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Gophers Welcome Tommies for Weekend Series
2/1/2024 4:00:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The No. 5 ranked Minnesota Gopher women's hockey team (20-5-1) returns to Ridder Arena this weekend for a series against the Tommies of St. Thomas (8-18-1).
Friday's contest is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on B1G+ and Saturday's is slated for 4:30 p.m. CT on Fox 9+.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold completed their eighth sweep of the season last weekend with two wins over the Minnesota State Mavericks. Five different Gophers had a multi-point night in last Friday's 4-3 win, including a three-point performance from Abbey Murphy. On Saturday, Josefin Bouveng scored a power play goal late in the first period to give Minnesota the 1-0 advantage. The Mavericks tied the game in the third period, sending it to overtime. Just 54 seconds into overtime, Peyton Hemp scored the game-winning goal to secure the series sweep for the Gophers.
Scouting the Tommies
The Tommies (8-18-1) have shown offensive growth under head coach Joel Johnson in his third season. The team has scored 56 goals in the first 27 games of the season compared to just 53 through 36 games last year. The rookies for St. Thomas have made a signigicant impact this season. Freshman Ella Boerger leads the Tommies with 19 points (9g, 10a) with fellow freshman Rylee Bartz close behind at 18 points (7g, 11a). Defensively, freshman Ellah Hause leads the team and ranks fourth in the WCHA in blocked shots with 50. When the Tommies took to the ice last weekend, they earned a shootout win on Friday at Bemidji State before dropping Saturday's contest 4-2.Â
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 24 goals in 26 games this season. After a three-point performance last weekend, sophomore Josefin Bouveng has totaled 28 points in 26 games. Juniors Ella Huber and Peyton Hemp, along with freshman Emma Kreisz, have each contributed 20+ points for the season. Sophomore Madison Kaiser is the latest of 10 Gophers to cross the double-digit point threshold after collecting two assists in the weekend series at Bemidji State.
Stout Goaltending
With two goaltenders on the HCA Goaltender of the Year Watch List, the 'U' has high-quality depth in the net. On Friday, Jan. 19, fifth-year transfer Lucy Morgan picked up her second shutout of the season to go along with 10 wins. Fellow goalie Skylar Vetter tallied her tenth win of the season on Saturday, Jan. 27. Vetter currently holds the program record for saves in a game with 52, set on Oct. 27 against Ohio State. Gopher great Noora Raty previously held the record at 51.
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 in 2023-24, with Murphy scoring 24 goals, Huber registering 27 points, Hemp scoring 10 goals and assisting 13 times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting eight goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Emma Kreisz has given Minnesota a boost, recording 16 assists over 24 games to go along with four goals. She became the fifth Gopher this season to surpass the 20-point mark for the year. Fellow freshman Ava Lindsay has scored eight goals so far, added eight assists, and was named WCHA Rookie of the Month for December. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense, blocking 23 and 21 shots, respectivly. Neunzert scored her first goal as a Gopher in the win over Wisconsin on Dec. 8 while Stewart has tallied two goals and two assists for the season.
Tracking Scoring Milestones
Peyton Hemp inched closer to 100 career points with a three-point performance over the weekend against Minnesota State. With two goals, including the game-winning goal on Saturday, and an assist, she now sits at 83 career points (38g, 45a). With four goals and eight assists so far this year, Madeline Wethington sits at 89 career points (26g, 63a).
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.
Friday's contest is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on B1G+ and Saturday's is slated for 4:30 p.m. CT on Fox 9+.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold completed their eighth sweep of the season last weekend with two wins over the Minnesota State Mavericks. Five different Gophers had a multi-point night in last Friday's 4-3 win, including a three-point performance from Abbey Murphy. On Saturday, Josefin Bouveng scored a power play goal late in the first period to give Minnesota the 1-0 advantage. The Mavericks tied the game in the third period, sending it to overtime. Just 54 seconds into overtime, Peyton Hemp scored the game-winning goal to secure the series sweep for the Gophers.
Scouting the Tommies
The Tommies (8-18-1) have shown offensive growth under head coach Joel Johnson in his third season. The team has scored 56 goals in the first 27 games of the season compared to just 53 through 36 games last year. The rookies for St. Thomas have made a signigicant impact this season. Freshman Ella Boerger leads the Tommies with 19 points (9g, 10a) with fellow freshman Rylee Bartz close behind at 18 points (7g, 11a). Defensively, freshman Ellah Hause leads the team and ranks fourth in the WCHA in blocked shots with 50. When the Tommies took to the ice last weekend, they earned a shootout win on Friday at Bemidji State before dropping Saturday's contest 4-2.Â
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 24 goals in 26 games this season. After a three-point performance last weekend, sophomore Josefin Bouveng has totaled 28 points in 26 games. Juniors Ella Huber and Peyton Hemp, along with freshman Emma Kreisz, have each contributed 20+ points for the season. Sophomore Madison Kaiser is the latest of 10 Gophers to cross the double-digit point threshold after collecting two assists in the weekend series at Bemidji State.
Stout Goaltending
With two goaltenders on the HCA Goaltender of the Year Watch List, the 'U' has high-quality depth in the net. On Friday, Jan. 19, fifth-year transfer Lucy Morgan picked up her second shutout of the season to go along with 10 wins. Fellow goalie Skylar Vetter tallied her tenth win of the season on Saturday, Jan. 27. Vetter currently holds the program record for saves in a game with 52, set on Oct. 27 against Ohio State. Gopher great Noora Raty previously held the record at 51.
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 in 2023-24, with Murphy scoring 24 goals, Huber registering 27 points, Hemp scoring 10 goals and assisting 13 times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting eight goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Emma Kreisz has given Minnesota a boost, recording 16 assists over 24 games to go along with four goals. She became the fifth Gopher this season to surpass the 20-point mark for the year. Fellow freshman Ava Lindsay has scored eight goals so far, added eight assists, and was named WCHA Rookie of the Month for December. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense, blocking 23 and 21 shots, respectivly. Neunzert scored her first goal as a Gopher in the win over Wisconsin on Dec. 8 while Stewart has tallied two goals and two assists for the season.
Tracking Scoring Milestones
Peyton Hemp inched closer to 100 career points with a three-point performance over the weekend against Minnesota State. With two goals, including the game-winning goal on Saturday, and an assist, she now sits at 83 career points (38g, 45a). With four goals and eight assists so far this year, Madeline Wethington sits at 89 career points (26g, 63a).
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.
Ella Huber Drafted by Boston
Wednesday, June 25
Natalie Mlynkova Drafted by Montreal
Tuesday, June 24
Peyton Hemp Drafted by Ottawa
Tuesday, June 24
CHS Home Grown Gophers: Kendra Distad
Friday, May 16