Third period: The Gophers scored a short-handed goal when Monique Lamoureux scored on a breakaway. MSU came back and scored seven minutes later to bring the game to 2-1. The Gophers made things interesting when first-year Kelly Seeler took a penalty with 1:29 remaining in the one-goal game. MSU took this chance to pull their goalie. Jocelyne Lamoureux was taken down on a breakaway for a MSU penalty. With 26 seconds left, MSU pulled their goalie to try to tie the game but were unable to score. Second period: The Gophers came out more put together with their passes reaching Gopher sticks. MSU took a penalty and the Gophers capitalized when junior Brittany Francis sat at the goal line, caught a pass from senior captain Melanie Gagnon, and put it in the net. Shots on net are in favor of the Gophers 24-11. First period: No one has scored in the first period but the Gophers look sloppy. Minnesota is starting to look frustrated. Passes aren’t completed and the Mavericks haven’t made that many mistakes. MSU has used their speed to create many odd-man rushes. MSU had two penalties, but on their first the Gophers took two penalties and ended up on the short end of a five-on-three. Both teams have seven shots on goal.

Pre-game:

Coach Brad Frost has switched up the first two lines, with first-year Sarah Erickson and sophomore Emily West switching. The lines look like this:

Erickson-Marvin-Francis

West-J. Lamoureux-M. Lamoureux

Blankenship-Schoullis-Jones

Rasmussen-Horten-May

Seeler-Gagnon

Drazan-Maunu

Schleper-Willey

Starting in goal for the Gophers is first-year Alyssa Grogan. She was the former teammate of Minnesota State’s starting goaltender first-year Alli Altmann at Eagan High School, where current Gophers assistant coach Natalie Darwitz was a coach.

The Gophers will need to keep their feet moving, as Minnesota State is known as a quick team. On a side note, the women’s hockey alumni game is tomorrow at noon. Rumor has it about 20 former Gophers will participate. It hasn’t been said what ones. Not much else to note at the beginning of the game. Stay tuned…