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Gophers Head to Bemidji for Weekend Series with Beavers
1/18/2024 4:00:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 4/5 ranked Minnesota Gopher women's hockey team (16-5-1) is back in action this weekend for a series with Bemidji State (3-18-1). The Gophers will travel to Bemidji to take on the Beavers on Friday, Jan. 19 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3:00 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold looks to bounce back this week after falling to No. 1 Ohio State on Friday and Saturday of last week. The 'U' was shut out for the first time since Jan. 5, 2021 in Friday's contest as the team was only able to put up 20 shots against a tough Buckeye defense. On Saturday, the score was knotted at zero after one period before Ohio State pulled away in period two. Madison Kaiser scored the lone goal of the weekend for the Gophers on an assist from Peyton Hemp.
Scouting the Beavers
Bemidji State has struggled to pick up wins this season, recording three in 22 games. The Beavers have not scored a goal since Dec. 29 when they beat Robert Morris at the Battle of the Burgh. Their games against the Gophers this weekend will represent their third-straight matchup against a top-10 opponent after facing Colgate and Minnesota Duluth in the previous three games. Freshman Hailey Armstrong leads the Beavers in goals (9) while senior Taylor Nelson stands atop the leaderboard in points (11). The Gophers swept the first series with the Beavers this season with a 9-2 win on Dec. 1 and 9-1 win on Dec. 2.
Multiple Gopher Contributors
The Maroon and Gold have had various players make an impact this season. Redshirt junior Abbey Murphy has led the scoring charge with 22 goals in 22 games this season. Sophomore Josefin Bouveng and junior Ella Huber have each registered 23 points in the first 22 games. Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven times, and fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has scored three goals and added 12 assists. Nelli Laitinen has found the back of the net six times and assisted on nine goals. Overall, the Gophers have nine players with double-digit points so far this season.
Murphy Magic
Murphy currently sits in the top-10 in the nation in five major offensive categories. Her 22 goals for the season leads the nation, while her 1.00 goals per game ranks second. Murphy also ranks second in power play goals (8), third in game winning goals (5) and seventh in points per game (1.64). With her first goal against Wisconsin on Dec. 8, Murphy scored her 100th career point (58g, 43a). She scored 33 points in the first half of the season to propel her over the century mark.
Balanced Goaltending
Prior to last week's series against Ohio State, both Skylar Vetter and Lucy Morgan were named to the HCA Goaltender of the Year Watch List. Vetter set the program record with 52 saves against Ohio State on Oct. 27, beating the previous record of 51 set by Noora Raty. So far this season, she has recorded two shutouts and has eight wins. Fifthyear transfer Lucy Morgan has also recorded a shutout this season and picked up eight wins, providing the Gophers high-quality depth.
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 tallying 36 points, Huber registering 23 points, Hemp scoring eight goals and assisting ten times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting six goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven goals so far and added seven assists. After scoring six points over five games, including two multi-point games, Lindsay was named WCHA Rookie of the Month for December. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has also given Minnesota a boost, recording 12 assists over 20 games to go along with three goals. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense. Neunzert scored her first goal as a Gopher in the win over Wisconsin on Dec. 8.
Tracking Scoring Milestones
Madeline Wethington added to her pursuit of 100 career points by scoring two goals in the series against UConn. With her four goals and six assists so far this year, she now sits at 87 career points (26g, 61a). Peyton Hemp sits at 78 career points (36g, 42a) after adding an assist in the Ohio State series.
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 looks to bounce back this week after falling to No. 1 Ohio State on Friday and Saturday of last week. The 'U' was shut out for the first time since Jan. 5, 2021 in Friday's contest as the team was only able to put up 20 shots against a tough Buckeye defense. On Saturday, the score was knotted at zero after one period before Ohio State pulled away in period two. Madison Kaiser scored the lone goal of the weekend for the Gophers on an assist from Peyton Hemp.
Scouting the Beavers
Bemidji State has struggled to pick up wins this season, recording three in 22 games. The Beavers have not scored a goal since Dec. 29 when they beat Robert Morris at the Battle of the Burgh. Their games against the Gophers this weekend will represent their third-straight matchup against a top-10 opponent after facing Colgate and Minnesota Duluth in the previous three games. Freshman Hailey Armstrong leads the Beavers in goals (9) while senior Taylor Nelson stands atop the leaderboard in points (11). The Gophers swept the first series with the Beavers this season with a 9-2 win on Dec. 1 and 9-1 win on Dec. 2.
Multiple Gopher Contributors
The Maroon and Gold have had various players make an impact this season. Redshirt junior Abbey Murphy has led the scoring charge with 22 goals in 22 games this season. Sophomore Josefin Bouveng and junior Ella Huber have each registered 23 points in the first 22 games. Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven times, and fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has scored three goals and added 12 assists. Nelli Laitinen has found the back of the net six times and assisted on nine goals. Overall, the Gophers have nine players with double-digit points so far this season.
Murphy Magic
Murphy currently sits in the top-10 in the nation in five major offensive categories. Her 22 goals for the season leads the nation, while her 1.00 goals per game ranks second. Murphy also ranks second in power play goals (8), third in game winning goals (5) and seventh in points per game (1.64). With her first goal against Wisconsin on Dec. 8, Murphy scored her 100th career point (58g, 43a). She scored 33 points in the first half of the season to propel her over the century mark.
Balanced Goaltending
Prior to last week's series against Ohio State, both Skylar Vetter and Lucy Morgan were named to the HCA Goaltender of the Year Watch List. Vetter set the program record with 52 saves against Ohio State on Oct. 27, beating the previous record of 51 set by Noora Raty. So far this season, she has recorded two shutouts and has eight wins. Fifthyear transfer Lucy Morgan has also recorded a shutout this season and picked up eight wins, providing the Gophers high-quality depth.
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 tallying 36 points, Huber registering 23 points, Hemp scoring eight goals and assisting ten times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting six goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven goals so far and added seven assists. After scoring six points over five games, including two multi-point games, Lindsay was named WCHA Rookie of the Month for December. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has also given Minnesota a boost, recording 12 assists over 20 games to go along with three goals. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense. Neunzert scored her first goal as a Gopher in the win over Wisconsin on Dec. 8.
Tracking Scoring Milestones
Madeline Wethington added to her pursuit of 100 career points by scoring two goals in the series against UConn. With her four goals and six assists so far this year, she now sits at 87 career points (26g, 61a). Peyton Hemp sits at 78 career points (36g, 42a) after adding an assist in the Ohio State series.
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.
WCHA Postseason Hype
Monday, March 02
Highlights: Gophers 6, St. Cloud State 1
Sunday, March 01
Highlights: Gophers 4, St. Cloud State 1
Saturday, February 28
Abbey Murphy Breaks Goals Record
Saturday, February 28