The No. 2 Minnesota womenâÄôs hockey team took care of business over the weekend, sweeping in-state rival No. 5 Minnesota-Duluth with a 3-1 win on Friday and a 3-0 shutout on Saturday at Ridder Arena. The team improved its record to 6-0-0 overall and 4-0-0 in the WCHA. On Friday, the Gophers seemed to be in control for most of the game as they took a 3-0 lead into the middle of the third period, when UMD junior Emmanuelle Blais scored to put the Bulldogs within two. UMD kept up the pressure for the rest of the third period, but because of goalie Noora RätyâÄôs nine third period saves, the Gophers were able to hold on to the 3-1 victory. The Gophers outshot the Bulldogs 38-23 and went 1-5 in power play opportunities. Sophomore Anne Schleper scored her fourth goal of the season, while Terra Rasmussen added her second. Sophomore Kelly Seeler had two assists. Sophomore Sarah Erickson scored the GopherâÄôs final goal in the victory, giving her a team-leading sixth goal of the season . âÄúWhatever I can to do help the team, thatâÄôs what IâÄôll do,âÄù Erickson said. âÄúItâÄôs nice to start out the way I am, but itâÄôs all a team effort.âÄù SaturdayâÄôs game started much like FridayâÄôs ended as the Bulldogs kept the pressure on the Gophers in a tight back and forth battle. It took an Emily West breakaway goal to break up the scoreless tie halfway through the second period when she happened to pick up the loose puck after just getting out of the penalty box. The Gophers have scored first in every game this year, which West said is not only a confidence booster for the team, but it also deflates their opponent. Kelli Blankenship added a goal two minutes into the third to give the Gophers a 2-0 lead. It was BlankenshipâÄôs first goal of the year after missing last weekendâÄôs trip due to a concussion suffered during the first game of the year against Syracuse. Senior Chelsey Jones then gave Minnesota its second shorthanded goal of the night 12 minutes into the third period. The Gophers would go on to win 3-0. Räty recorded her first shutout of her career Saturday , finishing with 29 saves. âÄúI was really happy for her to get her first shutout,âÄù Gophers head coach Brad Frost said. âÄúShe loves stopping the puck and doesnâÄôt like anything getting by her.âÄù Emotions ran high in SaturdayâÄôs game as officials were forced to break up a small scrum in front of the Minnesota net during the second period. Minnesota outshot Duluth 37-29 in SaturdayâÄôs contest, but failed to capitalize on four power plays. But overall, Frost said he is seeing good things from the young squad and hopes they can carry their success into the rest of the year. âÄúIâÄôm so excited to see our players emerge and continue to play as a team,âÄù Frost said. âÄúIn order to beat a team like Duluth and sweep them you have to play some really good hockey, and I think we did that this weekend.âÄù Minnesota is now in the lead in the WCHA standings with eight points, while UMD, Bemidji State, and Wisconsin are all tied for second with four points. The Gophers head to St. Cloud next Friday and come back to Minneapolis to take on the Huskies again on Saturday. FridayâÄôs game is slated for 2 p.m. while SaturdayâÄôs will start at 4 p.m.