The weekend saw a lot of interesting clashes between ranked teams, as well as the first games of the season for the Ivy League teams.
No. 1 Wisconsin at No. 9 North Dakota
Emily Clark scored a third-period goal and Sarah Nurse ensured the win with an empty-netter to give the Badgers the 2-0 win on Saturday. It was Ann-Renée Desbiens’ 41st career shutout. She’s now two away from tying the NCAA career mark. On Sunday, it was the Sarah Nurse show, as she scored four of the Badgers’ five goals to lead them to a 5-2 victory and weekend sweep.
No. 2 Minnesota at Ohio State
Sarah Potomak tallied her first career hat trick and her third game-winning goal of the season to give the Gophers the win on Friday. On Saturday, the Gophers outshot the Buckeyes 57-19, but needed yet another late game-winning goal from Potomak to secure the sweep. Saturday’s win marked the 300th in coach Brad Frost’s career. The Gophers surrendered the first goal in each game for the fifth and sixth consecutive time this season.
No. 3 Quinnipiac vs. No. 6 Boston College (home-and-home)
Friday afternoon’s game featured 10 penalties — including seven in the second period — but neither team were able to bury the puck as they ended in a 0-0 tie. It was the first time BC was held scoreless since February 2014, a streak that spanned 106 games. Caitrin Lonergan’s short-handed goal and two assists led the Eagles in their 4-1 win on Saturday. It was another stilted match, this time with 11 penalties, but both teams were able to tally power-play goals.
No. 10 Bemidji State at No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth
Katerina Mrázová was the hero for the Bulldogs as she scored both goals on the way to UMD’s 2-1 win on Friday. She became the third Bulldog to score two goals in a game already this season. On Saturday, Bemidji’s Emma Terres scored twice to bring the Beavers back from behind and salvage a 3-3 tie. Minnesota-Duluth won the shootout to earn the extra conference point and take possession of third place in the WCHA.
Princeton at Providence
The Ivies hit the ice this weekend and Princeton proved it deserved its preseason No. 7 ranking in the polls as the Tigers swept Providence 4-2 and 7-3. On Friday, the Tigers scored two goals in the final five minutes of the game to secure the win. Freshman Sylvie Wallin scored her first collegiate point when she netted the game-winning goal. On Saturday, 12 Tigers skaters showed up on the score sheet, with five having a multi-point afternoon.
The rest of the top 10:
No. 5 Colgate vs. Syracuse (home-and-home)
The Raiders took the first game 3-2. On Saturday, they fought to a 2-2 tie.
No. 7 St. Lawrence vs. Vermont (home-and-home)
Kennedy Marchment had a goal and two assists as the Saints continued their winning ways with a sweep at Vermont.
No.8 Clarkson at New Hampshire
Clarkson put up two straight 3-1 wins to sweep New Hampshire.
