The Gophers started scoring immediately after the opening faceoff. Minnesota’s first shot on goal was a success as Catie Skaja scored to give the Gophers a 1-0 lead within the first minute of the game. The rest of the period was a defensive battle between the two teams with very few shots on net on either side. At the climax of the first 20 minutes, Crystalyn Hengler sniped the Gophers’ second goal past the pads of Jojo Chobak with 12.6 seconds remaining. The Gophers would lead Minnesota-Duluth 2-0 with an 11-5 shots on goal advantage.
“The fast start from the drop of the puck is huge for us,” said Skaja. “We haven’t really had that for the last few games, so I think being able to get a goal or get opportunities just brings confidence throughout the whole lineup and allows us to just play free and have fun.”
Minnesota added to their lead in the second period. Abigail Boreen netted the Gophers’ third goal of the game during the first five minutes of action. The Gophers would retain their 3-0 lead throughout the period as Minnesota-Duluth could not get many solid scoring opportunities. Minnesota led in shots on goal 27-14.
In the first 14 seconds of the third period, WCHA Player of the Year Taylor Heise scored for the Gophers, extending their lead to 4-0 over the Bulldogs. Five minutes later, Elizabeth Giguere scored the first Bulldogs goal to cut the Gophers’ lead down to three goals. That goal wouldn’t amount to anything as the Gophers would win 5-1 after an Emily Brown empty net goal. The Gophers would outshoot Minnesota-Duluth 39-22 en route to victory.
“I’m really proud of our group, I thought it was a pretty thorough performance,” said head coach Brad Frost. “Tonight, when you get into the playoffs man, you have to play 60 minutes of hockey and I thought our team did a great job with that.”
Minnesota will face the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes tomorrow at 1 PM CT for the WCHA Championship. Following the Gophers win over the Bulldogs, Ohio State beat the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers 2-1.
“It’s a journey,” said Madeline Wethington. “We’ve been going at it since late September and it can be long. We just really try to focus on taking one game at a time and not getting too ahead of ourselves…Honestly we play in the best conference in the country and it’s just so fun playing each and every game. I’m getting older and I’m realizing I only have a few more years left and just enjoy every moment because everyday matters.”
