The Gophers’ rivalry is renewed as they take on UMD ar Ridder arena.
Duluth almost strikes first as they knock the puck in at 8:34, but the net had been moved during play. Score remains 0-0. Minnesota strikes first for the fifth straight time this season as Anne Schleper knocks one in. Blankenship and Jones scored assists. Gophers lead 1-0 after one. Minnesota outshot the Bulldogs 15-8 in the first period. The emotion is evident on the ice as an official already had to calm down Gopher wing Emily West and an opponent after a brief shoving match. Minnesota has been able to stay out of the penalty box for the most part, only serving 2 minutes for West’s cross check. Blankenship makes her return after suffering a concussion against Syracuse two weeks ago. The Gophers add to the lead after junior Terra Rasmussen slaps the puck past Harss from just inside the blue line to make it 2-0. Sophomore Kelly Seeler scored the assist. Minnesota goes into the third period in the lead 2-0. Head coach Brad Frost said earlier in the week that he’d like to see his team stay out of the penalty box, which so far has not been much of a problem as the Gophers have only served 4 minutes in penalties. Minnesota continued to outshoot UMD in the second period 10-5 bringing the total to 25-13. Noora Raty holds on to what would be her first career shutout with 13 saves through the first two periods. Minnesota extends its lead as Sarah Erickson scores her sixth goal of the season at 17:07. Seeler scores her second assist of the game and freshman Megan Bozek scored the secondary assist. The Bulldogs cut the lead to 3-1 after Emmanuelle Blais slips the puck past a diving Raty. Sarah Murray scored the assist. The Gophers hang on to defeat UMD 3-1. Minnesota outshot UMD 38-23. The Bulldogs had several chances to score in the last half of the third period, but Raty’s strong play kept the puck out of the net. She ended with 22 saves. The Gophers only spent 6 minutes in the penalty box. The two teams will meet again Saturday at Ridder arena at 4 p.m.
