No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth peppered Minnesota goalie Brittony Chartier with shots at times, but she stopped them all, and the No. 5 Gophers completed a season series split with a 2-0 win over the Bulldogs.
The Gophers (16-7-1, 11-6-1 WCHA) were outshot 16-3 in the first period, but they earned the period’s lone goal at 17:10. Andrea Nichols scored her fifth goal of the season on a power-play attempt as she batted in a rebound in front of the net. Jenelle Philipczyk assisted on the goal to extend her point tally to three for the weekend.
Minnesota outshot UMD 16-6 in a penalty filled second period, but there were no points on the scoreboard.
The Bulldogs added on the pressure in the third with 13 shots in the period. With 14:00 remaining, Chartier made a spectacular save as she grabbed behind her and stopped the puck from going in the net. The Bulldogs also had a five-on-three opportunity for over :46, but the Gophers and Chartier did not allow a goal.
Becky Wacker cushioned the Gophers’ lead when she scored her second goal of the season at 11:00 of the third. Whitney Graft battled with a UMD player in the back boards and gained control. She then passed the puck to Wacker, who placed the puck through the five-hole for the goal.
Chartier earned her 11th win of the season. She has now shut out her opponents for eight consecutive periods. The last time Chartier has given up a goal dates back to the Minnesota State 1-1 overtime tie on Dec. 10.
Minnesota allowed three power-play goals yesterday, but stopped all nine Bulldog attempts in the 2-0 win. UMD had 13 shots on goal, but could not convert. Minnesota was one-for-seven with the extra attacker. UMD finished with 35 shots, while Minnesota had 29.
The Gophers are on the road for the second straight week when they travel to Ohio State, Jan. 27-28 in Columbus, Ohio. UMD will play a pair at St. Cloud.
