University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
2-0-0
Connecticut
0-2-0
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Gophers Complete Sweep of UConn After Overtime Thriller
9/28/2024 6:41:00 PM | Women's Hockey
STORRS, CONN. - The No. 2/3 ranked Minnesota Gopher women's hockey team completed their season-opening series with a 3-2 overtime victory on Saturday afternoon against No. 9 Connecticut.
The first two periods saw a heavy Gopher attack on offense, however it would be the Huskies that would lead for most of the day. UConn's Riley Grimley opened up scoring midway through the first period with the Huskies' first power play goal of the season. While Minnesota outshot UConn 31-10 through the first two periods, the Gophers remained scoreless.
Forward Josefin Bouveng got Minnesota on the board 26 seconds into the third period, with assists by redshirt senior Abbey Murphy and freshman Chloe Primerano. UConn responded just 21 seconds later with a goal of their own, courtesy of Brianna Ware, and regained their lead 2-1.
With 5:10 remaining in the third period, fifth-year Natalie Mlynkova tipped a perfect Peyton Hemp pass from across the goal crease to tie the game 2-2. After the period remained scoreless, the game was sent overtime.
It took standout forward Abbey Murphy less than a minute to call game for Minnesota. On a 3-on-3 line also featuring Ella Huber and Chloe Primerano, Murphy scored her third goal of the weekend 49 seconds into overtime, completing the Gopher sweep.
Quotable:
"Anytime you can beat a top 10 team, it's great, said head coach Brad Frost. "Non-conference games are so important because of the lack of crossover. We only have six games against non-conference opponents. I'm just so proud of our team and the resilience: being down a goal, coming into the third, tying it up, getting down again, tying it up late, and then getting that overtime. It's kind of a character win here early on, and something that we can pull from."
Additionally Quotes from Coach Frost:
"She had a few great chances. She's been a big addition for us, and I'm so happy that she got rewarded with that one, especially against a former Hockey East team that she's played against many times. Very deserving. It's the first of many for her, and we're really excited to have her."
On Abbey Murphy
"She does what she does, right? She's able to create time and space. Really, really good move to beat the defenseman, and then a great finish to send us home with the sweep. We're really excited about it, and are looking forward to getting back home for our first home series next weekend."
Notable:
- Abbey Murphy recorded her 15th career game-winning goal.
- Natalie Mlynkova recorded her first goal as Gopher, tallying it against former Hockey East rival Connecticut.
- Chloe Primerano recorded the first two assists of her career.
- Minnesota outshot Connecticut 48-13.
- Mlynkova attempted the Gophers' first penalty shot since Dec. 2, 2023.
Up Next:
Next Friday and Sunday, Gophers will make their 2024-25 home debut, hosting Boston University at Ridder Arena for a two-game series.