One night after a challenging 2-0 win over Bemidji State, it was more of the same as the No. 1 Gophers were held scoreless in the first period. The Beaver miracle was not fulfilled, however, as Minnesota exploded for three goals in a five-minute span of the second period en route to a 5-0 victory.
“We played better today – that second period was really the difference,” said Minnesota coach Laura Halldorson. “We were able to get that first goal and the flood gates for awhile.”
Minnesota co-captain Krissy Wendell led the Gophers (16-1-2, 14-0-2 WCHA) with two goals and two assists for the day, and she scored the games first goal at 3:52 of the first period.
“I thought they were much faster today – they had the puck so much.” said Bemidji coach Bruce Olson. “Speed and skill took over today, and we just ended up chasing them. You can’t catch those Olympians. They just move the puck around so well, so we just needed to tighten up the defense and take our bounces.”
The Gopher scoring flurry began at 10:52 when Lyndsay Wall pinched down from the blue line and scored. Erica McKenzie added to the Gopher lead at 13:58 when she sent a twisted wrister over the shoulder of the Beavers’ net-minder from the bottom of the circle. Wendell netted her second goal at 14:52 when she intercepted an errant pass in the Beaver zone and shook off the defense.
After the fourth goal, Bemidji (5-16-1, 1-15-0) called timeout and pulled goalie Emily Brookshaw, who stopped 27 of 31 shots. In came yesterday’s starter Jill Luebke, who stopped 39 of 41 last night and finished with 13 of 14 saves today.
“Any time you can get the other team to take a time out you know you have the momentum, and they made a change in goal.” Halldorson said.
Special teams did not notch a goal until the third period as the Beavers held the No. 1 power play in the nation to a 1-for-4 mark. Freshman Bobbi Ross scored the lone power play goal at 12:55 of the third period.
“She made some great moves today to get in close.” Halldorson said of Ross. “She was dangling out there and it wasn’t going in for her, I am glad to see her get rewarded with the goal today.”
The Gopher defense kept Bemidji to the sides and blocked shots to make life easier for senior goalie Jody Horak. She made 16 saves for her sixth shutout of the season.
Minnesota will resume play at home next weekend against No.9 Brown.
