GOPHERS SET TO HOST BEMIDJI STATE
Provided by the University of Minnesota

The No. 2/3 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team returns home for the first time since Oct. 24th as the Golden Gophers host Bemidji State, Friday and Saturday evening. Friday’s game is set for a 6:07 p.m. start, while Saturday’s contest is 4:07 p.m. Although Minnesota holds a 41-2-3 all-time record against the Beavers, both losses came at Ridder Arena in 2006 and 2007.

FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
All of the home games and a majority of the road games will be broadcast live on gophersports.com. This weekend, gophersports.com will have both video/audio of the games against the Beavers. Fans can follow the Gophers through the Gold Zone. For free score updates go to http://twitter.com/gopherscores.

ABOUT THE BEAVERS
Bemidji State enters the Minnesota series with a 4-8-2 overall record and a 3-3-2 mark in the WCHA. The Beavers’ wins came against Wisconsin (10/10), Wayne State (10/30), Minnesota State (11/7) and St. Cloud State (11/13) last weekend. Erin Johnson leads the Beaver scoring drive with 10 points (7-3), while Erin Cody has nine points and Annie Bauerfeld has eight. One of Bemidji State’s most potent players is between the pipes in sophomore Zuzana Tomcikova. In 10 games played, Tomcikova has two shutouts and has started in 10 games, including a 1-0 win over Wisconsin.

SKATE WITH THE GOPHERS SET FOR NOV. 22
This year’s Skate with the Gophers will be held this Sunday, November 22nd, from 1pm-3pm at Ridder Arena. Skate times are available by calling the ticket office at (612) 624-8080. Fans will have a chance to meet the players and coaches, get autographs and play games. For more information, contact the marketing department at 612-625-4879.

WCHA FACEOFF AND FROZEN FOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE
Tickets are now available for the 2010 WCHA FINAL FACEOFF and the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four, both of which can be purchased through the Gopher ticket office. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 612-624-8080 (1-800 UGOPHER) or on the gopher website: gophersports.com or the direct link: https://www.tickets.umn.edu/online/bundles.asp?brand=Athletics

GOPHERS SIGN SIX IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
Minnesota women’s hockey head coach Brad Frost has announced that Bethany Brausen (Little Canada, Minn.), Sarah Davis (Paradise, N.L.), Baylee Gillanders (Kyle, Sask.), Amanda Kessel (Madison, Wis.), Kelly Terry (Whitby, Ont.) and Elizabeth Turgeon (Cherry Hills Village, Colo) have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Gopher program in the fall of 2010. Of the six signees, five have played internationally with either the United States or Canada Under-18 Team.

100 POINT CLUB
Brittany Francis tallied two assists in the 4-1 win over MSU. Her first assist marked her 100th career point. She is the 16th Golden Gopher to earn 100 points. Prior to her accomplishing the feat was Gigi Marvin, who tallied her 100th point as a junior in 2007-08.

Schleper and Räty Lead Gophers to 1-1 Tie and Shootout Win Over MSU
Provided by the University of Minnesota

Anne Schleper and Noora Räty aided the No. 3 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team to a 1-1 come-from-behind tie and a shootout win over Minnesota State University, Mankato, today in Mankato, Minn. With the shootout win, the Gophers earn two points in the conference standings and now have 15 points in Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Minnesota is now 9-2-1 overall and 7-2-1 in the WCHA.

MSU took its first lead of the series when Nina Tikkinen scored on a breakaway at 5:09 in the first. Emily West and an MSU player were batting at the puck, which flew in the air and down in the Minnesota zone, where Tikkinen was there to pick it up and scored on a wrist shot.

Minnesota spent 10 of the 20 minutes in the box when it had four penalties in the first period. However, the Gophers were able to hold off MSU’s power-play opportunities and were only down 1-0 after one. Both teams went scoreless in the second period. Minnesota had 12 shots to MSU’s seven.

Schleper scored a power-play goal at 11:31 for her sixth goal of the season. West started the play as she passed the puck to Schleper in the neutral zone. She took the puck in the zone and carried the puck all the way to the top the circles and fired a wrist shot to score the game-tying goal.

Schleper’s goal forced the overtime period. MSU had one shot in overtime, while Minnesota did not have a shot to lead to the tie. Minnesota chose Sarah Erickson, Emily West and Brittany Francis in the shootout, while MSU chose Emmi Leinonen, Ashley Young and Christina Lee. Alli Altmann and Räty stopped each shooter, forcing a fourth round. Schleper sniped her second goal of the game to give the Gophers a 1-0 lead. MSU’s Holly Synder attempted the Maverick shot, but Räty stacked the pads to stop Synder and earned the shootout win.

The last time the Gophers competed in a shootout dates back to Feb. 8 when Minnesota tied Wisconsin. The Gophers lost the shootout, but with the tie, the Gophers clinched the WCHA regular season championship. Minnesota’s last win in the shootout came on Jan. 24 when the Gophers won over Minnesota Duluth.

Minnesota finished the game with 34 shots on goal and went 1-for-9 on the power play and had 17 shots. MSU went 0-for-7 with nine power play shots. They had a total of 27 shots, Räty making 26 saves. Altmann had 33 saves.

The Gophers return home for the first time since Oct. 24 as they host Bemidji State next Friday (Nov. 20) at 6:07 p.m.

Gophers Earn a 4-1 Win Over Minnesota State
Provided by the University of Minnesota

The No. 3 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team scored three goals in the second and one in third to earn a 4-1 win over Minnesota State University, Mankato, tonight at All Seasons Arena in Mankato, Minn. With the win, the Golden Gophers improve to 9-2-0 and 7-2-0 in conference action.

After a scoreless first period, Minnesota opened the game up with three goals in the second to put the game at 3-0 after two. Kelli Blankenship scored her third goal and second in two games at 11:36 in the second. Brittany Francis started the play as she passed the puck to Blankenship just inside the zone. Blankenship passed it to West, who returned favor at the bottom of the circle to put the game at 1-0. With her assist, Brittany Francis tallied her 100th point of career. She is the 16th player in Gopher history to tally 100 points.

Minnesota took advantage of a 5-on-3 power-play attempt when Anne Schleper rifled the puck over MSU goalie Alli Altmann’s right shoulder for her fifth goal of the season at 17:07 in the second. West added to the Gopher lead when she scored on a breakaway at 19:06 in the second. Sarah Erickson made a great pass and found West behind the MSU defenseman. She received the puck at the blue line and skated in, untouched, and placed it just over Altmann’s right pad for her seventh goal this season.

MSU cut the Gopher lead to two when Emmi Leinonen scored at 1:07 in the third on a power play attempt. However, Erickson scored a power-play goal at 4-1 when she capitalized on a rebound attempt to give the Gophers the eventual win. Brittany Francis and Megan Bozek assisted on the play.

Noora Räty was in goal for the Maroon and Gold and earned her sixth win of the season and now sits a 6-1-0 in her rookie season. She stopped eight shots in the first, 11 in the second and 10 in the third for 29 save total.

Minnesota and Minnesota State have a quick turnaround as the two teams play again tomorrow at 3:07 p.m.

GOPHERS TRAVEL TO MINNESOTA STATE
Provided by the University of Minnesota

No. 3 University of Minnesota visits Minnesota State, this Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game is set for a 7:07 p.m., start, while Saturday’s is a 3:07 p.m. tilt, both at All Seasons Arena near the MSU campus. Minnesota is 42-3-2 all time against Minnesota State, dating back to October of 1998. Last year, the Gophers won 2-1 and 6-3 at Ridder Arena, while earning 9-1 and 7-4 wins at All Seasons Arena last January. They followed with a 7-2 win over MSU in the WCHA FINAL FACEOFF to advance to the championship game.

FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
All of the home games and a majority of the road games will be broadcast live on gophersports.com. This weekend, gophersports.com will have both audio of the games against the Mavericks. Fans can follow the Gophers through the Gold Zone. For free score updates go to http://twitter.com/gopherscores.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS
The Mavericks have a new coach behind the bench this year, but Eric Means has been at MSU for the past 14 years as an assistant coach for the men’s program and is now in his first year as the head coach of the women’s program. MSU has played in eight games this season and hold a 3-3-2 record and a 1-3-2 mark in the WCHA. The Mavericks’ most recent series was against Bemidji State last weekend as they tied (lost the shootout) and lost, 3-1. BSU and MSU competed in a 13-round shootout with BSU winning, 3-2. Ashley Young leads the Mavericks in scoring with 10 points, while Emmi Leinonen and Lauren Smith rank second in scoring with nine and eight points.

WCHA FACEOFF AND FROZEN FOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE
Tickets are now available for the 2010 WCHA FINAL FACEOFF and the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four, both of which can be purchased through the Gopher ticket office. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 612-624-8080 (1-800 UGOPHER) or on the gopher website: gophersports.com or the direct link: https://www.tickets.umn.edu/online/bundles.asp?brand=Athletics

SKATE WITH THE GOPHERS SET FOR NOV. 22
This year’s Skate with the Gophers will be held on Sunday, November 22nd from 1pm-3pm at Ridder Arena. Skate times are available by calling the ticket office at (612) 624-8080. Fans will have a chance to meet the players and coaches, get autographs and play games. For more information, contact the marketing department at 612-625-4879.

GOPHER TIES AT FOUR NATION’S CUP
Gopher alums Natalie Darwitz, Rachael Drazan and Gigi Marvin earned a silver medal when they defeated Finland, Sweden and Canada, but fell to Canada in the championship game, 5-1. Minnesota players Mira Jalosuo and Noora Räty fell to USA, Canada and Sweden with Räty playing in two games.

No. 2 Gophers Fall to No. 8/9 Wisconsin, 5-2
Provided by the University of Minnesota

The No. 2 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team fell for the second-straight game when the Golden Gophers lost to No. 8/9 Wisconsin, 5-2, today in Madison, Wis.

The Badgers took a 3-2 lead in the first period and added one in the second and another in the third for the win. Wisconsin scored first when Mallory Deluce netted a goal at 8:46 in the first period. Brooke Ammerman walked from the faceoff dot and walked in toward the goal and back through the slot. She fanned on her shot, but Deluce was there to bang in the rebound. Sarah Erickson scored her 10th goal of the season when she netted a power-play goal at 12:15 to put the game at 1-1. Erickson one-timed the puck when she was left alone in front with Megan Bozek and Kelly Seeler assisting on the play. Bozek made a great feed to Erickson at the bottom of the faceoff circle for the goal. In nine games this season, Erickson has already tied her goal production from her freshman year.

Kelli Blankenship put the game at 2-1 when she batted in a rebound attempt at 14:14 in the first. UW goalie Becca Ruegsegger stopped Brittany Francis’ shot, but couldn’t contain the follow up from Blankenship for her second goal of the season. Seeler added the second assist. However, Wisconsin retaliated with two goals in the first to put up a 3-2 lead. Ammerman scored a power-play goal at 16:45, while Kelly Nash added an unassisted goal at 19:29 when the puck went off a Minnesota skate and in the back of the net.

Wisconsin added to its lead when Ammerman scored at 8:52 in the second to put the Badgers at 4-2 after two periods. Malee Windmeier added a three-goal lead at 10:26 in the third for a 5-2 win.

It is the first time the Gophers were swept in a weekend series this season. The last time the Gophers had been swept in a series dates back to the Minnesota Duluth series (Feb. 17-18) in 2007 in Duluth, Minn.

Minnesota will take a week off from competition next week and resume action on Nov. 13-14 as the Gophers travel to Minnesota State and All Seasons Arena.

Gopher Women's Hockey Falls for the First Time This Season
Provided by the University of Minnesota

The No. 2 University of Minnesota women's hockey team fell in its first contest of the season when the No. 8/9 Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers, 4-2, today, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. With the loss, the Golden Gophers drop to 8-1-0 overall and 6-1-0 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Minnesota held a 2-1 lead, but Wisconsin scored three unanswered goals for the win.

The Gophers and Badgers produced a lot of offensive power in the first period with three goals scored between the two teams. Minnesota held an early lead when Sarah Erickson scored her ninth goal of the season at 5:14 in the first. Emily West had a great effort bringing the puck into the zone. She got the corner on a Wisconsin defenseman and put a shot on goal. UW’s Becca Ruegsegger stopped the initial shot, but Erickson was left alone in front of the net and scored added the follow up. Wisconsin’s Jasmine Giles tied the game at one when she lift the puck top shelf at 7:12 in the first. The Gophers, however, regained the lead when Laura May scored her fifth goal of the season when she put in a goal at 8:51 in the first. May stepped in front of a Wisconsin player, who was trying to center the pass. She carried the puck to the UW zone and put a shot on goal. It went off the defender’s skate and over the head of Ruegsegger to put the game at 2-1. The Gophers were outshot in the first period, 16-8, but the Gophers won the faceoff battle in the first with 12 wins to eight losses.

The Badgers added the pressure in the second period, scoring two goals to take a 3-2 lead after two. Emily Kranz scored an even-strength goal at 14:54 to tie the game, 2-2. Brooke Ammerman helped the Badgers to a 3-2 lead when she added a dagger at 19:57 in the second. Minnesota had to kill off three UW power plays and had four penalties called in the period to Wisconsin’s one. Minnesota was outshot, 14-9 in the period to put a 30-17 shot lead as well.

Wisconsin added to its lead when Mallory Deluce scored at :53 into the third to put the game at 4-2. After the red light went on, the referees didn’t signal the goal and play continued. After a stoppage in play nearly two minutes later, the referees reviewed the play and counted the goal to put the game at the 4-2 final.

Wisconsin put up 43 shots on goal to Minnesota’s 28. Both teams were scoreless on the power play, with all of the goals coming off even-strength attempts. Minnesota did not have their first power-play attempt until the third period, and went scoreless in three attempts. Wisconsin also went scoreless in seven attempts with the extra attacker.

Minnesota will look for the split against Wisconsin on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Gophers Take on Badgers in Border Battle This Weekend
Provided by the University of Minnesota

Minnesota and Wisconsin will compete in a border battle this weekend in Madison, Wis. The Golden Gophers and Badgers will compete on Friday and Sunday at 2 p.m., at the Kohl Center. Minnesota is 26-19-6 overall against the Badgers, dating back to November of 1999.

FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
All of the home games and a majority of the road games will be broadcast live on gophersports.com. This weekend, gophersports.com will have both audio of the games against the Badgers. Fans can follow the Gophers through the Gold Zone. For free score updates go to http://twitter.com/gopherscores.

ABOUT THE BADGERS
Wisconsin enters the Minnesota series with a 3-3-0 overall and WCHA record. Wisconsin has split all three of their series, against North Dakota (10/2-3), Bemidji State (10/10-11) and Ohio State (10/23-24). The Badgers, lost a lot from last year’s championship team, including Patty Kazmaier winner Jessie Vetter, who was a staple in the nets. Along with the loss of players to the Olympics, Wisconsin lost its head coach for the season, Mark Johnson, as he is with the U.S. Olympic Team as its head coach. Tracey DeKeyser is holding the interim head coach position for the 2009-10 season. Although the Badgers have lost some of their firepower from last year, they still have dangerous scoring threats in junior Mallory Deluce, who leads the team with five points, and Brooke Ammerman, who is second with four. UW has played two goalies in its first six games of the season in freshman Becca Ruegsegger and senior Alannah McCready. Ruegsegger has played in four games and holds a 2.02 goals against average, while McCready has seen action in two games and holds a 1.50 GAA and a .946 save percentage.

THE LAST TIME AT THE KOHL CENTER
Last year at the Kohl Center, the Gophers tied 1-1 (10/24/08), and fell, 2-1 (10/26/08). Minnesota’s last win on Wisconsin’s home ice came on November 11, 2007 when the Gophers held onto a 3-2 win. Minnesota was up 3-0 after one period. The Badgers scored two power-play goals in the third, but fell short of the comeback for the final.

THE GOPHER DEFENSE
The Gopher goaltenders have not allowed a goal in 189:09 minutes played. Minnesota’s last goal allowed came in the first game against Minnesota Duluth at 10:51 in the third period. Since then, the Gopher defense has not allowed a goal in three straight games. The Gopher record, however, came in 2007-08 when Minnesota held its opponents scoreless in 268:40 when it shut out Bemidji State and Minnesota State in four games.

GETTING SCORING WHERE THEY NEED IT
In eight games played this season, Minnesota is led in scoring by Emily West with 13 points, followed by Chelsey Jones with 10, Sarah Erickson with nine, Laura May with eight and Anne Schleper with seven. In her first eight games of her senior year, Jones has already matched last year’s totals after transferring from Northeastern to Minnesota. Jones had 10 points as a junior last year. In all, 17 Gophers have earned a point this season, including two goaltenders, Alyssa Grogan and Noora Räty.

Minnesota Trounces St. Cloud State 7-0

Grogan Pushes Shutout String to Three Games

This season, the Gophers have discovered a sure recipe for success – don’t ever allow your opponents to take a lead. For eight straight contests, Minnesota (8-0-0, 6-0-0 WCHA) has never faced a deficit.

Over the last three games, the Gophers have improved on that formula by not allowing any goals against. The Huskies (1-5-0, 0-4-0 WCHA) became the latest victim of a whitewashing, falling 7-0 in front of 1,176 fans in Ridder Arena.

Coach Brad Frost said not allowing a goal all weekend speaks highly of the team defense his charges played.

“We gave up some chances, but both goalies, Alyssa [Grogan] and Noora [Räty], were just tremendous for us,” he said.

Grogan denied 21 shots in earning her first shutout of the season after struggling a bit in her two previous wins.

And as much as a stingy defense relieves the pressure on the offense, early goal support simplifies the life for goaltenders. Minnesota struck for four first-period goals and chased St. Cloud starting goaltender Tayler VanDenakker before the first intermission.

“We didn’t know much about this starting goalie today,” Chelsey Jones said. “We just decided we were going to throw the kitchen sink at them and see how that went.”

Neither VanDenakker nor the Huskies had an apparent answer for the kitchen sink.

Brittany Francis left a defender guarding air at the blue line while skating 4-on-4 and picked the top left corner at 7:32. Two and a half minutes later, Jones ignored the opponent clinging to her back and lifted the first of her two goals past the besieged netminder.

“It is partially the weight room, but it’s also determination,” Jones said. “You just have to be determined to score."

This season, it has been feast or famine for the Gopher power play, and on this day, it dined very well, converting four times in seven chances.

Terra Rasmussen notched the first of four straight extra-strength goals to make it 3-0, sending the water bottle flying in the process. Laura May’s shot at 18:12 handcuffed VanDenakker and sent her to the refuge of the bench.

“I thought our power play was clicking pretty well tonight,” Frost said. “We just wanted to simplify it a little bit and start getting a little more traffic in front – last night in particular we did not do a very good job of that.”

“That was a big issue for us yesterday, and we were definitely not happy with our results,” May said. “So I think one thing we focused on today was coming out and even on the rush putting pressure on.”

When SCSU’s Danielle Hirsch received a major for a check from behind, Minnesota took advantage with two more powerplay goals despite committing two minor penalties of their own during the 5-minute penalty. Kelly Seeler drove home her first of the season from the blue line in the opening seconds, and Jones finished off a rush in the final ones.

“That play started from Grogan playing that puck up to May, and May being able to get the puck over to me,” Jones said.

“Our goalies together have three assists, and it is really pivotal that they’re getting the pucks out. Everyone is contributing, and it’s really a team effort, it’s not just a couple of individuals.”

May closed out the scoring in the third period with her second goal of the game to go with two assists. Becky Kortum, who centers Jones and May on the second line, contributed a pair of helpers.

“We really needed this game for our chemistry,” May said. “We finally just came together and we were burying the puck. And we need that definitely coming into Wisconsin, because that’s going to be a big series, and we’re going to need a lot of goal scorers.”

While much of the attention coming into the season was on the players who had left, recent focus has shifted to those still at Minnesota.

“I didn’t take into account just how hungry these players are to prove that they are great hockey players, too,” Frost said. “And as we’ve talked many times, players who were buried on our fourth line last year continue to step up, and continue to get better and better every game.”

Erickson, West and Räty Lead Gophers to a 4-0 Shutout Win Over SCSU
Provided by the University of Minnesota

The No. 2 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team earned a 4-0 shutout win over the St. Cloud State Huskies, today at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn. Sarah Erickson and Emily West each tallied three points, while Noora Räty added her second consecutive shutout for the win. The Golden Gophers improve their record to 7-0-0 and 5-0-0 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

The Gophers got on the board early when West scored on a rebound attempt just :28 into the contest. The assists went to Erickson, who put on the initial shot and Brittany Francis during the opening shift of the game.

Minnesota opened the floodgates in the second when it scored three goals to put the game at 4-0 after two periods. Erickson and West combined for a pretty goal when they capitalized on a two-on-one attempt at 2:57 in the second. May was on the penalty kill when she added her third goal of the season at 6:39. May took advantage of a SCSU turnover behind their own net and placed the puck short side for her first short-handed goal of her career and her third goal this year. With May’s goal, the Gophers have netted four short-handed goals in seven games this season. West has two, while Chelsey Jones and May each have one.

Erickson added her second goal of the period when she scored on a rebound attempt at 8:04 in the second. Schleper started the play when she passed the puck in the slot where West was waiting. She put the initial shot on, but with a big rebound attempt, Erickson buried the puck for her eighth goal of the season. The Gophers tacked on 17 shots on goal in the period, while allowing nine.

Räty earned her second shutout in two games. After shutting down Minnesota Duluth down last weekend to add her first career shutout, Räty added her second tonight when she had a career-high 32 saves.

Minnesota and St. Cloud State wrap up the series tomorrow at Ridder Arena. Game time is set for 4:07 p.m.

Gophers Face Huskies in a Home-and-Home Series This Weekend
Provided by the University of Minnesota

GOPHERS CONTINUE CONFERENCE ACTION THIS WEEKEND
Minnesota and St. Cloud State will compete in a home-and-home series this weekend. Friday’s action is set for 2:07 p.m. at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn. Saturday’s contest will be held at 4:07 p.m. at Ridder Arena. Minnesota is 39-2-1 all time against the Huskies, dating back to January of 1999.

DID YOU KNOW?
Minnesota is on its best start of the season since the 2004-05 NCAA Championship season. In 2008-09, the Gophers lost their opener to Robert Morris (10/3). Prior to that, the Gophers fell to St. Cloud State (10/13/07), New Hampshire in October 2006 and to St. Lawrence in October of 2005. During the 2004-05 season, Minnesota’s first blemish on the record came on Nov. 20, 2004 when it tied Minnesota Duluth, 2-2.

ABOUT THE HUSKIES
St. Cloud State faces the Gophers after a week off from competition. The Huskies opened the season with a win over Niagara (10/2) and followed with a loss to the Purple Eagles and were swept by Minnesota Duluth Oct. 10-11. In four games played, senior Caitlin Hogan leads SCSU in scoring with six points (5-1—6), followed by Holly Roberts with three. Hogan, Roberts, Danielle Hirsch and Ashley Nixon all competed in the WCHA All-Star game. Nixon has played in two games between the pipes, while sophomore Tayler VanDenakker has started in the other two games.

THERE’S A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING
Two weeks ago, freshman goalie Noora Räty tallied two assists in one game (10/10 at Ohio State). Räty is the first Gopher goaltender to tally two assists in one game since the program started in 1997-98. In fact, Räty is the only Gopher goalie to have two assists in a single season and is already one behind Jody Horak in career points by a goalie. Horak, a Gopher goalie from 2001-05, had three assists during her career.

GETTING SCORING WHERE THEY NEED IT
In the series against Minnesota Duluth, nine Gophers earned a point in the sweep, with four earning multiple-point weekends. Terra Rasmussen had a goal and two assists, while Kelli Blankenship, Chelsey Jones and Kelly Seeler each earned two points. In six games played, Emily West has nine points, followed by Jones with eight, Erickson with six, Anne Schleper with five and Rasmussen and Seeler with four.

WHERE THEY RANK
Although it’s early in the season, Sarah Erickson and Emily West rank high in the WCHA conference scoring. Erickson, West and Ohio State’s Natalie Spooner are tied for league lead with six points. Erickson also leads the league in goal scoring (6) and power-play points (2). Noora Räty ranks second in the WCHA in goals against average (0.67) and save percentage (.976) and first in winning percentage (1.000).

Gophers Shut Out Bulldogs 3-0

Sweep Has Team Leading WCHA Standings

Halfway through a scoreless hockey game, the Gophers were fortunate to still be even with the visiting Bulldogs. UMD used strong fore-check pressure to keep Minnesota (6-0-0, 4-0-0 WCHA) pinned in their own end for long stretches.

That they did not trail was due largely to the efforts of goalie Noora Räty who stymied the Bulldogs (3-3-0, 2-2-0 WCHA) in an often-spectacular fashion.

“When we were at maybe not our best, Noora was at her best and kept us in the game and played extremely well, obviously, earning her first shutout as a Gopher,” Coach Brad Frost said.

The Minnesota penalty kill, which had struggled through the first two weeks of the season in allowing six power-play goals, turned the tide in the Gophers’ favor this time. While paired together on the kill, Brittany Francis sent Emily West in alone and the junior beat goaltender Jennifer Harss upstairs at 12:10 of the second period.

“Fran picked the puck up, it just happened to squirt past the two of their forwards,” West said. “Fran made the perfect pass, and for some reason, their D were all on one side, so got a lucky break and finally finished.”

It was West’s fifth goal and second shorthander of the season.

Play became more physical from that point, with five penalties being assessed in the remainder of the period, and the increase in intensity seemed to inspire Minnesota’s play.

“I don’t think they have anybody who is purposely going to try and cause some commotion, and I don’t think we have anybody like that either,” Frost said. “If somebody does cause a little bit, both teams have some people who certainly won’t shy away from it. It was heated, as it always is, but it was a lot of fun.”

“That got me going a little bit, got the adrenaline rush,” Kelli Blankenship said.

Blankenship, whose senior season started slowly due to a concussion suffered in the first game, took a feed from Terra Rasmussen along the end boards, and wrapped the puck around Harss on the far side for her first goal two minutes into the third session.

“It felt so good,” Blankenship said. “Especially after the fact, and I look and all my teammates are so excited. That just made it so much better.”

When the Bulldogs went on the power play ten minutes later with hopes of getting back into the contest, Chelsey Jones broke their backs with another shorty. Rasmussen once again had the only assist. Both of the team’s shorthanded goals were keyed by long breakout passes to set up the lone rush.

“I think it is more of a common sense thing,” West said. “It opens up a lot of stuff, so if it is open, we’ll definitely do it. And if not, there’s always room to skate underneath and just dump it in and get the puck back on the fore check.”

The coach was happy to see Räty earn her first collegiate shutout after allowing a single goal late in each of her previous three starts.

“You can just see how ticked off she is,” Frost said. “Not because she is dying to get that shutout, but more because she just hates to get scored on. And it’s a pretty darn good attitude to have.”

Managing the goaltender situation promises to be complicated, factoring in Räty’s absences to play for the Finnish national team while trying to keep the other goalies involved.

“I think Alyssa [Grogan] is playing very well in practice, and we just need to get her to work a couple of kinks out in her game, and I know she is willing to do that,” Frost said. “And Jenny [Lura] continues to work hard in practice, too. They’re going to get their opportunities – Noora’s not going to be playing [every game] until she leaves.”

Gophers Take Season’s First Meeting From Bulldogs 3-1

Goaltender Räty Saves 22 Shots

Both Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota have undergone massive changes since the teams last met in January. Graduation, injury, and an Olympic year have necessitated a major revamping of the roster of each.

One need not look beyond the goal crease to see the new identity – the Bulldogs (3-2-0, 2-1-0 WCHA) started German freshman Jennifer Harss. The Gophers (5-0-0, 3-0-0 WCHA) countered with a rookie of their own in
Noora Räty. If the two are destined to meet often during their tenures, score round one to Räty, who turned aside all but one of 23 shots and kept UMD scoreless until the game’s final ten minutes.

“I love playing under pressure; it’s always nice playing tough games,” Räty said.

By the time the Bulldogs got on the board, Anne Schleper, Terra Rasmussen, and Sarah Erickson had each found the twine on the other end.

“From our goalie, to our defensemen, to our forwards, I thought we just played a really sound, solid game,” said Coach Brad Frost.

Minnesota scored in each period, getting the important first goal at 12:53 when Kelli Blankenship’s pass out of the corner connected with Schleper skating in from her point. Schleper’s quick shot beat Harss low to her stick side. The goal was the sophomore defender’s fourth of the season; Chelsey Jones earned the other assist.

“I think tonight there were some great, timely goals,” Frost said. “Obviously that first one is big – if we can get the lead, we always play better with the lead.”

Rasmussen beat Harss through the same opening late in the second stanza off a feed from Kelly Seeler, doubling a precarious one-goal lead.

“That’s kind of my go-to spot is the lower left – good thing that she didn’t see it,” Rasmussen said.

“Getting that goal definitely helped us as a team. Everyone gets riled up.”

After Erickson went upstairs to convert a short-range powerplay opportunity with assists from Seeler and Megan Bozek early in the third, all that remained for Minnesota was to hold off the visitor’s comeback attempt.

Despite the one hiccup, Räty and her defense succeeded in that regard.

“I think our battle level was really good today,” she said. “Our players did an awesome job in our own zone.”

Erickson is off to a fast start with a team-leading six goals.

“To get the goals when I need to get goals and to get in the corner when I need to get in the corner – whatever I can do to help the team, that’s what I’ll do,” Erickson said. “It’s nice to start out the way I am, but it is all a team effort.”

Rasmussen believes it will require a full 60-minute effort to finish off the sweep when the teams meet Saturday at 4:07 in Ridder Arena.

“I think tomorrow, we know our potential and we know that we had a little lull there for a while and got scored on,” she said. “I think tomorrow we’ll come back and be able to take it to them a little more.”

Gophers Host Minnesota Duluth Friday and Saturday
Provided by the University of Minnesota

GOPHERS HOST MINNESOTA DULUTH THIS WEEKEND
Minnesota hosts Minnesota Duluth, Oct. 16-17. Both games will be played at Ridder Arena. Friday’s game is slated for a 7:07 p.m. start, while Saturday’s game is set for 4:07 p.m.

FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
All of the home games and a majority of the road games will be broadcast live on gophersports.com. This weekend, gophersports.com will have both audio/video of the games against the Bulldogs. Fans can follow the Gophers through the Gold Zone. Brian Schulz will also have a live video/audio feed from Ridder Arena on USCHO.com For free score updates go to http://twitter.com/gopherscores.

SHE’S A NATURAL
For the first time since November of 2005, a Minnesota player has scored a natural hat trick. Sarah Erickson accomplished the feat last weekend against Ohio State. Prior to her hat trick, former Gopher Erica McKenzie scored a natural in the November 12, 2005 game against Brown. Erickson scored her trio at 7:28 and 18:28 in the first and 3:37 in the second. Although McKenzie scored four in the game, she had a natural hat trick when she scored a goal in the second (8:49) and added two goals in the third at 11:48 and 13:23 of the third.

THERE’S A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING
Last Saturday, freshman goalie Noora Räty tallied two assists in one game. Räty is the first Gopher goaltender to tally two assists in one game since the program started in 1997-98. In fact, Räty is the only Gopher goalie to have two assists in a single season and is already one behind Jody Horak in career points by a goalie. Horak, a Gopher goalie from 2001-05, had three assists during her career.

GETTING SCORING WHERE THEY NEED IT
In the series against Ohio State, 15 Gophers earned a point in the sweep, including Sarah Erickson and Emily West with five points. Anne Schleper and West led the team with a +7 on the weekend. The hat trick by Erickson was her first of her career. In just four games, West has eight points, followed by Chelsey Jones with six, Erickson with five, Schleper with four and Laura May with three. In the first four games of last season, Erickson had four points, West and Schleper had two, while Jones and May had not established a point.

IN-STATE RIVALRY AT RIDDER THIS WEEKEND
In-state rival Minnesota Duluth comes to town this weekend, with both teams winning its opening Western Collegiate Hockey Association series. Minnesota defeated Ohio State (6-5, 6-1), while the Bulldogs earned two wins (5-3, 2-0) over the St. Cloud State Huskies last weekend. Not only will the two teams be playing for conference points, but also the Northern Star traveling trophy, which dates back to the 1999-2000 season when the two teams entered the WCHA. The Gophers hold an edge in the all-time series, posting a 24-17-5 mark against the Bulldogs.

LAST YEAR AGAINST THE BULLDOGS
Home-ice advantage didn’t fare well for either team last year as the road team held the edge in both series. Minnesota traveled to Duluth, Minn., on Oct. 9-10 last year and came away with a 4-3 overtime win and followed with a 2-0 shutout over the Bulldogs for the series sweep. The Bulldogs came to Ridder Arena on Jan. 23-24 last year and earned a 4-2 win and a 3-3 tie the next day. UMD scored two goals in the third for the eventual tie, but Minnesota won the shootout to gain a WCHA point.

Erickson Nets Hat Trick En Route to 6-1 Win Over OSU
Provided by the University of Minnesota

Sarah Erickson netted a hat trick to lead the No. 2 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team to a 6-1 win over Ohio State University, tonight in Columbus, Ohio. With the win, the Golden Gophers (4-0-0, 2-0-0 WCHA) earned the sweep after a 6-5 win the previous evening.

The Golden Gophers opened the scoring gates in the first period, netting three within the first 20 minutes of play. Sam Downey got the Gophers on the board early when she scored at 2:29 in the first period. The play started behind the Gopher goal as Noora Räty stopped the puck and Mira Jalosuo picked it up. She found Downey near center ice and Downey went in for her first goal as a Golden Gopher. Minnesota added to its lead at 7:28 in the first when Erickson scored on a rebound attempt with the assists to Brittany Francis and Emily West. Minnesota added its third of the period at 18:28 when Erickson scored her second of the stanza. During a five-on-three power-play attempt, Erickson put a shot on goal along the goal line and it trickled in for the goal. The power-play assists went to Kelly Seeler and Megan Bozek.

Minnesota continued to add another two goals in the second period when Erickson completed the hat trick just 3:37 in the second. Erickson and West combined for their second goal of the game when they created a two-on-one and Erickson fired a shot just under the crossbar for her fifth goal of the weekend. West scored a goal of her own at 6:08 in the second when she wound up for a slapshot. Jaimie Horton recorded her first assist of her junior year when she set up West for the goal. OSU cut the Gophers’ lead to four when Natalie Spooner scored a power-play goal at 16:22 in the second.

The Maroon and Gold added the final blow when Anne Schleper scored at 18:42 in the third. Räty stopped a three-on-one attempt and made two saves. Chelsey Jones picked up the puck from there and got the corner over an OSU defender and found Schleper, who was driving the net.

In the series, 15 Gophers earned a point in the sweep, including Erickson and West with five points. Räty tallied two assists in the game. It’s the first time a Gopher goalie has recorded two assists in one game, let alone two in one season.

The Gophers return home to host Minnesota Duluth next weekend. Friday’s game (Oct. 16) is set for 7:07 p.m., while Saturday’s tilt is set for 4:07 p.m.

Erickson Scores Twice in Gopher Women's Hockey Win, 6-5, Over OSU
Provided by the University of Minnesota

After 11 goals scored between the two teams, the No. 2 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team earned a 6-5 win over Ohio State, tonight at the OSU Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio. With the win, the Golden Gophers (3-0-0) earned their first Western Collegiate Hockey Association game of the season in their first conference game played.

The Gophers got on the board first when Terra Rasmussen scored her first goal of the season at 11:06 in the first. Rasmussen fired a wrist shot and the puck slid through Chelsea Knapp’s pads for an early 1-0 lead. Michelle Maunu and Chelsey Jones assisted on the play. OSU tied the game at 1-1 when Kelly Wild scored a power-play goal at 17:04 in the first, but Minnesota regained the lead at 18:11 to hold a 2-1 lead after one. Laura May was fore checking in the OSU zone and intercepted a pass. She shot the puck off the right post and off into the net.

Five goals were scored in the second period, including three by the Gophers. Sarah Erickson scored just :15 into the second with the assists coming from Mira Jalosuo and Emily West. OSU followed with a goal at 5:20 in the second by Minttu Tuominen. Becky Kortum scored her first goal as a Golden Gopher when she backhanded the puck and lifted it to the top left corner of the goal at 16:26 in the second. Melissa Feste cut the lead to one when she scored at 16:52 in the second to put the game at 4-3. Emily West scored her third goal of the season at 18:18 in the second. West made a great play as she picked up the loose puck at center ice. She went one-on-one against Knapp. West won the battle for her third goal of the season.

OSU battled back and scored at 2:37 to again, cut the lead to one. Minnesota, however, battled back to put the game to a two-goal deficit with 5:03 remaining in the period. Erickson netted her second goal of the game, tying a career high on an unassisted play. The last time Erickson had two goals in a single game came on Oct. 4, 2008 when she helped the Gophers to a 7-1 win over Robert Morris, her second game as a Golden Gopher. Erickson took advantage of an OSU turnover in the right circle and rifled a shot into the left corner (over Knapp’s right shoulder) for the goal. It would eventually prove to be the game-winner as the Buckeyes scored one last time at 19:39. OSU pulled Knapp with 1:45 remaining in the game. With the extra attacker, Hokey Langan scored at 19:39 to put the game at 6-5. However, the Gophers were able to hold on for the win, their third of the year.

Alyssa Grogan earned her second win of the season. She faced the most shots in her career and 39 and had the most saves of her career at 34. Her previous best was 36 shots and 33 saves against Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 10, 2008.

Minnesota had a two-goal lead four times in the game, only to have OSU battle back and cut the lead to one each time. Minnesota was 0-for-3 on the power play, while OSU was 3-for-7. Minnesota had two attempts in the first and not again until the third period. Of the two power-play opportunities the Gophers had in the first, they had nine shots on goal with the extra attacker.

Minnesota and Ohio State will battle again tomorrow night at 7:07 p.m.

Schleper and Jones Each Score Two in 4-1 Win Over Syracuse
Provided by the University of Minnesota

The No. 3 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team earned a series sweep and a 4-1 win over Syracuse, today at Ridder Arena. Anne Schleper and Chelsey Jones each netted two goals for the win. The Golden Gophers improve to 2-0-0 on the season.

Minnesota got on the board twice in the first period when Anne Schleper scored back-to-back power-play goals 50 seconds in between each other at 7:03 and 7:53. In her first, a Syracuse penalty-killer was trying to clear the puck from the left corner, but Schleper was camped at the blue line and fired the puck back into play and a shot on goal. Using a screen in front of the net, the puck slid through Syracuse goalie Lucy Schoedel’s pads for the first goal. In her second goal, Schleper fired a shot just inside the blue line in the center of the zone for her second goal of the period and the year. Chelsey Jones won the faceoff and was credited with the single assist.

Syracuse cut the Gophers’ lead to one when Megan Skelly took advantage of a Minnesota turnover at 11:03 in the second. However, Jones put the game back to a two-goal lead when she scored her second goal in two days at 15:29 in the second. Mira Jalosuo started the play off the left boards and passed it to Laura May. She found Jones in the slot and she shot the puck in the right corner (over Schoedel’s left shoulder) for the goal.

Jones added an additional goal at 18:39 in the third period. May and Jones created a two-on-one with May taking the first shot, with Jones adding the follow-up for her second goal and third point of the game. Becky Kortum added her first point as a Golden Gopher when she added the second assist.

Noora Räty played in her first collegiate game today. She had six saves in the first, six in the second and five in the third for a three-period total of 17. Minnesota went 2-for-5 on the power-play, while holding the Orange scoreless in five attempts, including a five-on-three power-play.

Minnesota begins the Western Collegiate Hockey Association season next weekend when it travels to Ohio State, Sept. 9-10. Both games are set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) starts at the OSU Ice Rink. Minnesota returns home, Sept. 16-17 when the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs come to town. Friday’s game is at 7:07 p.m., followed by a 4:07 p.m. tilt Saturday.

Jones Lifts Gophers to a 4-3 Win in Season Opener
Provided by the University of Minnesota

Chelsey Jones scored the game-winning, power-play goal to lift the No. 3 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team to a season-opening win, tonight at Ridder Arena. Emily West had three points and nine shots in the win, while a total of six players contributed points. The series against Syracuse concludes Sunday at 2 p.m. at Ridder Arena.

The win tonight marks the 12th time in school history the Gophers have opened their season with a win. The only time in school history that the Gophers did not win the first game of the season came last year in a loss to Robert Morris.

The Gophers suffered an early blow when first-line center Sarah Erickson was called for a five-minute checking from behind just 12 seconds into the contest. However, the Gophers were able to hold off the Orange and only allowed four shots on goal as Syracuse was also called for a penalty during that time, leaving the Orange with three minutes of power play. Minnesota scored its first goal of the season at 13:42 in the first when West scored an unassisted goal. West had a great individual play, when she blocked a shot at the Minnesota blueline and went one on one with goalie Lucy Schoedel. She placed the puck ride side under Schoedel's arm for the early 1-0 lead.

West scored her second goal of the game at 5:03 in the second period. Anne Schleper wound up for a slapshot at the right point, which Schoedel saved. However, West banged in the rebound attempt for her second goal of the game and 32nd of her career. The Orange, however, cut the lead to one when Julie Rising scored a power-play goal at 9:13 in the second, bringing the game to 2-1 after two.

The third period was an up-and-down battle between the two teams, scoring four goals in the stanza. Syracuse tied the game at 9:13 when Janelle Malcolm scored a power-play goal. Brittany Francis helped the Gophers re-gain the lead just :36 later at 7:17 in the third with West tallying the lone assist. Francis beat the Syracuse defenseman for her 93rd point of her career. Malcolm scored her second goal of the period at 9:30 when she scored on a rebound attempt. Minnesota, however, took advantage of its third power-play attempt at 17:02 in the third when Chelsey Jones tipped in a Kelly Seeler slapshot, while Megan Bozek tallied the second assist.

Minnesota was 1-3 on the power play, while Syracuse was 2-4. The Gophers had five penalties for 21 minutes, while SU visited the sin bin four times for eight minutes. Alyssa Grogan was in net for the Gophers and had 15 saves, while Schoedel had 30 saves, including 15 in the second period.

Tom Osiecki Returns to Gopher Coaching Staff
Provided by the University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota women’s hockey head coach Brad Frost has announced that Tom Osiecki has been named an assistant coach for the Golden Gopher program. Osiecki will serve as an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season as Natalie Darwitz is training with the United States National Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics. She is planning on returning as a Gopher assistant coach for the 2010-11 season. The appointment marks the second time in three years Osiecki has been with the Gopher women’s hockey program. He was an assistant coach during Frost’s interim season in 2007-08. Osiecki’s responsibilities begin July 20th and he will primarily coach the defensemen.

“I am excited to have Coach Osiecki come back to the Golden Gopher family,” Frost said. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge both on and off the ice and we couldn’t be happier that he is rejoining the staff.”

Osiecki’s hockey knowledge comes from all levels of the game. In over 40 years of coaching hockey, Osiecki has coached both boy’s and girl’s hockey as well as holding an NHL scouting position. He started his coaching career in 1964 when he was the head coach of the St. Agnes boy’s team until 1966. Osiecki started the Burnsville High School boy’s program in 1966 and coached at BHS for 24 years, where he led the Braves to two state championships. His high school coaching career ended for a brief time when he took a position with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars as an NHL scout from 1990 to 1995. From there, he began his experience with girls’ and women’s hockey coaching. Osiecki coached the Burnsville girl’s team from 1996-98 and started the St. Olaf College program, where he coached from 2000-04. He returned to Burnsville to coach the girl’s team from 2004-06. Most recently, Osiecki was the head coach of the USA Hockey Blaine Residency Program from September to April last year. He coached women’s hockey players during on-ice practices as well as games during that span.

A legend within the Minnesota hockey realm, Osiecki was inducted into the Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 1995 and also earned the Cliff Thompson Award, given to members of the hockey community who make outstanding contributions to the sport in Minnesota. He was also the Minnesota Hockey Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1986 (at Burnsville) and the MIAC Women’s Hockey Coach of the Year in 2002 (St. Olaf).

Osiecki and his wife Bev, reside in Burnsville and have two sons, Mark and Matt. Mark is currently an assistant coach with the Wisconsin men’s hockey team.

“I am really excited to return to the Gopher hockey program,” Osiecki said. “When Brad and I started talking about the possibility, it just seemed right. Already being familiar with the coaches, the student-athletes and the staff, I am thrilled to return and am looking forward to next season.”

Lamoureux Twins Released
Provided by the University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota women’s hockey head coach Brad Frost has granted Jocelyne Lamoureux and Monique Lamoureux a release and the University of North Dakota has been granted permission to contact the Grand Forks, N.D., natives.

“We had a great year with Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux and we thank them for being a part of our team,” Frost said. “We wish them well in their future endeavors.”

Although there are no NCAA Division I women’s hockey transfer rules, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association requires all athletes transferring within the league to sit out for a full year of competition.

Comeback Falls Short as the Gophers Lose, 5-4, in the National Semifinal Game
Provided by the University of Minnesota

Despite a rally at the end of the game and being down 5-1, the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team fell, 5-4 to Mercyhurst College, Friday night at the Agganis Arena in Boston. The Golden Gophers finish the season with a 32-5-3 overall record and stopped just short of their goal to reach the NCAA Championship game.

Minnesota scored at 5:29 in the first and allowed five straight goals before scoring three straight in the third period at 11:13, 15:24 and 18:43 in the third, but the comeback fell just short.

The Frozen Four marked the sixth time the Golden Gopher program made it to the big dance and the first under head coach Brad Frost. Minnesota’s previous appearances came in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and now in 2009.

Gigi Marvin got the Gophers on the board when she scored her 29th goal of the season at 5:29 in the first. Minnesota started the play when Rachael Drazan found Gigi Marvon just after center and placed it top-shelf past Hillary Pattenden. However, MC roared back and scored three unanswered goals to put the game at 3-1 after the first period.

The Lakers’ first goal came on a five-on-three attempt at 8:38 in the first period when Valerie Chouinard put the puck short-side past Gopher goalie Alyssa Grogan. Minnesota couldn’t stay out of the box as the Lakers scored their second power-play goal of the period at 15:47 in the first with the goal coming from Bailey Bram. Meghan Agosta added the final blow of the period when she scored her 40th goal of the season at 18:46. Minnesota and MC each had 10 shots on goal during the period, but the Lakers capitalized on three of their attempts.

With the three goals allowed, it knocked out Gopher starting goalie Alyssa Grogan as she was replaced with Jenny Lura. Meghan Corbett scored on a tip-in at 3:40 in the second period. Agosta scored her second goal of the game at 19:56 to add another blow to Minnesota’s deficit as she banged in a rebound attempt for her 41st goal of the year.

Minnesota attempted a comeback scoring three goals for the 5-4 final. Jen Schoullis scored her 19th goal of the season at 11:13 in the third on a power-play attempt. Marvin brought the puck deep into the zone and spun around and found Schoullis crashing the net through the slot. She banged home the puck for her 19th goal of the season. Marvin scored her second goal of the game at 15:24 in the third. With 2:12 remaining in the game, the Gophers pulled Lura to add the extra attacker. Monique Lamoureux scored her 39th goal of the season at 18:43, while Drazan and Marvin added the assists. In the final minute of the game, the Gophers had their chances to tie up the game, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

Minnesota attempted 13 shots in the second and 14 in the third, while allowing only seven shots in the second and five in the third for 22 shots. In all, Minnesota rattled off 37 shots on goal.