Colonials Stun Gophers 3-2
Minneapolis, Mn -- The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Womens hockey team opened the regular season Friday night hosting the Robert Morris Colonials at Ridder Arena in the East/West Shootout.
While it was the first meeting between the two schools, it wasn't the first time Robert Morris faced a WCHA opponent . Last season the Colonials played Wisconsin, St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State, and posted a 2-5-1 record. Overall they finished the season 12-22-1 (2-11-0 CHA) under second year coach Nate Handrahan.
The Gophers played two exhibition games last weekend beating the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) 8-0, and losing in overtime to the United States Select Team 3-2. On the weekend, Minnesota had 15 players earn a point. Freshman Sarah Erickson had a goal and three assists, as well as scoring a goal during the shootout against Team USA. Kelli Blankenship scored a goal in each game and tallied an assist for three total points. Also earning multiple points over the exhibition games were Gigi Marvin and Brittany Francis with three points (one goal, two assists), Monique Lamoureux (2-0-2) and Emily West (1-1-2).
On the other side, Robert Morris opened their season last weekend with an exhibition game against the Guelph Gryphons winning 4-1, and getting two goals each from senior Megan Picinic and sophomore Sara O'Malley.
Minnesota had no problem from the first face-off getting into the zone and setting up their offense, the problem was they couldn't get any past Colonials goaltender Brianne McLaughlin. The sophomore made 18 saves in the opening period, and finished the game with 63.
Robert Morris converted their first power play chance of the game, when Senior Morgan Beikirch's wrist shot from the side of the net hit off Gophers netminder Kim Hanlon's back and into the net at 8:02 of the first period. The Colonials added another one at 17:46 from freshman Brianna Delaney and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
Minnesota started the second period with a barrage of shots on McLaughlin, but she once again turned all of them away. Robert Morris scored their second power play goal of the game at 5:46 off the stick of junior Jacki Gibson and led 3-0.
Having given up three goals on seven shots faced, Gophers head coach Brad Frost decided to make goaltending change and pulled Hanlon in favor of Sophomore Jenny Lura.
Minnesota finally got on the board as Freshman Anne Schleper scored her first career goal on the power play, a slapper from the left face off dot, at 6:42, to cut the deficit 3-1.
With just a few minutes left in the third, the Gophers called timeout, pulled their goalie, and with the extra attacker sophomore Emily West scored at 18:55 to cut the lead Colonials lead 3-2, and the Gophers scored the what looked like game tying goal with :41 seconds left but it was waived off due to a player in the crease, and despite being outshot 65-10 Robert Morris won it over third ranked Minnesota 3-2.
Face off for Saturday nights game is 7:07pm.
Game Note:
It was a homecoming of sort for Colonials Maria Stoa. The former Eden Prairie Eagle played in 31 games last year registering 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points. The sophomore centre finished the game a plus-1 with one shot on goal and was called for a hooking penalty at 18:10 of the third period.
GAME STATS:
Minnesota Team Summary
Player --------------------G A PIM Sh +/-
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 0 0 8 0
Sarah Erickson--------------- 0 0 0 4 0
Laura May------------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Rachael Drazan------------- 0 1 2 7 -1
Kelli Blankenship------------ 0 0 0 2 0
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Brittany Francis-------------- 0 0 0 3 0
Jocelyne Lamoure------------- 0 1 2 5 -1
Chelsey Jones--------------- 0 0 2 3 0
Emily West-------------------1 0 2 5 0
Gili Marvin-------------------0 1 0 4 0
Alexandra Zebro------------- 0 0 2 0 0
Monique Lamoureu -------- 0 1 6 11 -1
Anne Schleper--------------- 1 0 0 6 0
Dagney Willey---------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Jen Schoullis----------------- 0 0 4 2 -1
Terra Rasmussen----------- 0 0 0 0 0
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Goalie Stats
Minnesota
Kim Hanlon (Loss) 25:47 Min 3-GA 4-Sv
Jenny Lura 32:13 Min 0-GA 3-Sv
Empty Net 02:10 Min
Robert Morris
Brianne McLaughlin (Win) 60:00 Min 2-GA 63-Sv
Scoring
RMU 2 - 1 - 0 3
MN 0 - 1 - 1 2
Prd - Time - Team - Goal (Assists)
1 - 08:02 - RMU - PP- Morgan Beikrich (Megan Picinic)
1 - 17:46 - RMU - EV - Brianna Delaney (Unassisted)
2 - 05:47 - RMU - PP - Jacki Gibson (Kylie Rossler)
2 - 06:42 - MN - PP - Anne Schleper (Monique & Jocelyne Lamourex)
3- 18:55 - MN - EX - Emily West (Rachael Drazan, Gigi Marvin)
SOG
RMU 5 - 4 - 1 10
MN 18 - 23 - 24 65
Penalties--Minutes
RMU 11-22
MN 11-22
Power Plays
RMU 2-8 (4 SOG, Time 12:12)
MN 2-8 (25 SOG, Time 11:51)
Three Stars
1 - Robert Morris - Brianne McLaughlin (63 saves)
2 - Robert Morris - Morgan Beikirch (PP goal)
3 - Robert Morris - Brianna Delaney (goal)
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
October 1st
Wild Herd Buffalo 3-2
St. Paul, Mn--The Minnesota Wild played their final home preseason Wednesday night hosting the Buffalo Sabres at the Excel Energy Center in Downtown Saint Paul. This was the second meeting of the two teams in the preseason, as the Wild beat the Sabres in the shootout Sunday 2-1 at HSBC Arena.
Minnesota is playing their second game in as many days after beating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 Tuesday night on Stephane Veilleux's goal with :24 remaining in overtime. This by the way, is the only time the Wild will play back to back games on consecutive days at home this season, or at least until the playoffs, but that's getting way ahead of ourselves.
Already without defenceman Marek Zidlicky because of a sore ankle, the Wild lost Marc-Andre Bergeron in the second period Tuesday night after he broke his nose in a fight with Kyle Beach. It was Bergeron's third fight in three preseason games. Strangely, his only NHL fight came during his rookie year in 2002-03.
Wednesday marked the sixth all-time preseason meeting between the two teams and the last of which was a year ago in Grand Forks, N.D., a 2-1 Minnesota win. The Wild will host Buffalo during the regular season on October 23rd. It's interesting to note that it's been over two years since the Wild last played the Sabres at Excel Energy Center, and now the two clubs are playing each other twice in St. Paul in less then a month.
Ryan Miller got the start in net for Buffalo and stopped the first shot he faced, a Derek Boogaard back-hander, but wasn't able to do the same for the next few fired his way. Minnesota scored the games first goal 5:23 into the game off the stick of Antti Miettinen, got a power play goal from Owen Nolan at 11:34, and a short handed goal at 13:32 from Brent Burns, and were able to convert three straight shots on the Buffalo goaltender for goals. In all the Wild scored goals on three of their first four shots on goal and took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Sabres finally got on the board at 14:24 of the second period on a Daniel Paille breakaway goal, and even though they out shot Minnesota 22-12 through two periods found themselves trailing 3-1. It could have been much worse if not for the excellent play of Ryan Miller who stopped six Wild shots toward in goal in the period's closing minute.
At 7:38 of the third period Minnesota defenceman Martin Skoula's stick was deflected toward Wild goalie Josh Harding and caught him in the eye. The severity of the injury to Harding isn't yet known or if he'll miss the rest of the preseason as a result.
In the games closing minute the Wild had a goal waived off due to goaltender interference, and the Sabres Andrej Sekera scored a 6-on-4 goal with :02 seconds left, but it wasn't enough as Minnesota won it 3-2.
The win improves the Wild's preseason record to 4-1 and assures them of their 7th winning preseason in 8 years.
After a day off Thursday, the Wild will close out the preseason with back to back games in Columbus and Montreal on Friday and Saturday before opening the season Saturday October 11th at home against the Boston Bruins.
THREE STARS
(Picked by Doug Johnson of Lets Play Hockey)
1- Minnesota - Defenceman - Brent Burns
2- Minnesota - Centre - Mikko Koivu
3- Minnesota - Defenceman - John Scott
SCORING
Prd - Time - Team - Goal (Assists)
1 - 5:23 - Mn - EV - A. Miettinen (J.Sheppard, S.Veilleux)
1- 11:34 - Mn - PP - O.Nolan (P.Bouchard, E.Belanger)
1- 13:32 - Mn - SH - B.Burns (Unassisted)
2- 14:24 - Buf - EV - D.Paille (T.Lydman)
3 - 19:58 - Buf - PP - A.Sekera (A.Kotalik)
PENALTIES--MINUTES
Buffalo 8--16
Minnesota 8--16
POWER PLAYS
Buffalo 1-6 (11:18 min)
Minnesota 1-6 (9:01 min)
SHOTS ON GOAL
Buffalo 12--10--10 32
Minnesota 5--7--12 24
St. Paul, Mn--The Minnesota Wild played their final home preseason Wednesday night hosting the Buffalo Sabres at the Excel Energy Center in Downtown Saint Paul. This was the second meeting of the two teams in the preseason, as the Wild beat the Sabres in the shootout Sunday 2-1 at HSBC Arena.
Minnesota is playing their second game in as many days after beating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 Tuesday night on Stephane Veilleux's goal with :24 remaining in overtime. This by the way, is the only time the Wild will play back to back games on consecutive days at home this season, or at least until the playoffs, but that's getting way ahead of ourselves.
Already without defenceman Marek Zidlicky because of a sore ankle, the Wild lost Marc-Andre Bergeron in the second period Tuesday night after he broke his nose in a fight with Kyle Beach. It was Bergeron's third fight in three preseason games. Strangely, his only NHL fight came during his rookie year in 2002-03.
Wednesday marked the sixth all-time preseason meeting between the two teams and the last of which was a year ago in Grand Forks, N.D., a 2-1 Minnesota win. The Wild will host Buffalo during the regular season on October 23rd. It's interesting to note that it's been over two years since the Wild last played the Sabres at Excel Energy Center, and now the two clubs are playing each other twice in St. Paul in less then a month.
Ryan Miller got the start in net for Buffalo and stopped the first shot he faced, a Derek Boogaard back-hander, but wasn't able to do the same for the next few fired his way. Minnesota scored the games first goal 5:23 into the game off the stick of Antti Miettinen, got a power play goal from Owen Nolan at 11:34, and a short handed goal at 13:32 from Brent Burns, and were able to convert three straight shots on the Buffalo goaltender for goals. In all the Wild scored goals on three of their first four shots on goal and took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Sabres finally got on the board at 14:24 of the second period on a Daniel Paille breakaway goal, and even though they out shot Minnesota 22-12 through two periods found themselves trailing 3-1. It could have been much worse if not for the excellent play of Ryan Miller who stopped six Wild shots toward in goal in the period's closing minute.
At 7:38 of the third period Minnesota defenceman Martin Skoula's stick was deflected toward Wild goalie Josh Harding and caught him in the eye. The severity of the injury to Harding isn't yet known or if he'll miss the rest of the preseason as a result.
In the games closing minute the Wild had a goal waived off due to goaltender interference, and the Sabres Andrej Sekera scored a 6-on-4 goal with :02 seconds left, but it wasn't enough as Minnesota won it 3-2.
The win improves the Wild's preseason record to 4-1 and assures them of their 7th winning preseason in 8 years.
After a day off Thursday, the Wild will close out the preseason with back to back games in Columbus and Montreal on Friday and Saturday before opening the season Saturday October 11th at home against the Boston Bruins.
THREE STARS
(Picked by Doug Johnson of Lets Play Hockey)
1- Minnesota - Defenceman - Brent Burns
2- Minnesota - Centre - Mikko Koivu
3- Minnesota - Defenceman - John Scott
SCORING
Prd - Time - Team - Goal (Assists)
1 - 5:23 - Mn - EV - A. Miettinen (J.Sheppard, S.Veilleux)
1- 11:34 - Mn - PP - O.Nolan (P.Bouchard, E.Belanger)
1- 13:32 - Mn - SH - B.Burns (Unassisted)
2- 14:24 - Buf - EV - D.Paille (T.Lydman)
3 - 19:58 - Buf - PP - A.Sekera (A.Kotalik)
PENALTIES--MINUTES
Buffalo 8--16
Minnesota 8--16
POWER PLAYS
Buffalo 1-6 (11:18 min)
Minnesota 1-6 (9:01 min)
SHOTS ON GOAL
Buffalo 12--10--10 32
Minnesota 5--7--12 24
Sunday, September 28, 2008
September 28th
Team USA Beats Gophers in OT
Minneapolis, Mn - The University of Minnesota Women's hockey team played their second and final exhibition game Sunday afternoon against the U.S. Women's National Team at Ridder Arena. The Gophers were coming off an 8-0 win over the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) back on Friday, and Team USA made the 227 mile drive from Bemidji where they defeated the Beaver's Saturday afternoon 7-0.
Since the 2006 Olympics the University of Minnesota has had 17 players within USA Hockey, including current Gophers Gili Marvin and Rachael Drazan who helped the Americans win a gold medal at the 2008 IIHF World Championships, along with Kelli Blankenship (Under-22), Sarah Erickson (Under-18), Alyssa Grogan (Under-18), Jocelyne and Monique Lamourex (Four Nations Cup, Under-18), Anne Schleper (Under-18, Under-22, Four Nations Cup), Kelly Seeler (Under-18), and Emily West (Under-22).
Also with Minnesota ties playing in the game for Team USA were former Gophers (and current assistant coach) Natalie Darwitz, Anya Miller, and Erica McKenzie, as were former University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Jenny Potter and Jessica Koizumi, and Minnesotan's Megan Van Beusekom from Loretto who played at Princeton alongside Erin Keys from St. Paul who played at Ohio State.
Even though this was an "Exhibition" game, it was apparent from the drop of the opening faceoff that neither team was playing it as such and wanted to win. Both teams seemed to feed off each others energy and the U.S National team scored the games first goal off a mistake. Erica McKenzie picked the Gophers pocket at neutral ice and staked into the zone turning around at the last second and scoring on the backhand past Kim Hanlon for 1-0 USA lead at 4:40. Just a few seconds later Minnesota committed back to back penalties and found themselves two players short. Senior Kim Hanlon stopped two barrages of shots, 6 in all, and the Gophers killed off the 5-3 powerplay which lasted 1:34. The Gophers tied it up at 9:03 when Kelli Blankenship and Brittany Francis charged the net and Francis fed Blankenship whose wrist shot went past USA's Megan Van Beusekom.
For the second game in a row, but not a hugh surprise, Minnesota Head Coach Brad Frost played all three of his goaltenders one period, as Kim Hanlon got the start, Alyssa Grogan for the second, and Jenny Lura for the third and overtime periods, as well as the shootout.
Both teams added a goal in the second, but not till the periods closing minutes. On a delayed penality Team USA's Anya Miller scored with the extra attacker on the ice to give the American's a brief 2-1 lead. Gopher Sophomore Left Wing Emily West tied it at 2-2 on a power play goal with just :37 left in the second period. It could have been much worse for Minnesota, as Team USA's Julie Chu missed a open net off a one time pass at 8:30 and had another shot hit off the post at 9:42.
The third period was even stevens with both the Gophers and Team USA each getting off 12 shots and killing off the others power play chances, three for Minnesota and 2 for the Americans.
Team USA's Erica McKenzie scored the winning goal 1:31 into overtime on the power play as Jenny Lura stopped her shot, but it managed to trickle through her pads past the goal line to give Team USA the victory.
Just like in their previous exhibition game Friday night, there was a shootout practiced, per new WCHA rules, and while it didn't count in the official stats Sarah Erickson converted for the Gophers while Erica McKenzie and Natalie Darwitz converted two of the three Team USA chances.
GAME STATS:
Minnesota Team Summary
Player -------------------------- G A PIM Sh +/-
Kelly Seeler------------------- 0 0 15 1 -1 .
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 1 6 0 +1
Sarah Erickson--------------- 0 0 2 4 0
Laura May--------------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Rachael Drazan------------- 0 1 2 0 -1
Kelli Blankenship------------ 1 0 0 6 +1
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Brittany Francis-------------- 0 1 0 1 +1
Jocelyne Lamoure---------- 0 0 2 3 -1
Chelsey Jones--------------- 0 0 0 1 -2
Emily West-------------------- 1 0 0 3 -2
Nikki Ludwigson------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Gili Marvin--------------------- 0 1 0 3 -1
Alexandra Zebro------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Monique Lamoureu -------- 0 0 0 0 0
Anne Schleper--------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Dagney Willey---------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Jen Schoullis----------------- 0 0 0 6 0
Terra Rasmussen----------- 0 0 2 0 0
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Shots on Goal
USA 19-6-12-1 38
MN 6-12-12-0 30
Faceoffs Won
USA 38
MN 26
Penalties--Minutes
USA 11--33
MN 9--29
Power Plays
USA 1-8 (11 SOG, Time on PP 10:01)
MN 1-10 (10 SOG, Time on PP 15:06)
Goals:
USA 1-1-0-1 3
MN 1-1-0-0 2
Prd--Time--Team--Scored by (Assist/s)
1st--04:40--USA--EV Erica McKenzie (Unassisted)
1st--09:03--MN--EV Kelli Blankenship (Brittany Francis, Melanie Gagnon)
2nd--17:01--USA--EX Anya Miller (Erin Keys)
2nd--19:23--MN--PP Emily West (Rachael Drazan, Gigi Marvin)
OT--01:31--USA--PP Erica McKenzie (Caitlin Cahow, Molly Engstrom)
Goalie Stats
U.S. National Team
Megan Van Beusekom (Win) 61:25 Min 2 GA 28 SV
EMPTY NET 00:06 Min
Minnesota
Kim Hanlon 20:00 Min 1 GA 18 SV
Alyssa Grogan 20:00 Min 1 GA 5 SV
Jenny Lura (Loss) 21:31 Min 1 GA 12 SV
Minneapolis, Mn - The University of Minnesota Women's hockey team played their second and final exhibition game Sunday afternoon against the U.S. Women's National Team at Ridder Arena. The Gophers were coming off an 8-0 win over the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) back on Friday, and Team USA made the 227 mile drive from Bemidji where they defeated the Beaver's Saturday afternoon 7-0.
Since the 2006 Olympics the University of Minnesota has had 17 players within USA Hockey, including current Gophers Gili Marvin and Rachael Drazan who helped the Americans win a gold medal at the 2008 IIHF World Championships, along with Kelli Blankenship (Under-22), Sarah Erickson (Under-18), Alyssa Grogan (Under-18), Jocelyne and Monique Lamourex (Four Nations Cup, Under-18), Anne Schleper (Under-18, Under-22, Four Nations Cup), Kelly Seeler (Under-18), and Emily West (Under-22).
Also with Minnesota ties playing in the game for Team USA were former Gophers (and current assistant coach) Natalie Darwitz, Anya Miller, and Erica McKenzie, as were former University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Jenny Potter and Jessica Koizumi, and Minnesotan's Megan Van Beusekom from Loretto who played at Princeton alongside Erin Keys from St. Paul who played at Ohio State.
Even though this was an "Exhibition" game, it was apparent from the drop of the opening faceoff that neither team was playing it as such and wanted to win. Both teams seemed to feed off each others energy and the U.S National team scored the games first goal off a mistake. Erica McKenzie picked the Gophers pocket at neutral ice and staked into the zone turning around at the last second and scoring on the backhand past Kim Hanlon for 1-0 USA lead at 4:40. Just a few seconds later Minnesota committed back to back penalties and found themselves two players short. Senior Kim Hanlon stopped two barrages of shots, 6 in all, and the Gophers killed off the 5-3 powerplay which lasted 1:34. The Gophers tied it up at 9:03 when Kelli Blankenship and Brittany Francis charged the net and Francis fed Blankenship whose wrist shot went past USA's Megan Van Beusekom.
For the second game in a row, but not a hugh surprise, Minnesota Head Coach Brad Frost played all three of his goaltenders one period, as Kim Hanlon got the start, Alyssa Grogan for the second, and Jenny Lura for the third and overtime periods, as well as the shootout.
Both teams added a goal in the second, but not till the periods closing minutes. On a delayed penality Team USA's Anya Miller scored with the extra attacker on the ice to give the American's a brief 2-1 lead. Gopher Sophomore Left Wing Emily West tied it at 2-2 on a power play goal with just :37 left in the second period. It could have been much worse for Minnesota, as Team USA's Julie Chu missed a open net off a one time pass at 8:30 and had another shot hit off the post at 9:42.
The third period was even stevens with both the Gophers and Team USA each getting off 12 shots and killing off the others power play chances, three for Minnesota and 2 for the Americans.
Team USA's Erica McKenzie scored the winning goal 1:31 into overtime on the power play as Jenny Lura stopped her shot, but it managed to trickle through her pads past the goal line to give Team USA the victory.
Just like in their previous exhibition game Friday night, there was a shootout practiced, per new WCHA rules, and while it didn't count in the official stats Sarah Erickson converted for the Gophers while Erica McKenzie and Natalie Darwitz converted two of the three Team USA chances.
GAME STATS:
Minnesota Team Summary
Player -------------------------- G A PIM Sh +/-
Kelly Seeler------------------- 0 0 15 1 -1 .
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 1 6 0 +1
Sarah Erickson--------------- 0 0 2 4 0
Laura May--------------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Rachael Drazan------------- 0 1 2 0 -1
Kelli Blankenship------------ 1 0 0 6 +1
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Brittany Francis-------------- 0 1 0 1 +1
Jocelyne Lamoure---------- 0 0 2 3 -1
Chelsey Jones--------------- 0 0 0 1 -2
Emily West-------------------- 1 0 0 3 -2
Nikki Ludwigson------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Gili Marvin--------------------- 0 1 0 3 -1
Alexandra Zebro------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Monique Lamoureu -------- 0 0 0 0 0
Anne Schleper--------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Dagney Willey---------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Jen Schoullis----------------- 0 0 0 6 0
Terra Rasmussen----------- 0 0 2 0 0
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Shots on Goal
USA 19-6-12-1 38
MN 6-12-12-0 30
Faceoffs Won
USA 38
MN 26
Penalties--Minutes
USA 11--33
MN 9--29
Power Plays
USA 1-8 (11 SOG, Time on PP 10:01)
MN 1-10 (10 SOG, Time on PP 15:06)
Goals:
USA 1-1-0-1 3
MN 1-1-0-0 2
Prd--Time--Team--Scored by (Assist/s)
1st--04:40--USA--EV Erica McKenzie (Unassisted)
1st--09:03--MN--EV Kelli Blankenship (Brittany Francis, Melanie Gagnon)
2nd--17:01--USA--EX Anya Miller (Erin Keys)
2nd--19:23--MN--PP Emily West (Rachael Drazan, Gigi Marvin)
OT--01:31--USA--PP Erica McKenzie (Caitlin Cahow, Molly Engstrom)
Goalie Stats
U.S. National Team
Megan Van Beusekom (Win) 61:25 Min 2 GA 28 SV
EMPTY NET 00:06 Min
Minnesota
Kim Hanlon 20:00 Min 1 GA 18 SV
Alyssa Grogan 20:00 Min 1 GA 5 SV
Jenny Lura (Loss) 21:31 Min 1 GA 12 SV
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