University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
St. Thomas
Players Mentioned
No. 3 Gophers Face St. Thomas to Wrap Up 2025 Action
12/4/2025 10:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 3 University of Minnesota women's hockey team looks to rebound this weekend with a home-and-home series against St. Thomas. The Tommies host Friday's opener at the brand-new Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul, Minn., with puck drop set for 2:00 p.m. The series shifts to Ridder Arena on Saturday for another 2:00 p.m. start. Friday's game will air live on FOX9+, while Saturday's contest will stream on B1G+.
#3 Minnesota Gophers (12-4-0, 8-4-0 WCHA) vs St. Thomas Tommies (8-10-0, 3-9-0 WCHA)
Date: Dec. 5, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. CT
Stream: FOX9+
Location: Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
#3 Minnesota Gophers (12-4-0, 8-4-0 WCHA) vs St. Thomas Tommies (8-10-0, 3-9-0 WCHA)
Date: Dec. 6, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+
Location: Ridder Arena
Last Time Out
Minnesota enters the weekend following its second bye week of the season. Prior to the break, the Gophers dropped a pair of games to No. 12 Minnesota State on Nov. 21–22. Despite outshooting the Mavericks in both contests, Minnesota fell 3-1 at Ridder Arena on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday in Mankato.
Scouting the Tommies
St. Thomas holds an 8-10-0 overall record and a 3-9-0 mark in WCHA play, currently sitting sixth in the conference standings. The Tommies have been ranked or receiving votes in every national poll this season. Before their bye, St. Thomas faced No. 1 Wisconsin in Madison on Nov. 20–21, falling 8-0 in game one before narrowly dropping game two, 4-3, in overtime. The Tommies' attack is led by junior forwards Rylee Bartz and Ella Boerger. Bartz paces the team with 10 goals and 19 points, while Boerger tops the Tommies with 14 assists. Graduate goaltender Julia Minotti backstops St. Thomas with a 2.44 goals against average and .909 save percentage. Bethany Brausen returns for her second season as head coach after taking over in January 2025.
Inside the Series
Minnesota leads the all-time series 20-0-0 against St. Thomas since their move to Division I. The Tommies are still searching for their first win against the Maroon and Gold after the Gophers skated to a 5-1 victory in their last matchup on January 11, 2025. Abbey Murphy, Sydney Morrow, and Gracie Graham each added a goal in the victory.
Battle Before the Break
Minnesota closes out the 2025 portion of the 2025-26 campaign with this weekend's battle against St. Thomas. The Gophers will be on break until the new year, when they travel to Sacred Heart for their final two nonconference games of the regular season on Jan. 2-3.
Points, Points, Points
Senior forward Josefin Bouveng continues to light up the scoresheet, extending her point streak to 15 straight games with a one-goal, one-assist series effort against Minnesota State. Amanda Kessel holds the all-time single season points streak at 32 consecutive games.
Best of the Best
Graduate forward Abbey Murphy and sophomore goaltender Hannah Clark were named Hockey Commissioners Association National Players of the Month for September–October. Murphy was recognized as Co-National Forward of the Month after leading the NCAA with 24 points (15g–9a), while Clark earned National Goaltender of the Month honors with an 8-1-0 record, .955 save percentage, and 1.32 GAA. Murphy collected her second career HCA award, while Clark became the first Gopher netminder to claim the national honor since Skylar Vetter (Dec. 2022).
International Stars Set to Shine
The Rivalry Series continues Dec. 10 and 13 in Edmonton, where Abbey Murphy (USA) and Chloe Primerano (CAN) will represent their home nations. Six Gophers will also compete in international competitions during the break: Murphy (USA), Primerano (CAN), Bouveng (SWE), Laitinen (FIN), Plosova (CZE), and Kreisz (HUN).
Offense on Overdrive
Minnesota's potent offense ranks fourth in the nation with 75 goals through 16 games this season, averaging 4.69 goals per game.
Apple Picking
The Gophers rank third nationally with 128 assists. Ava Lindsay leads the squad and ranks fourth in the nation with 1.13 assists per game. Josefin Bouveng and Abbey Murphy are tied for ninth with 0.88 assists per game. Sydney Morrow (0.63), Madison Kaiser (0.56), and Jamie Nelson (0.56) also rank among the NCAA's top 20 in assists.
Productive Blue Line
Minnesota's defense continues to drive offense, as Morrow and Nelli Laitinen rank sixth nationally among defenders with 15 points, followed closely by Nelli Laitinen with 13. Laitinen and Morrow also rank sixth among defenders with five goals apiece.
Gopher Stat Leaders
Five Gophers rank among the nation's top scorers: Murphy (2nd, 32 pts), Lindsay (T-15th, 22), Bouveng (T-15th, 22), Morrow (T-40th, 15), Fanale (T-40th, 15). Murphy leads the WCHA in goals (18) and shots (108). Clark stands top-20 nationally in all major goaltending categories with a .932 save percentage (14th) and 1.89 GAA (12th).
Big-Time Player, Big-Time Plays
Murphy has recorded three game-winning goals this season, tied for third in the nation. With her next game winning goal, she will pass Krissy Wendell and Nadine Muzerall (24) for most all-time in program history.
Pucks On, Pucks In
The Gophers have outshot opponents 624–427 while leading the WCHA with a 12% shooting percentage.
Frost Climbs the Ranks
Head coach Brad Frost has moved into fourth place all-time in NCAA women's hockey wins, passing Mike Carroll and now sitting at 540 career victories.
Special Teams Strength
Minnesota's special teams continue to shine, ranking eighth nationally on the power play (.261) and 12th in total power-play goals (12). The Gophers' penalty kill is also among the nation's best at .848.
National Recognition
Following the bye week, the Gophers remain the No. 3 team in the nation for the second consecutive week.
Leadership Group
Captains Abbey Murphy and Nelli Laitinen both return to wear the 'C' for the second straight season.
Behind the Bench
Head coach Brad Frost returns for his 19th season with the Gophers, entering the weekend with a career record of 540-125-42, four national titles, and seven conference championships. Associate head coach Greg May, assistant coach Mitch Baker, and assistant coach/general manager Jessica Scott also return to the staff.
Quest for Eight
Minnesota continues its pursuit of an eighth national championship, having already claimed seven titles (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016).