The Minnesota Gophers defeated the St. Thomas Tommies 5-1 on Saturday afternoon to advance to the WCHA Final Faceoff.
Catie Skaja had a first period to remember. She netted two goals back-to-back within 3 minutes of play, boosting the Gophers lead to a 2-0 lead. Later in the period, leading scorer Taylor Heise sailed the puck into the net to make the game 3-0. St. Thomas switched goalies this game, but starting Saskia Maurer made no difference for Minnesota, who ended the first period up by three goals. The Gophers outshot St. Thomas 25-6 in that period.
“It was nice,” said Skaja about the Gophers’ first-period offensive onslaught. “Yesterday we came out a little flat so getting on pucks and moving our feet when the puck came our way is what led to that success, along with getting second and third opportunities from shots.”
The Gophers and Tommies traded off goals in the second period. Minnesota’s Crystalyn Hengler sniped a shot from the blue line to extend the Golden Gopher lead to 4. Jenna Hartung scored the first goal of St. Thomas’ postseason campaign to cut the Gophers lead back to three. To cap off the period, Audrey Wethington notched a goal to put the Gophers up 5-1 going into the final 20 minutes. Minnesota led in shots on goal 46-10.
5-1 would be the final score as neither team could put the puck in the back of the net in the third period. St. Thomas for the first time this season against Minnesota held them scoreless in a period. Eryn Cooley made three saves as she saw some action late in the game for St. Thomas, subbing in for Maurer at goalie. Minnesota dominated in shots on goal, 60-20.
“This time of year you are wanting to play well and advance and we were able to do that with a win here today,” said head coach Brad Frost. “Really proud of our group the way they played this weekend. They were just buzzing. Olivia Knowles playing 165 games and setting the record for most games as a Gopher was a really neat thing for her who doesn’t take any day for granted.”
The Gophers will play at home again next weekend for the WCHA Final Faceoff which is hosted by Ridder Arena. Either the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs or the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks will be Minnesota’s opponent next Saturday.
