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Minnesota Ready for Top-5 Border Battle at Wisconsin
2/15/2024 4:00:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The No. 5 ranked Minnesota Gopher women's hockey team (24-5-1) heads to Madison, Wis. this weekend for a top-five showdown with the No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers (26-4-0). Puck drops are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Both games are set to air on Big Ten+.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold picked up their tenth sweep of the season, defeating the No. 10 St. Cloud State Huskies in a home-and-home series. Skylar Vetter was stellar between the pipes on Friday night, saving 24 shots in a 1-0 shutout win for the Gophers on the road. Abbey Murphy scored the lone goal in Friday's win before starting the scoring again on Saturday with her 29th goal of the season. The Huskies answered in period two to tie the game 1-1 headed into the third. Minnesota scored four unanswered goals in the final period, including two empty net goals to secure the win and series sweep.
Scouting the Badgers
The Badgers (26-4-0) are one of the top offensive teams in the country, leading the nation with 162 goals. For the season, the reigning national champions have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 3.97 goals per game. Wisconsin has four players in the top 15 in the nation in goals scored this season, led by Kirsten Simms with 25. Lacey Eden (23), Cassie Hall (19) and Britta Curl (17) round of the Badgers' scoring leaders. Last time out, Wisconsin shut out Bemidji State in both games, outscoring the Beavers 17-0. The Badgers are currently riding a 13-game win streak with their last loss coming to the Gophers on Dec. 8.
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 29 goals in 30 games this season. Junior Ella Huber scored two goals in last weekend's sweep of No. 10 St. Cloud State, her 31st and 32 points of the year. Sophomore Josefin Bouveng tallied an assist on Saturday, giving her 33 points. Ten different Gophers have totaled double-digit points for the year and seventeen have scored a goal.
Murphy Magic
Murphy currently sits in the top-10 in the nation in four major offensive categories. Her two goals over the weekend put her at 29 for the season. On Friday, Murphy scored her seventh game-winning goal. She leads the nation in each of those two categories. Murphy is also tied for second in power play goals (11) and seventh in points per game (1.57).
Stout Goaltending
Minnesota has shown throughout the season that they have highquality depth in the net. Junior Skylar Vetter and fifth-year transfer Lucy Morgan have combined for five shutouts and held opponents to 1.86 goals on average. Vetter is the most recent goalie to earn a shutout, keeping No. 10 St. Cloud State scoreless on Friday, Feb. 9. Her 24 saves against the Huskies in a 1-0 Gopher win was enough to earn WCHA Goaltender of the Week honors for the second time this season.
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 29 goals, Huber registering 32 points, Hemp scoring 11 goals and assisting 14 times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting 11 goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Emma Kreisz has given Minnesota a boost, recording 19 assists over 24 games to go along with five goals. She became the fifth Gopher this season to surpass the 20-point mark for the year. Fellow freshman Ava Lindsay has scored nine goals so far, added ten 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 27 and 21 shots, respectively. Neunzert scored her first goal as a Gopher in the win over Wisconsin on Dec. 8 while Stewart has tallied two goals and three assists for the season.
Tracking Milestones
Peyton Hemp inched closer to 100 career points with an assist on Feb. 10 against St. Cloud State. The goal put her at 85 career points (39g, 46a). With four goals and 11 assists so far this year, Madeline Wethington sits at 92 career points (26g, 66a). Ella Huber tallied two goals over the weekend against the Huskies to push her to 82 career points (30g, 52a). Head coach Brad Frost moved to 496-104-40 for his career after the sweep of St. Cloud State. With four regular-season games left, he looks to reach 500 wins for his career.
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 picked up their tenth sweep of the season, defeating the No. 10 St. Cloud State Huskies in a home-and-home series. Skylar Vetter was stellar between the pipes on Friday night, saving 24 shots in a 1-0 shutout win for the Gophers on the road. Abbey Murphy scored the lone goal in Friday's win before starting the scoring again on Saturday with her 29th goal of the season. The Huskies answered in period two to tie the game 1-1 headed into the third. Minnesota scored four unanswered goals in the final period, including two empty net goals to secure the win and series sweep.
Scouting the Badgers
The Badgers (26-4-0) are one of the top offensive teams in the country, leading the nation with 162 goals. For the season, the reigning national champions have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 3.97 goals per game. Wisconsin has four players in the top 15 in the nation in goals scored this season, led by Kirsten Simms with 25. Lacey Eden (23), Cassie Hall (19) and Britta Curl (17) round of the Badgers' scoring leaders. Last time out, Wisconsin shut out Bemidji State in both games, outscoring the Beavers 17-0. The Badgers are currently riding a 13-game win streak with their last loss coming to the Gophers on Dec. 8.
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 29 goals in 30 games this season. Junior Ella Huber scored two goals in last weekend's sweep of No. 10 St. Cloud State, her 31st and 32 points of the year. Sophomore Josefin Bouveng tallied an assist on Saturday, giving her 33 points. Ten different Gophers have totaled double-digit points for the year and seventeen have scored a goal.
Murphy Magic
Murphy currently sits in the top-10 in the nation in four major offensive categories. Her two goals over the weekend put her at 29 for the season. On Friday, Murphy scored her seventh game-winning goal. She leads the nation in each of those two categories. Murphy is also tied for second in power play goals (11) and seventh in points per game (1.57).
Stout Goaltending
Minnesota has shown throughout the season that they have highquality depth in the net. Junior Skylar Vetter and fifth-year transfer Lucy Morgan have combined for five shutouts and held opponents to 1.86 goals on average. Vetter is the most recent goalie to earn a shutout, keeping No. 10 St. Cloud State scoreless on Friday, Feb. 9. Her 24 saves against the Huskies in a 1-0 Gopher win was enough to earn WCHA Goaltender of the Week honors for the second time this season.
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 29 goals, Huber registering 32 points, Hemp scoring 11 goals and assisting 14 times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting 11 goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Emma Kreisz has given Minnesota a boost, recording 19 assists over 24 games to go along with five goals. She became the fifth Gopher this season to surpass the 20-point mark for the year. Fellow freshman Ava Lindsay has scored nine goals so far, added ten 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 27 and 21 shots, respectively. Neunzert scored her first goal as a Gopher in the win over Wisconsin on Dec. 8 while Stewart has tallied two goals and three assists for the season.
Tracking Milestones
Peyton Hemp inched closer to 100 career points with an assist on Feb. 10 against St. Cloud State. The goal put her at 85 career points (39g, 46a). With four goals and 11 assists so far this year, Madeline Wethington sits at 92 career points (26g, 66a). Ella Huber tallied two goals over the weekend against the Huskies to push her to 82 career points (30g, 52a). Head coach Brad Frost moved to 496-104-40 for his career after the sweep of St. Cloud State. With four regular-season games left, he looks to reach 500 wins for his career.
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.
Highlights: Gophers 5, St. Cloud State 3
Saturday, October 11
Highlights: Gophers 4, St. Cloud State 1
Friday, October 10
Highlights: Gophers 5, Boston 2
Saturday, October 04
Highlights: Gophers 5, Boston 0
Friday, October 03