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Gophers, Bulldogs Set for NCAA Rematch
3/10/2023 2:31:00 PM | Women's Hockey
The winner will advance to the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four in Duluth, Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 2 Golden Gopher women's hockey team (29-5-3) will face No. 7 Minnesota Duluth (26-9-3) in the 2023 NCAA Minneapolis Regional Final at Ridder Arena on Saturday at 2:00 pm. The winner will advance to the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four in Duluth, Minn. Saturday's game will be available via a free stream on B1G+.
Last Time Out
Last weekend, Minnesota claimed its eighth WCHA tournament title in program history following a 3-1 win over Ohio State on Saturday, March 4. The #Gophers took down Wisconsin, 4-2, on Friday behind goals from Madison Kaiser, Madeline Wethington, Abbey Murphy and Catie Skaja. The Gophers avenged the loss to the Buckeyes from last year's tournament behind goals from Savannah Norcross, Abbey Murphy and Peyton Hemp. Skylar Vetter was stellar all weekend, stopping 57 total shots for her 25th and 26th wins on the season. Taylor Heise, Hemp, Murphy, Wethington and Vetter were all named to the WCHA All-Tournament Team.
The Rematch
The Gophers and Bulldogs will meet 364 days after Minnesota Duluth defeated Minnesota, 2-1, in the 2022 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal at Ridder Arena. UMD defeated Clarkson, 2-0, on Thursday evening to advance to its second-consecutive regional final. Bulldog defender Taylor Stewart scored both goals in the win. WCHA Goaltender of the Year Emma Soderberg stopped all 14 shots in her NCAA-leading 12th shutout of the season.
Murphy Magic
Sophomore forward Abbey Murphy has been on a goal-scoring tear for Minnesota. Murphy has scored one goal in each of her last eight games with 10 goals in her last 10 games since the start of February. The Evergreen Park, Ill., native currently ranks second in the NCAA in total goals (28) and power play goals (8).
60-Point Scorers
For the first time since the 2015-16 season, Minnesota has two players with 60 points in a season. Taylor Heise (65) and Grace Zumwinkle (60) are the first Gopher duo to reach that mark since Dani Cameranesi (66) and Hannah Brandt (61). Heise (2nd) and Zumwinkle (3rd) each rank inside the top three in the nation in points.
High-Octane Offense
Minnesota continues to rank first in the nation in scoring offense in goals-per-game (4.65). The Gophers have scored 172 goals in 37 games this season with six or more goals in 11 different games. Minnesota has three players at the top of the NCAA in goals as Taylor Heise (29), Abbey Murphy (28) and Grace Zumwinkle (25) each rank inside the top five in the nation.
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 33/117 (.282) power plays this season. Minnesota has scored on the power play in 24-of-37 games this season. Abbey Murphy ranks second in the nation in power-play goals with eight. The Maroon and Gold also rank second in the nation in shorthanded goals with nine. Taylor Heise is tied for second in the nation with four SHG this season.
Career Record Watch
Fifth-year forward Grace Zumwinkle currently sits in third place in program history in career goals with 109. Fifth-year forward Taylor Heise continues to climb the program ranks as she currently sits in sixth place in program history in points with 225 (96g-129a) in 171 career games. Heise trails Nadine Muzerall by 10 points for fifth. Her 129 assists also rank fifth in program history, trailing Krissy Wendell by two for the next spot in the rankings.
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 471-98-38 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
Last weekend, Minnesota claimed its eighth WCHA tournament title in program history following a 3-1 win over Ohio State on Saturday, March 4. The #Gophers took down Wisconsin, 4-2, on Friday behind goals from Madison Kaiser, Madeline Wethington, Abbey Murphy and Catie Skaja. The Gophers avenged the loss to the Buckeyes from last year's tournament behind goals from Savannah Norcross, Abbey Murphy and Peyton Hemp. Skylar Vetter was stellar all weekend, stopping 57 total shots for her 25th and 26th wins on the season. Taylor Heise, Hemp, Murphy, Wethington and Vetter were all named to the WCHA All-Tournament Team.
The Rematch
The Gophers and Bulldogs will meet 364 days after Minnesota Duluth defeated Minnesota, 2-1, in the 2022 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal at Ridder Arena. UMD defeated Clarkson, 2-0, on Thursday evening to advance to its second-consecutive regional final. Bulldog defender Taylor Stewart scored both goals in the win. WCHA Goaltender of the Year Emma Soderberg stopped all 14 shots in her NCAA-leading 12th shutout of the season.
Murphy Magic
Sophomore forward Abbey Murphy has been on a goal-scoring tear for Minnesota. Murphy has scored one goal in each of her last eight games with 10 goals in her last 10 games since the start of February. The Evergreen Park, Ill., native currently ranks second in the NCAA in total goals (28) and power play goals (8).
60-Point Scorers
For the first time since the 2015-16 season, Minnesota has two players with 60 points in a season. Taylor Heise (65) and Grace Zumwinkle (60) are the first Gopher duo to reach that mark since Dani Cameranesi (66) and Hannah Brandt (61). Heise (2nd) and Zumwinkle (3rd) each rank inside the top three in the nation in points.
High-Octane Offense
Minnesota continues to rank first in the nation in scoring offense in goals-per-game (4.65). The Gophers have scored 172 goals in 37 games this season with six or more goals in 11 different games. Minnesota has three players at the top of the NCAA in goals as Taylor Heise (29), Abbey Murphy (28) and Grace Zumwinkle (25) each rank inside the top five in the nation.
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 33/117 (.282) power plays this season. Minnesota has scored on the power play in 24-of-37 games this season. Abbey Murphy ranks second in the nation in power-play goals with eight. The Maroon and Gold also rank second in the nation in shorthanded goals with nine. Taylor Heise is tied for second in the nation with four SHG this season.
Career Record Watch
Fifth-year forward Grace Zumwinkle currently sits in third place in program history in career goals with 109. Fifth-year forward Taylor Heise continues to climb the program ranks as she currently sits in sixth place in program history in points with 225 (96g-129a) in 171 career games. Heise trails Nadine Muzerall by 10 points for fifth. Her 129 assists also rank fifth in program history, trailing Krissy Wendell by two for the next spot in the rankings.
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 471-98-38 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.
NCAA Hockey Hype
Friday, March 13
Ridder Arena Transformation
Friday, March 13
WCHA Postseason Hype
Monday, March 02
Highlights: Gophers 6, St. Cloud State 1
Sunday, March 01