Rookie Kristy Oonincx scored her sixth game-winning goal of the season, sending No. 1 Minnesota to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. Minnesota was down 2-1 midway through the third period before the Gophers fought back to win their sixth overtime game this season.
On the winner, Noelle Sutton won the faceoff to the left of Reinen. The loose puck was picked up by Curtin, who passed to Stephens at center ice and set up a two-on-one opportunity. Oonincx took a cross-ice pass from Stephens and put it over MacMillan’s shoulder for the game winner at 1:33 in overtime.
Wisconsin struck first at 10:29 of the first period as Kerry Weiland scored a power-play goal to put the Badgers up 1-0 by the 11-minute mark. Minnesota had seven shots on goal after the Weiland goal, including five on a power-play attempt. The Gophers, however, were unable to put the puck in the net and allowed the lead to stand into the first intermission. Minnesota and Wisconsin combined had 12 shots on goal in the second stanza and went scoreless through the period.
Minnesota, which was shut out 2-0 Saturday, scored its first goal on the weekend 10 seconds into the third period. Kelly Stephens scored her 18th goal of the season with the assists going to Ronda Curtin and La Toya Clarke. It was the first goal for Stephens since Jan. 27, against Findlay. Wisconsin answered Stephens’ goal at 11:56 when Steph Millar’s deflection off a Molly Engstrom pass, which came from behind the net, found its way passed rookie goalie Brenda Reinen.
Minnesota was down 2-1 when Tracy Engstrom picked up the loose puck at the top of the circles and put a wrist shot through Wisconsin goalie Jackie MacMillian’s legs at 16:32 of the third. It was the second goal in three games for Engstrom. Minnesota would have four additional shots on goal but was unable to score a goal and sent the game into overtime.
