University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
11-3-1, 7-3-1
St. Cloud State
8-5-2, 4-5-2
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Murphy Notches Hat Trick in Gopher Take Down of Huskies on Friday
11/22/2024 10:04:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 3 ranked Golden Gopher women's hockey squad claimed its seventh consecutive victory after topping No. 9/10 St. Cloud State 5-2 at home on Friday. Minnesota moved to a 11-3-1 (7-3-1 WCHA) record on the season.
The Gophers were quick to get on the board as senior forward Ella Huber tallied a score just 23 seconds into the first period, assisted by Sydney Morrow. It was Huber's fifth goal of the season and the second-fastest score of the year for Minnesota. St. Cloud State responded via an Abby Promersberger power play goal with under five minutes left to play in the period. The Gophers came right back with an Ava Lindsay goal just over a minute later. It was Lindsay's second goal of the season. The score remained 2-1 in favor of Minnesota heading into the first intermission, with St. Cloud State leading the shots on goal battle 14-12.
Early in the second period, redshirt-senior forward and reigning WCHA Forward of the Week Abbey Murphy extended her point streak to seven games after scoring her 11th goal of the season. The Gophers led 3-1 until the Huskies' Ally Qualley brought the game back within one with St. Cloud State's second power play goal of the game. Minnesota led 3-2 heading into the third period.
Murphy struck again just 24 seconds into the third period, sending a pass from Peyton Hemp into the back of the net for a power play goal. Hemp's assist, her second of the night, marked her 100th career point. Minnesota held St. Cloud State to only four shots on goal and no scores throughout the period, adding to its lead via a Murphy empty-net goal with 1:36 left to play. Murphy's third goal of the day marked the second hat trick of her career. The Gophers secured the home win with a final score of 5-2.
Freshman goaltender and reigning WCHA Goaltender of the Week Hannah Clark moved to a 7-1-1 record on the season, making 25 saves and recording a .926 save percentage in Friday's win.
Quotable:
"I thought we played well," said head coach Brad Frost. "After a great weekend in Duluth last weekend, I just wanted our team to take another step, and I thought they did that. We were staying above pucks, we were reloading well, winning our battles, in particular in the second and third. We did a great job at the end, closing that thing out in the third period, just allowing four shots. Really happy with the win."
Additional Quotes from Coach Frost:
On Peyton Hemp
"[Hemp's] the epitome of consistency for us. So happy for her, getting her 100th point, and many more to come in her senior year. She does the right things all the time, plays the right way, and I'm really happy for her."
On Abbey Murphy
"[Murphy] continues to do the right things. She's starting to get rewarded on the score sheet a little more, but what people don't see are the behind-the-scenes things, the things that she does in the community, and the things she does with little kids. That's the kind of person Abbey is, but it's fun to see her lighting the lamp and getting those points, and just continuing to lead us in a great way."
Notable:
- Abbey Murphy recorded her second career hat trick and is the first Gopher to notch a hat trick this season.
- Abbey Murphy recorded her eighth multi-point game of the season.
- Abbey Murphy recorded her third multi-goal game of the season.
- Abbey Murphy extended her point streak to seven consecutive games.
- Peyton Hemp notched her 100th career point with her second assist on Friday.
- Ella Huber recorded her fifth multi-point game this season.
- Ava Lindsay tallied her 30th career point with her second goal of the season.
- The Gophers have tallied at least one power play goal in each of their last eight games.
- Minnesota outshot St. Cloud State 34-27.
Up Next:
The No. 3 Gophers will head on the road tomorrow to finish their home-and-home series against the No. 9/10 Huskies. The two squads will face off at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn. at 3:00 p.m. CT.