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Gophers Begin New Year, Close Non-Conference Play at Sacred Heart
1/1/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 3 University of Minnesota women's hockey team looks to open the new year with a two-game non-conference road series against Sacred Heart. The Gophers travel to Fairfield, Conn., for the matchup with the Pioneers, marking Minnesota's final non-conference games of the regular season. Friday's puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m. CT at Martire Family Arena, with Saturday's series finale scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
#3 Minnesota Gophers (14-4-0, 10-4-0 WCHA) at Sacred Heart Pioneers (5-12-1, 4-9-1 NEWHA)
Date: Jan. 2, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. CT
Stream: ESPN+
Location: Martire Family Arena
#3 Minnesota Gophers (14-4-0, 10-4-0 WCHA) at Sacred Heart Pioneers (5-12-1, 4-9-1 NEWHA)
Date: Jan. 3, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. CT
Stream: ESPN+
Location: Martire Family Arena
Last Time Out
Minnesota returns from the extended break after sweeping St. Thomas in a home-and-home series on Dec. 5–6. The Gophers earned a 5-3 victory over the Tommies on Friday at the newly opened Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul before completing the sweep with a 4-1 win at Ridder Arena on Saturday.
Scouting the Pioneers
Sacred Heart enters the series with a 5-12-1 overall record and a 4-9-1 mark in NEWHA play, currently sitting seventh in the conference standings. Prior to the break, the Pioneers faced Assumption in a home-and-home series on Dec. 5–6. The teams skated to a 2-2 tie in the opener, with Sacred Heart edging the Greyhounds in a shootout, before Assumption claimed a 4-2 victory in Saturday's finale. The Pioneers feature a balanced offensive attack, with six skaters recording seven or more points this season. Sophomore forward Ella Holm leads the team with nine points, while fellow sophomore Addie Bowlby paces the squad with five goals. In net, Jillian Petruno has served as Sacred Heart's primary goaltender, posting a 2.05 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. Petruno has been credited with all five of the Pioneers' wins this season and holds a 5-7-1 record. Head coach Thomas O'Malley returns behind the bench for his 23rd season with the program.
Inside the Series
Friday's matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between the Minnesota Gophers and Sacred Heart Pioneers, as well as Minnesota's first contest against a NEWHA opponent.
Back From Break
Minnesota is undefeated under head coach Brad Frost in its first game of the new year, posting a 17-0-1 record. The Gophers aim to extend that streak this weekend.
Nelson Named WCHA Forward of the Month
Jamie Nelson was named WCHA Forward of the Month for December, her first career monthly conference honor. The graduate transfer totaled four points (1G, 3A) in a home-and-home sweep of St. Thomas, including three points (1G, 2A) in Saturday's 4–1 win at Ridder Arena. Nelson was also named WCHA Forward of the Week and is the fifth Gopher to earn WCHA monthly honors this season.
Olympic Hopefuls
Five Gophers are Olympic hopefuls for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy. Abbey Murphy (USA), Josefin Bouveng (SWE), and Nelli Laitinen (FIN) are seeking their second Olympic appearances, while Chloe Primerano (CAN) and Tereza Plosová (CZE) are aiming for their Olympic debuts.
Points, Points, Points
Senior forward Josefin Bouveng continues to light up the scoresheet, extending her point streak to 17 straight games with a two-goal series effort against St. Thomas. Amanda Kessel holds the all-time single season points streak at 32 consecutive games.
Offense on Overdrive
Minnesota's potent offense ranks third in the nation with 84 goals through 18 games this season, averaging 4.67 goals per game.
Apple Picking
The Gophers rank second nationally with 144 assists. Ava Lindsay leads the squad and ranks fifth in the nation with 1.06 assists per game. Josefin Bouveng and Abbey Murphy are tied for 12th with 0.78 assists per game. Sydney Morrow (0.67) and Jamie Nelson (0.67) also rank among the NCAA's top 25 in assists.
Productive Blue Line
Minnesota's defense continues to fuel the offense. Sydney Morrow and Nelli Laitinen rank fourth and sixth nationally among defenders with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Morrow is third in goals (6) among defenders, while Laitinen ranks eighth (5).
Gopher Stat Leaders
Five Gophers rank among the nation's top scorers: Murphy (2nd, 34 pts), Lindsay (T-19th, 23), Bouveng (T-14th, 24), Morrow (T-35th, 18), Nelson (T-42nd, 17). Murphy leads the NCAA in goals per game (1.11) and the WCHA in shots (125). Clark stands top-20 nationally in all major goaltending categories with a .929 save percentage (19th) and 1.98 GAA (15th).
Big-Time Player, Big-Time Plays
Murphy has recorded four game-winning goals this season, passing Krissy Wendell and Nadine Muzerall (24) for most all-time in program history.
Pucks On, Pucks In
The Gophers have outshot opponents 708–470 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 542 career victories.
Special Teams Strength
Minnesota's special teams continue to shine, ranking seventh nationally on the power play (.255) and 18th in total power-play goals (12). The Gophers' penalty kill is also among the nation's top-20 at .837.
National Recognition
The Gophers remain the No. 3 team in the nation for the third consecutive weekly poll.
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 542-125-42, 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).