-5-3) travels to Mendota Heights to face the St. Thomas Tommies for the final series of the regular season on Friday and Saturday at St. Thomas Ice Arena. Both games are set for 6:00 p.m. CT with Saturday's being televised on FOX9+.
Last Time Out
In front of back-to-back record crowds at Ridder Arena, No. 3 Minnesota took one-of-six points from No. 8 Wisconsin. On Friday, The Gophers outshot the Badgers 24-5 in the third period and overtime but could not find the game-winning goal and settled for a tie. Wisconsin won the shootout, 1-0, to take the extra point. On Saturday, the Gophers allowed at least seven goals for the first time since 2016 to drop the series finale 7-5. Taylor Heise tallied three goals in the series.
Scouting the Opposition
St. Thomas (8-23-1) (3-22-1 WCHA) has posted a 1-7-0 record since the Gophers and Tommies last met. After getting outscored 11-1 by top-ranked Ohio State last weekend, UST is now 0-13-1 this season against ranked teams. The Tommies are led in scoring by sophomore defender Maddy Clough (6g-6a), and fifth-year forwards Anna Solheim (3g-8a) and Gabby Billing (5g-5a). Goaltenders Saskia Maurer (552) and Alexa Dobchuk (400) have combined for over 900 saves and have allowed St. Thomas to average 3.50 goals-per game.
Race for the WCHA
Minnesota currently sits in second place in the WCHA regular season standings with a 20-3-3 record (63 points). The 'U' is three points behind Ohio State (66 points) in the race for the Julianne Bye Cup. To receive at least a share of the WCHA title, Minnesota will need to sweep St. Thomas AND Wisconsin will need to defeat Ohio State in regulation once. Minnesota can also earn a share of the title with a split against St. Thomas AND a sweep in regulation by Wisconsin over Ohio State.
High-Octane Offense
After adding seven goals last weekend, Minnesota continues to rank first in the nation in scoring offense in goals-per-game (4.71). The Gophers have scored 146 goals in 31 games this season with six or more goals in 9 different games. Minnesota has four players at the top of the WCHA in goals as Taylor Heise (23), Grace Zumwinkle (22), Abbey Murphy (22) rank 1-3 in the conference.
Special Teams Success
Minnesota's special teams have been clicking offensively with and without the extra-skater advantage. The Gophers' power play currently ranks second in the nation while converting on 29/103 (.282) power plays this season. Minnesota has scored on the power play in 20-of-31 games this season. The Maroon and Gold also rank first in the nation in shorthanded goals with 9. Taylor Heise is tied for first in the nation with 4 SHG this season.
Scoring Milestones on the Horizon
Fifth-year forward Taylor Heise continues to climb the program ranks as she currently sits in 7th place in program history in points with 213 (90g-123a) in 165 career games. Heise trails Kelly Stephens by 6 points for sixth place all-time. Her 123 assists rank fifth in program history, trailing Krissy Wendell by eight for the next spot in the rankings. Grace Zumwinkle entered the top-10 in program history in career points (199). The fifth-year forward scored her 106th career goal on Saturday, tying Krissy Wendell for fourth place in program history. Zumwinkle is now trailing Amanda Kessel for third place by two goals.
Behind the Bench
Head coach Brad Frost is back for his 16th season as the bench boss of Gopher Women's Hockey. Under Frost's guidance, the program has posted a 465-98-38 record with four national titles and seven conference titles. Associate head coach Natalie Darwitz is back behind the bench for her fourth season and is joined by assistant coach Jessica Scott, who served as the program's Director of Operations for the last three seasons.
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 2022-23.
Last Time Out
In front of back-to-back record crowds at Ridder Arena, No. 3 Minnesota took one-of-six points from No. 8 Wisconsin. On Friday, The Gophers outshot the Badgers 24-5 in the third period and overtime but could not find the game-winning goal and settled for a tie. Wisconsin won the shootout, 1-0, to take the extra point. On Saturday, the Gophers allowed at least seven goals for the first time since 2016 to drop the series finale 7-5. Taylor Heise tallied three goals in the series.
Scouting the Opposition
St. Thomas (8-23-1) (3-22-1 WCHA) has posted a 1-7-0 record since the Gophers and Tommies last met. After getting outscored 11-1 by top-ranked Ohio State last weekend, UST is now 0-13-1 this season against ranked teams. The Tommies are led in scoring by sophomore defender Maddy Clough (6g-6a), and fifth-year forwards Anna Solheim (3g-8a) and Gabby Billing (5g-5a). Goaltenders Saskia Maurer (552) and Alexa Dobchuk (400) have combined for over 900 saves and have allowed St. Thomas to average 3.50 goals-per game.
Race for the WCHA
Minnesota currently sits in second place in the WCHA regular season standings with a 20-3-3 record (63 points). The 'U' is three points behind Ohio State (66 points) in the race for the Julianne Bye Cup. To receive at least a share of the WCHA title, Minnesota will need to sweep St. Thomas AND Wisconsin will need to defeat Ohio State in regulation once. Minnesota can also earn a share of the title with a split against St. Thomas AND a sweep in regulation by Wisconsin over Ohio State.
High-Octane Offense
After adding seven goals last weekend, Minnesota continues to rank first in the nation in scoring offense in goals-per-game (4.71). The Gophers have scored 146 goals in 31 games this season with six or more goals in 9 different games. Minnesota has four players at the top of the WCHA in goals as Taylor Heise (23), Grace Zumwinkle (22), Abbey Murphy (22) rank 1-3 in the conference.
Special Teams Success
Minnesota's special teams have been clicking offensively with and without the extra-skater advantage. The Gophers' power play currently ranks second in the nation while converting on 29/103 (.282) power plays this season. Minnesota has scored on the power play in 20-of-31 games this season. The Maroon and Gold also rank first in the nation in shorthanded goals with 9. Taylor Heise is tied for first in the nation with 4 SHG this season.
Scoring Milestones on the Horizon
Fifth-year forward Taylor Heise continues to climb the program ranks as she currently sits in 7th place in program history in points with 213 (90g-123a) in 165 career games. Heise trails Kelly Stephens by 6 points for sixth place all-time. Her 123 assists rank fifth in program history, trailing Krissy Wendell by eight for the next spot in the rankings. Grace Zumwinkle entered the top-10 in program history in career points (199). The fifth-year forward scored her 106th career goal on Saturday, tying Krissy Wendell for fourth place in program history. Zumwinkle is now trailing Amanda Kessel for third place by two goals.
Behind the Bench
Head coach Brad Frost is back for his 16th season as the bench boss of Gopher Women's Hockey. Under Frost's guidance, the program has posted a 465-98-38 record with four national titles and seven conference titles. Associate head coach Natalie Darwitz is back behind the bench for her fourth season and is joined by assistant coach Jessica Scott, who served as the program's Director of Operations for the last three seasons.
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 2022-23.
Highlights: Gophers 2, UMD 3
Friday, February 20
Highlights: Gophers 2, Ohio State 4
Friday, February 13
Highlights: Gophers 1, Ohio State 2
Saturday, February 07
Highlights: Gophers 1, St. Thomas 1
Saturday, February 07