The Gophers women’s hockey team finished an opening-weekend sweep of seventh ranked Clarkson Saturday afternoon as they shutout the Golden Knights 3-0 in Potsdam, N.Y.

Freshman Amanda Kessel scored the first goal of the game for the Gophers 16:39 through the second period and added an assist in the third period.  Kessel led the Gophers with six points on the weekend.

The Gophers added third-period goals by defensemen Megan Bozek and Anne Schleper to seal the game.

“Once we got that (first goal), we started to roll a little more, and got a couple more (goals) and just played a really complete hockey game offensively and defensively,” Coach Brad Frost said. 

Clarkson continued to struggle against Minnesota.  The Golden Knights have managed two goals in five loses against the Gophers.

Senior Alyssa Grogan started in goal for the Gophers saving 18 shots on her way to a shutout.  Frost said Grogan and sophomore Noora Raty, who shut out Clarkson Friday night, will split time in front of the net going forward.

The Gophers dominated Clarkson statistically outshooting them 49-18 and winning 43 of the 65 faceoffs, but they struggled to score in the first two periods producing one goal on 34 shots. 

Clarkson couldn’t capitalize on the power play the entire weekend finishing with zero goals on 14 attempts.