Gophers Win Big (Again) 8-2
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The Number 2 ranked University of Minnesota Women's hockey team wrapped up their weekend series with the Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena.
The Gophers had 13 skaters earn a point Friday night in their 8-1 win over the Buckeyes, and also had six with multiple points. Sophomore Jen Schoullis scored two goals, Sophomore Emily West registered three assists, and Senior Melanie Gagnon had two assists. Junior Raelyn LaRocque scored the Buckeyes lone goal.
Ohio Started the game with a spark, as the Buckeyes won the opening faceoff and Freshman Natalie Spooner fired a shot at Minnesota goaltender Jenny Lura that was kicked away, but that would be the only shot on goal for the Buckeyes for the next 11 minutes.
Minnesota once again struck in the games early minutes as Freshman Jocelyn Lamoureux fed fellow Freshman Sarah Erickson who's back handed shot went over the stacked pads of Sophomore Ohio State goaltender Deidre Facklis, who Friday night came in relief of Liana Bonanno to start the third period. The Gophers added another first period goal at 14:06 when Jen Schoullis's slap shot from just above the right face off circle was tipped in by Monique Lamoureux.
Down 2-0 to start the second period, Ohio State needed only :33 to cut the lead in half as Natalie Spooner carried the puck in the zone and her backhanded shot went past the blocker of Jenny Lura, and just 1:50 later the Buckeyes tied it 2-2 when from behind the net Natalie Spooner fed Freshman Laura McIntosh who was set up on the left side of the crease. At that point Ohio State had scored on 2 of their first 3 shots on goal to start the period. The lead would be short lived as the Buckeyes found themselves two players short and Minnesota took advantage scoring a 5-on-3 goal at 4:29 from Jen Schoullis to take a 3-2 lead. Junior Kelli Blankenship added another tally at 6:34 and Freshman Nikki Ludwigson scored her first career Gopher goal at 12:02 as Minnesota carried a 5-2 lead into the second intermission, after killing off a 5-on-3 Ohio State power play at 14:25.
The Gophers got three more goals in the third period from Senior Captian Gigi Marvin on the power play at 3:34, Senior Rachael Drazen at 10:25, and Junior Chelsey Jones on the power play at 15:58. Minnesota out-shot Ohio State 23-2 in third period and 57-13 in the game.
With the win Minnesota improves to 4-0-0 in the WCHA and 5-1-0 overall, while Ohio State drops to 0-4-0 in league play and 2-4-0 overall.
The Number 2 ranked Gophers will travel to Madison to take on the top ranked Wisconsin Badgers next weekend, and their next home game will be on Halloween against St Cloud State at Ridder Arena at 6pm.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
3--MN--Nikki Ludwigson (Scored First Career Gopher Goal)
2--MN--Sarah Erickson (1 Goal and 2 Assists)
1--MN--Monique Lamoureux (1 Goal and 3 Assists)
GAME STATS:
University of Minnesota Team Summary
Player -------------------------- G A PIM Sh +/-
Kelly Seeler------------------- 0 0 2 2 0
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 1 0 2 0
Sarah Erickson--------------- 1 2 2 5 +2
Rachael Drazan------------- 1 1 0 5 +2
Kelli Blankenship------------ 1 1 0 4 0
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 1 0 1 +1
Brittany Francis-------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Jocelyn Lamoureux------- 0 2 0 5 +2
Chelsey Jones--------------- 1 1 0 2 0
Emily West-------------------- 0 0 2 1 0
Nikki Ludwigson------------- 1 0 0 1 +1
Gigi Marvin-------------------- 1 0 0 9 0
Alexandra Zebro------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Monique Lamoureu x------- 1 3 0 8 +2
Anne Schleper--------------- 0 0 0 3 +1
Jen Schoullis----------------- 1 2 0 5 +1
Terra Rasmussen----------- 0 1 0 1 +1
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 1 0 1 +2
Totals--------------------------- 8 16 8 57 +15
Goalie Stats
Ohio State
Deidre Facklis (Loss) 60:00 Min 8 GA 49 SV
Minnesota
Jenny Lura (Win) 59:47 Min 2 GA 11 SV
EMPTY NET 00:13 Min
Goals
OSU 0-2-0 2
MN 2-3-3 8
Prd--Time-Team--Scored by (Assists)
1st--03:00--MN--EV Sarah Erickson (Jocelyne Lamoureux, Monique Lamoureux)
1st--14:06--MN--EV Monique Lamoureux (Jen Schoullis, Sarah Erickson)
2nd--00:33--OSU--EV Natalie Spooner (Laura McIntosh)
2nd--02:23--OSU--EV Laura McIntosh (Natalie Spooner, Kelly Wild)
2nd--04:29--MN--PP Jen Schoullis (Monique Lamoureux, Sarah Erickson)
2nd--06:34--MN--EV Kelli Blankenship (Jen Schoullis, Chelsey Jones)
2nd--12:02--MN--EV Nikki Ludwigson (Jamie Horton, Terra Rasmussen)
3rd--03:34--MN--PP Gigi Marvin (Melanie Gagnon, Rachael Drazan)
3rd--10:25--MN--EV Rachael Drazen (Jocelyne Lamoureux, Monique Lamoureux)
3rd--15:58--MN--PP Chelsey Jones (Michelle Maunu, Kelli Blankenship)
Shots on Goal
OSU 4-7-2 13
MN 17-17-23 57
Penalties--Minutes
OSU 8--27
MN 4--8
Power Plays
OSU 0-4 (4 SOG, Time on PP 6:58)
MN 3-8 (19 SOG, Time on PP 11:55)
Faceoffs Won
OSU 23
MN 38
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
October 17th
Gophers Rout Buckeyes 8-1
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The No. 2 ranked University of Minnesota Women's hockey team (3-1-0, 2-2-0 WCHA) hosted the Ohio State Buckeyes (2-2-0, 0-2-0 WCHA) in the first of a two-game weekend WCHA series Friday night at Ridder Arena.
The Gophers are coming off a sweep over the defending National Champions, the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Last Friday in the WCHA season opener Melanie Gagnon scored the game-winning power play goal with :25 seconds left in overtime to give the Gophers a 4-3 win over the top-ranked Bulldogs, and then Jenny Lura made 36 saves and freshman twins Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux each scored to complete the sweep with a 2-0 win Saturday. UMD had not been swept on its home ice since Wisconsin won twice there on Jan. 6-7, 2002, and the last time the Bulldogs were shutout at home also came against Minnesota when Kim Hanlon won, 3-0, last year on Nov.18.
The Ohio State Buckeyes were swept in their season and WCHA opener last weekend by the Wisconsin Badgers 7-4 and 4-0, which dropped the then No. 9 ranked team out of the polls. In their first four games of the season, freshman forward Natalie Spooner leads the Buckeyes with four points (3-1=4), followed by senior forward Hayley Klassen (2-1=3) and freshman forward Laura McIntosh1-2=3) with three points. Senior goaltender Liana Bonanno has made 30 or more saves in all four games this season and posted a 3.50 goals against average and .905 save percentage.
Friday marked the 41st meeting between the two schools, dating back to the start of the WCHA in 1999. During that span Minnesota holds a 31-8-1 record against OSU, including a 3-1-0 record against the Buckeyes last season. The Gophers swept OSU 7-3 and 5-1 at Ridder Arena Feb. 8-9. However, prior to the series sweep last February, Minnesota and OSU had split five consecutive series meetings.
It didn't take long for Minnesota to prove that they deserved their Number 2 ranking, as just 1:21 into the game freshman Monique Lamoureux got the puck at centre ice and skated right toward the net and OSU senior goalie Liana Bonanno, gave her a great deke and slid the puck past her for a 1-0 Gopher lead. Minnesota followed with their first power play goal of the game at 11:40 from junior Brittany Francis, and Senior Rachel Drazen's turn around wrist shot from the right face off circle at 13:38 gave the Gophers their second power play goal in as many chances and a 3-0 lead which they carried into the first intermission.
After winning the opening faceoff to start the second period, Minnesota held the puck in the zone for just over 2 minutes and fired off 5 shots at Bonanno. The Buckeye goalie wasn't so lucky the rest of period as the Gophers added four more goals from freshman Jocelyne Lamoureux at 5:35, sophomore Jen Schoullis at 12:22 and again at 16:20, and sophomore Laura May at 18:23.
After 7 goals given up and 32 shots faced, OSU head coach Jackie Barto pulled Liana Bonanno and put sophomore Deidre Facklis in net, who gave up one goal to Minnesota forward Laura May at 7:27, but made several impressive saves, 9 in all, in relief.
Ohio State's lone goal was scored just as they had killed off a penalty at 4:56 of the third period when junior Raelyn LaRocque went top shelf on Minnesota freshman Alyssa Grogan.
With the win Minnesota improves to 3-0-0 in the WCHA, 4-1-0 overall, while Ohio State drops to 0-3-0 in the WCHA and 2-3-0 overall. Game time for tomorrow afternoon's game at Ridder Arena is 4pm.
GAME STATS:
Minnesota Team Summary
Player -------------------------- G A PIM Sh +/-
Kelly Seeler------------------- 0 . 0 4 3 +3
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 2 0 2 +1
Sarah Erickson--------------- 0 0 2 2 0
Laura May--------------------- 1 1 0 2 +2
Rachael Drazan------------- 1 0 0 3 0
Kelli Blankenship------------ 0 0 0 1 +1
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 1 0 2 +2
Brittany Francis-------------- 1 1 0 3 +1
Jocelyne Lamoureux-------1 0 2 1 +2
Chelsey Jones--------------- 0 1 0 0 +1
Emily West-------------------- 0 3 2 5 0
Nikki Ludwigson------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Gili Marvin--------------------- 0 1 0 5 0
Alexandra Zebro------------- 0 0 2 4 +2
Monique Lamoureux--------1 1 2 3 +2
Anne Schleper--------------- 0 1 0 1 +2
Jen Schoullis----------------- 2 0 0 3 +2
Terra Rasmussen----------- 1 0 0 2 +2
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 0 0 0 +1
Shots on Goal
OSU 4-2-6 12
MN 13-19-10 42
Faceoffs Won
OSU 32
MN 29
Penalties--Minutes
OSU 9--18
MN 7--14
Power Plays
OSU 0-3 (1 SOG, Time on PP 6:07)
MN 2-6 (11 SOG, Time on PP 8:41)
Goals
OSU 0-0-1 1
MN 3-4-1 8
Prd--Time-Team--Scored by (Assists)
1st--01:21--MN--EV Monique Lamourex (Melanie Gagnon)
1st--11:40--MN--PP Brittany Francis (Melanie Gagnon, Gigi Marvin)
1st--13:38--MN--PP Rachael Drazen (Emily West, Gigi Marvin)
2nd--05:35--MN--EV Jocelyne Lamoureux (Brittany Francis, Emily West)
2nd--12:22--MN--EV Jen Schoullis (Chelsey Jones)
2nd--16:20--MN--EV Jen Schoullis (Monique Lamoureu, Anne Schleper)
2nd--18:23--MN--EV Laura May (Unassisted)
3rd--04:56--OSU--EV Raelyn LaRocque (Kelly Wild, Teal Bishop)
3rd--07:27--MN--EV Terra Rasmussen (Laura May, Jaimie Horton)
Goalie Stats
Ohio State University
Liana Bonanno (Loss) 40:00 Min 7 GA 25 SV
Deidre Facklis 20:00 Min 1 GA 9 SV
Minnesota
Alyssa Grogan (Win) 60:00 Min 1 GA 11 SV
EMPTY NET 00:06 Min
Three Stars of the Game
3--MN--Laura May
2--MN--Emily West
1--MN--Jen Schoullis
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The No. 2 ranked University of Minnesota Women's hockey team (3-1-0, 2-2-0 WCHA) hosted the Ohio State Buckeyes (2-2-0, 0-2-0 WCHA) in the first of a two-game weekend WCHA series Friday night at Ridder Arena.
The Gophers are coming off a sweep over the defending National Champions, the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Last Friday in the WCHA season opener Melanie Gagnon scored the game-winning power play goal with :25 seconds left in overtime to give the Gophers a 4-3 win over the top-ranked Bulldogs, and then Jenny Lura made 36 saves and freshman twins Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux each scored to complete the sweep with a 2-0 win Saturday. UMD had not been swept on its home ice since Wisconsin won twice there on Jan. 6-7, 2002, and the last time the Bulldogs were shutout at home also came against Minnesota when Kim Hanlon won, 3-0, last year on Nov.18.
The Ohio State Buckeyes were swept in their season and WCHA opener last weekend by the Wisconsin Badgers 7-4 and 4-0, which dropped the then No. 9 ranked team out of the polls. In their first four games of the season, freshman forward Natalie Spooner leads the Buckeyes with four points (3-1=4), followed by senior forward Hayley Klassen (2-1=3) and freshman forward Laura McIntosh1-2=3) with three points. Senior goaltender Liana Bonanno has made 30 or more saves in all four games this season and posted a 3.50 goals against average and .905 save percentage.
Friday marked the 41st meeting between the two schools, dating back to the start of the WCHA in 1999. During that span Minnesota holds a 31-8-1 record against OSU, including a 3-1-0 record against the Buckeyes last season. The Gophers swept OSU 7-3 and 5-1 at Ridder Arena Feb. 8-9. However, prior to the series sweep last February, Minnesota and OSU had split five consecutive series meetings.
It didn't take long for Minnesota to prove that they deserved their Number 2 ranking, as just 1:21 into the game freshman Monique Lamoureux got the puck at centre ice and skated right toward the net and OSU senior goalie Liana Bonanno, gave her a great deke and slid the puck past her for a 1-0 Gopher lead. Minnesota followed with their first power play goal of the game at 11:40 from junior Brittany Francis, and Senior Rachel Drazen's turn around wrist shot from the right face off circle at 13:38 gave the Gophers their second power play goal in as many chances and a 3-0 lead which they carried into the first intermission.
After winning the opening faceoff to start the second period, Minnesota held the puck in the zone for just over 2 minutes and fired off 5 shots at Bonanno. The Buckeye goalie wasn't so lucky the rest of period as the Gophers added four more goals from freshman Jocelyne Lamoureux at 5:35, sophomore Jen Schoullis at 12:22 and again at 16:20, and sophomore Laura May at 18:23.
After 7 goals given up and 32 shots faced, OSU head coach Jackie Barto pulled Liana Bonanno and put sophomore Deidre Facklis in net, who gave up one goal to Minnesota forward Laura May at 7:27, but made several impressive saves, 9 in all, in relief.
Ohio State's lone goal was scored just as they had killed off a penalty at 4:56 of the third period when junior Raelyn LaRocque went top shelf on Minnesota freshman Alyssa Grogan.
With the win Minnesota improves to 3-0-0 in the WCHA, 4-1-0 overall, while Ohio State drops to 0-3-0 in the WCHA and 2-3-0 overall. Game time for tomorrow afternoon's game at Ridder Arena is 4pm.
GAME STATS:
Minnesota Team Summary
Player -------------------------- G A PIM Sh +/-
Kelly Seeler------------------- 0 . 0 4 3 +3
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 2 0 2 +1
Sarah Erickson--------------- 0 0 2 2 0
Laura May--------------------- 1 1 0 2 +2
Rachael Drazan------------- 1 0 0 3 0
Kelli Blankenship------------ 0 0 0 1 +1
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 1 0 2 +2
Brittany Francis-------------- 1 1 0 3 +1
Jocelyne Lamoureux-------1 0 2 1 +2
Chelsey Jones--------------- 0 1 0 0 +1
Emily West-------------------- 0 3 2 5 0
Nikki Ludwigson------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Gili Marvin--------------------- 0 1 0 5 0
Alexandra Zebro------------- 0 0 2 4 +2
Monique Lamoureux--------1 1 2 3 +2
Anne Schleper--------------- 0 1 0 1 +2
Jen Schoullis----------------- 2 0 0 3 +2
Terra Rasmussen----------- 1 0 0 2 +2
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 0 0 0 +1
Shots on Goal
OSU 4-2-6 12
MN 13-19-10 42
Faceoffs Won
OSU 32
MN 29
Penalties--Minutes
OSU 9--18
MN 7--14
Power Plays
OSU 0-3 (1 SOG, Time on PP 6:07)
MN 2-6 (11 SOG, Time on PP 8:41)
Goals
OSU 0-0-1 1
MN 3-4-1 8
Prd--Time-Team--Scored by (Assists)
1st--01:21--MN--EV Monique Lamourex (Melanie Gagnon)
1st--11:40--MN--PP Brittany Francis (Melanie Gagnon, Gigi Marvin)
1st--13:38--MN--PP Rachael Drazen (Emily West, Gigi Marvin)
2nd--05:35--MN--EV Jocelyne Lamoureux (Brittany Francis, Emily West)
2nd--12:22--MN--EV Jen Schoullis (Chelsey Jones)
2nd--16:20--MN--EV Jen Schoullis (Monique Lamoureu, Anne Schleper)
2nd--18:23--MN--EV Laura May (Unassisted)
3rd--04:56--OSU--EV Raelyn LaRocque (Kelly Wild, Teal Bishop)
3rd--07:27--MN--EV Terra Rasmussen (Laura May, Jaimie Horton)
Goalie Stats
Ohio State University
Liana Bonanno (Loss) 40:00 Min 7 GA 25 SV
Deidre Facklis 20:00 Min 1 GA 9 SV
Minnesota
Alyssa Grogan (Win) 60:00 Min 1 GA 11 SV
EMPTY NET 00:06 Min
Three Stars of the Game
3--MN--Laura May
2--MN--Emily West
1--MN--Jen Schoullis
Saturday, October 11, 2008
October 11th
Wild Win Season Opener
St. Paul, Mn -- The Minnesota Wild opened the regular season Saturday night at the Excel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul against the Boston Bruins, and in addition to the regular season opening festivities the Wild raised their first Northwest Division Title banner to the rafters.
Going into Saturday night, Minnesota ranked fifth in the NHL on opening night with a .643 win percentage (4-2-1 all-time) including 4-0-0 in season openers that are home openers. The only tie was the Wild's first ever regular season home game against Philadelphia on 10/11/00 (3-3), and Marian Gaborik is the only player who has remained with Minnesota from the roster that night. Also since the Wild's first NHL season in 2000-01, they rank fourth in the league in GAA (2.47). Only New Jersey (2.30), Detroit (2.36) and Dallas (2.37) have given up fewer goals per game in the last seven NHL campaigns. In that same span, Minnesota goaltenders have the highest Save Percentage of any NHL team (.915). The LA Ducks are second with a .912 SV %. Also since 2000-01, the Wild has the third-best home GAA of any NHL team (2.25). Only Dallas (2.24) and New Jersey (2.24) have given up fewer goals at home over the past seven seasons.
Six skaters made their regular season Wild debut Saturday. Right Wingers Owen Nolan, Craig Weller, and Antti Miettinen along with Defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron, Marek Zidlicky, and Tomas Mojzis. Left Winger Andrew Brunette, who played for Minnesota from 2001-04, officially started his second tour of duty with the Wild Saturday night. During his first tour, the 35 year old played in 245 games and registered 164 points (54-110=164) and has played in 453 consecutive NHL games, the most of any active player.
Also interesting to note is that Defenceman Erik Reitz is the only American on Minnesota's opening night roster. That is the fewest number of United States-born players of any NHL team.
For Boston this was their second game of the NHL season, as the Bruins defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-4 on Thursday in Denver, and looked the part as they won the opening face off and got their first shot on goal :11 in.
In a night and season of first's, Owen Nolan registered the Wild's first shot on goal of the season at 1:41 into the game, a wrist shot from 17 feet on the right side. Brent Burns was called for the Wild's first penalty, and double minor, of the season at 3:06. Minnesota killed off the four-minute penalty, but it wasn't too long after that the Wild found themselves trailing for the first time. Former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Phil Kessel got off a wrist from the right face off dot that went past Minnesota goaltender Niklas Backstrom, playing in his 100th NHL game, to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. The Wild got their first power play goal of the season, on their second chance, at 18:32 when 19 year-old Colton Gillies fed Eric Belanger, who was set up on the right side of the net, and fired a wrist shot past former Minnesota goalie Manny Fernandez to tie it 1-1.
Minnesota started the second period, just as they had finished the first, on the attack and charging the net. At 1:49 the Wild fired several shots which were stopped by Manny Fernandez, who finished the night with 22 saves, but it wasn't until 4:01 that Minnesota took the lead. Marc-Andre Bergeron fired a slap shot just a few feet in front of the blue line, that Fernandez got his pads on but didn't fully stop as it trickled thru him and past the goal line for the Wild's second power play goal of the night. At 10:22 as Minnesota brought the puck in the zone and was charging the net Andrew Brunette fed Antti Miettinen on a tic-tac-pass-shot that Fernendaz wasn't able to react to for the Wild's first even strength goal of the season. At 12:28 Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who was set up behind the net, fed Eric Belanger whose slapper gave the Wild a 4-1 lead, which they carried into the second intermission.
Boston cut the lead in half to 4-2 at 11:51 of the third period when Michael Rider skated into the zone and stopped by the boards and turned around just to the right face off circle, and fed Marc Savard whose wrist shot went over the blocker of Minnesota netminder Niklas Backstom. The Bruins also got a late goal, again from Savard, but it wasn't enough as the Wild won it 4-3.
Next up for Minnesota is a three-game road trip to Atlanta, Florida, and Tampa Bay starting on Tuesday, and the Wild's next home game is on Thursday October 23rd against the Buffalo Sabres at 7pm. On the other side, Boston will continue their season opening four-game road trip in Montreal on Wednesday. The Bruins home opener comes on Monday October 20th against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Post-Game Notes:
C Eric Belanger tallied his first two-goal game as a member of the Wild. It was his sixth career multi-goal, with the last coming March 2, 2007.
D Marc-Andre Bergeron became the first defenceman to score in his Wild debut since D Kurtis Foster scored twice on Nov. 19, 2005, against Nashville. Bergeron was held to just two points (1-1=2) in his last 26 games last season with the New York Islanders and LA Ducks.
LW Antti Miettinen scored his second goal in as many regular season games, having finished off the 2007-08 season with Dallas with a goal against San Jose on April 6.
RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard notched his 46th career multi-point game with two assists. The Wild improved to 40-5-1 all-time when Bouchard has at least two points.
The Wild improved to 7-0-1 all-time in home openers, with seven straight wins. Minnesota is 5-0-0 in home openers that also begin a season.
Wild D Kim Johnsson had an assist in his 599th career NHL game.
G Niklas Backstrom improved to 53-15-10 in his last 78 decisions, and 44-12-8 in his last 64. Saturday was his 100th NHL appearance overall. He has won seven straight regular season home games dating back to last season, and is 8-0-4 in his last 12 decisions since his last home regulation loss on March 4, 2008.
Dating back to last season, the Wild has won seven straight regular season home games.
Minnesota went 8-24-5 when allowing the first goal last season.
C Marc Savard scored twice for the Bruins, while former Minnesota Golden Gopher Phil Kessel scored Boston's first goal. G Manny Fernandez, the Wild's all-time leader with 113 wins in net, made 22 saves in his first game back at Xcel Energy Center since a July 1, 2007 trade.
3 Stars of the Game (Picked by Doug Johnson of Lets Play Hockey)
1- Minnesota - Eric Belanger (2 Goals)
2- Minnesota - Mikko Koivu (2 Assists)
3- Minnesota - Brent Burns
St. Paul, Mn -- The Minnesota Wild opened the regular season Saturday night at the Excel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul against the Boston Bruins, and in addition to the regular season opening festivities the Wild raised their first Northwest Division Title banner to the rafters.
Going into Saturday night, Minnesota ranked fifth in the NHL on opening night with a .643 win percentage (4-2-1 all-time) including 4-0-0 in season openers that are home openers. The only tie was the Wild's first ever regular season home game against Philadelphia on 10/11/00 (3-3), and Marian Gaborik is the only player who has remained with Minnesota from the roster that night. Also since the Wild's first NHL season in 2000-01, they rank fourth in the league in GAA (2.47). Only New Jersey (2.30), Detroit (2.36) and Dallas (2.37) have given up fewer goals per game in the last seven NHL campaigns. In that same span, Minnesota goaltenders have the highest Save Percentage of any NHL team (.915). The LA Ducks are second with a .912 SV %. Also since 2000-01, the Wild has the third-best home GAA of any NHL team (2.25). Only Dallas (2.24) and New Jersey (2.24) have given up fewer goals at home over the past seven seasons.
Six skaters made their regular season Wild debut Saturday. Right Wingers Owen Nolan, Craig Weller, and Antti Miettinen along with Defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron, Marek Zidlicky, and Tomas Mojzis. Left Winger Andrew Brunette, who played for Minnesota from 2001-04, officially started his second tour of duty with the Wild Saturday night. During his first tour, the 35 year old played in 245 games and registered 164 points (54-110=164) and has played in 453 consecutive NHL games, the most of any active player.
Also interesting to note is that Defenceman Erik Reitz is the only American on Minnesota's opening night roster. That is the fewest number of United States-born players of any NHL team.
For Boston this was their second game of the NHL season, as the Bruins defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-4 on Thursday in Denver, and looked the part as they won the opening face off and got their first shot on goal :11 in.
In a night and season of first's, Owen Nolan registered the Wild's first shot on goal of the season at 1:41 into the game, a wrist shot from 17 feet on the right side. Brent Burns was called for the Wild's first penalty, and double minor, of the season at 3:06. Minnesota killed off the four-minute penalty, but it wasn't too long after that the Wild found themselves trailing for the first time. Former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Phil Kessel got off a wrist from the right face off dot that went past Minnesota goaltender Niklas Backstrom, playing in his 100th NHL game, to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. The Wild got their first power play goal of the season, on their second chance, at 18:32 when 19 year-old Colton Gillies fed Eric Belanger, who was set up on the right side of the net, and fired a wrist shot past former Minnesota goalie Manny Fernandez to tie it 1-1.
Minnesota started the second period, just as they had finished the first, on the attack and charging the net. At 1:49 the Wild fired several shots which were stopped by Manny Fernandez, who finished the night with 22 saves, but it wasn't until 4:01 that Minnesota took the lead. Marc-Andre Bergeron fired a slap shot just a few feet in front of the blue line, that Fernandez got his pads on but didn't fully stop as it trickled thru him and past the goal line for the Wild's second power play goal of the night. At 10:22 as Minnesota brought the puck in the zone and was charging the net Andrew Brunette fed Antti Miettinen on a tic-tac-pass-shot that Fernendaz wasn't able to react to for the Wild's first even strength goal of the season. At 12:28 Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who was set up behind the net, fed Eric Belanger whose slapper gave the Wild a 4-1 lead, which they carried into the second intermission.
Boston cut the lead in half to 4-2 at 11:51 of the third period when Michael Rider skated into the zone and stopped by the boards and turned around just to the right face off circle, and fed Marc Savard whose wrist shot went over the blocker of Minnesota netminder Niklas Backstom. The Bruins also got a late goal, again from Savard, but it wasn't enough as the Wild won it 4-3.
Next up for Minnesota is a three-game road trip to Atlanta, Florida, and Tampa Bay starting on Tuesday, and the Wild's next home game is on Thursday October 23rd against the Buffalo Sabres at 7pm. On the other side, Boston will continue their season opening four-game road trip in Montreal on Wednesday. The Bruins home opener comes on Monday October 20th against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Post-Game Notes:
C Eric Belanger tallied his first two-goal game as a member of the Wild. It was his sixth career multi-goal, with the last coming March 2, 2007.
D Marc-Andre Bergeron became the first defenceman to score in his Wild debut since D Kurtis Foster scored twice on Nov. 19, 2005, against Nashville. Bergeron was held to just two points (1-1=2) in his last 26 games last season with the New York Islanders and LA Ducks.
LW Antti Miettinen scored his second goal in as many regular season games, having finished off the 2007-08 season with Dallas with a goal against San Jose on April 6.
RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard notched his 46th career multi-point game with two assists. The Wild improved to 40-5-1 all-time when Bouchard has at least two points.
The Wild improved to 7-0-1 all-time in home openers, with seven straight wins. Minnesota is 5-0-0 in home openers that also begin a season.
Wild D Kim Johnsson had an assist in his 599th career NHL game.
G Niklas Backstrom improved to 53-15-10 in his last 78 decisions, and 44-12-8 in his last 64. Saturday was his 100th NHL appearance overall. He has won seven straight regular season home games dating back to last season, and is 8-0-4 in his last 12 decisions since his last home regulation loss on March 4, 2008.
Dating back to last season, the Wild has won seven straight regular season home games.
Minnesota went 8-24-5 when allowing the first goal last season.
C Marc Savard scored twice for the Bruins, while former Minnesota Golden Gopher Phil Kessel scored Boston's first goal. G Manny Fernandez, the Wild's all-time leader with 113 wins in net, made 22 saves in his first game back at Xcel Energy Center since a July 1, 2007 trade.
3 Stars of the Game (Picked by Doug Johnson of Lets Play Hockey)
1- Minnesota - Eric Belanger (2 Goals)
2- Minnesota - Mikko Koivu (2 Assists)
3- Minnesota - Brent Burns
Friday, October 3, 2008
October 3rd
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)
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)
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
Saturday, September 27, 2008
September 26th
After a 3+ month off season, Christophers Crease is back. Pete Waggoner and myself are still working hard (well mainly Pete) for several of the new changes to both TheStitch.us and MyFoxHockey.com along with a weekly radio hockey show starting in just a few weeks.
It felt kinda weird at the Wild's first preseason game on Wednesday against Columbus getting back into the swing of things. It didn't seem like five months had past since last being in the Al Shaver Press Box during the playoffs. It felt surreal in a sense, as did the Gopher Womens game tonight. Guess it goes to show that the media along with the players needs a training camp/few games to get back into the grove.
Be sure to check back as between the Crease, The Stitch, and My Fox Hockey we'll have plenty of Wild, Gopher Women, and Gopher Mens coverage for you, and thanks for your support.
GOPHERS DOWN SASKATCHEWAN 8-0
Minneapolis, Mn - The University of Minnesota Womens Hockey team opened the 2008-09 season Friday night at Ridder Arena with an exhibition against the University of Saskatchewan (Canada). The Gophers are coming off a 27-7-4 season (21-5-2, 2nd WCHA) in which they returned to the NCAA post-season after a year hiatus, helped in part to a 21-game unbeaten streak (19-0-2, November 18th to February 23rd), but lost a 3-2 heartbreaker in overtime to Wisconsin in the NCAA Regionals and just missed going to the Frozen Four.
Gone from last years roster are Whitney Graft, Erica McKenzie, Anya Miller, Jenelle Philipczyk and Bobbi Ross, who led the Gophers to two national championship games and 110 wins, and three of the top five scorers in McKenzie, Ross and Miller. Minnesota does return 15 letterwinners, including first-team All-WCHA selections Gigi Marvin and Rachael Drazan. Marvin, a second-team All-American, led the team in scoring with 54 points, which was good enough for 2nd in the Conference and eighth in the Nation. Drazen was second among defensewomen in scoring, and led them in plus/minus with a rating of +19.
The Gophers didn't waste any time once the puck dropped as they got their first offensive chance and shot on goal just :23 in, as Senior Gili Marvin's wrist shot went off the blocker of Saskatchewan's Vanessa Frederick. Junior Kelli Blankenship's fired a slapper from the left circle at 5:46 that hit off the pipe, and it wasn't until 6:44 that Minnesota's Gili Marvin scored the games first goal on the power play. The Gophers added another one about six minutes later off the stick of Freshman Monique Lamoureux, again on the power play. It wasn't until 15:15 in that Saskatchewan got their first shot on goal, and at periods end were trailing 18-1 in that department, as Minnesota established control early on and converted two of three power play chances on four total shots in the first period.
As is usually the case in most exhibition games the Gophers played all three of their goaltenders one period. Sophomore Jenny Lura for the first, Freshman Alyssa Grogan for the second, and Senior Kim Hanlon for the third.
Minnesota added three more goals in the second period from Junior Brittany Francis, Lamoureux's second, and Junior Kelli Blankenship, and got third period goals from Freshman Nikki Ludwigson, Sophomore Jen Schoullis, and Freshman Sarah Erickson.
New to WCHA play this year is the shootout. Just like in the NHL, if the score is tied at the end of regulation a five-minute overtime period is played, and if no one scores there will be a best of three shootout. Even though the game ended with the Gophers winning 8-0, the shootout was still practiced. For the record, Minnesota won it 2-1 with goals from Gili Marvin and Monique Lamaureux, and Chelsea Purcell converted for Saskatchewan.
The Gophers will play another exhibition game against the U.S. National Team at Ridder Arena on Sunday at 2pm, before opening the season October 3rd and 4th at home against Robert Morris.
GAME STATS
Shots on Goal:
SASK 1-6-3 10
MINN 18-13-16 47
Faceoffs Won
SASK 31
MINN 36
Penalties--Minutes
SASK 5--10
MINN 5--10
Power Plays
SASK 0-5 (2 SOG, Time 8:08)
MINN 2-5 (10 SOG, Time 7:24)
Goals:
SASK 0-0-0 0 (SO 1)
MINN 2-3-3 8 (SO 2)
Prd--Time--Team--Scored by (Assist/s)
1st--06:44--Minn-- PP Gili Marvin (Emily West)
1st--12:22--Minn-- PP Monique Lamoureux (Sarah Erickson, Anne Schleper)
2nd--10:31--Minn--EV Brittany Francis (Kelli Blankenship, Sarah Erickson)
2nd--16:20--Minn--EV Monique Lamoureux (Jocelyne Lamoure, Alexandra Zebro)
2nd--19:05--Minn--EV Kelli Blankenship (Brittany Francis, Sarah Erickson)
3rd--12:58--Minn--EV Nikki Ludwigson (Terra Rasmussen)
3rd--15:23--Minn--EV Jen Schoullis (Kelly Seeler)
3rd--18:22--Minn--SH Sarah Erickson (Gigi Marvin)
Goalie Stats:
Minnesota
Jenny Lura (Win) 20:00 Min 0 GA 1 SV
Alyssa Grogan 20:00 Min 0 GA 6 SV
Kim Hanlon 20:00 Min 0 GA 3 SV
Saskatchewan
Vanessa Frederick (Loss) 40:00 Min 5 GA 26 SV
Chauntal Armet 20:00 Min 3 GA 13 SV
It felt kinda weird at the Wild's first preseason game on Wednesday against Columbus getting back into the swing of things. It didn't seem like five months had past since last being in the Al Shaver Press Box during the playoffs. It felt surreal in a sense, as did the Gopher Womens game tonight. Guess it goes to show that the media along with the players needs a training camp/few games to get back into the grove.
Be sure to check back as between the Crease, The Stitch, and My Fox Hockey we'll have plenty of Wild, Gopher Women, and Gopher Mens coverage for you, and thanks for your support.
GOPHERS DOWN SASKATCHEWAN 8-0
Minneapolis, Mn - The University of Minnesota Womens Hockey team opened the 2008-09 season Friday night at Ridder Arena with an exhibition against the University of Saskatchewan (Canada). The Gophers are coming off a 27-7-4 season (21-5-2, 2nd WCHA) in which they returned to the NCAA post-season after a year hiatus, helped in part to a 21-game unbeaten streak (19-0-2, November 18th to February 23rd), but lost a 3-2 heartbreaker in overtime to Wisconsin in the NCAA Regionals and just missed going to the Frozen Four.
Gone from last years roster are Whitney Graft, Erica McKenzie, Anya Miller, Jenelle Philipczyk and Bobbi Ross, who led the Gophers to two national championship games and 110 wins, and three of the top five scorers in McKenzie, Ross and Miller. Minnesota does return 15 letterwinners, including first-team All-WCHA selections Gigi Marvin and Rachael Drazan. Marvin, a second-team All-American, led the team in scoring with 54 points, which was good enough for 2nd in the Conference and eighth in the Nation. Drazen was second among defensewomen in scoring, and led them in plus/minus with a rating of +19.
The Gophers didn't waste any time once the puck dropped as they got their first offensive chance and shot on goal just :23 in, as Senior Gili Marvin's wrist shot went off the blocker of Saskatchewan's Vanessa Frederick. Junior Kelli Blankenship's fired a slapper from the left circle at 5:46 that hit off the pipe, and it wasn't until 6:44 that Minnesota's Gili Marvin scored the games first goal on the power play. The Gophers added another one about six minutes later off the stick of Freshman Monique Lamoureux, again on the power play. It wasn't until 15:15 in that Saskatchewan got their first shot on goal, and at periods end were trailing 18-1 in that department, as Minnesota established control early on and converted two of three power play chances on four total shots in the first period.
As is usually the case in most exhibition games the Gophers played all three of their goaltenders one period. Sophomore Jenny Lura for the first, Freshman Alyssa Grogan for the second, and Senior Kim Hanlon for the third.
Minnesota added three more goals in the second period from Junior Brittany Francis, Lamoureux's second, and Junior Kelli Blankenship, and got third period goals from Freshman Nikki Ludwigson, Sophomore Jen Schoullis, and Freshman Sarah Erickson.
New to WCHA play this year is the shootout. Just like in the NHL, if the score is tied at the end of regulation a five-minute overtime period is played, and if no one scores there will be a best of three shootout. Even though the game ended with the Gophers winning 8-0, the shootout was still practiced. For the record, Minnesota won it 2-1 with goals from Gili Marvin and Monique Lamaureux, and Chelsea Purcell converted for Saskatchewan.
The Gophers will play another exhibition game against the U.S. National Team at Ridder Arena on Sunday at 2pm, before opening the season October 3rd and 4th at home against Robert Morris.
GAME STATS
Shots on Goal:
SASK 1-6-3 10
MINN 18-13-16 47
Faceoffs Won
SASK 31
MINN 36
Penalties--Minutes
SASK 5--10
MINN 5--10
Power Plays
SASK 0-5 (2 SOG, Time 8:08)
MINN 2-5 (10 SOG, Time 7:24)
Goals:
SASK 0-0-0 0 (SO 1)
MINN 2-3-3 8 (SO 2)
Prd--Time--Team--Scored by (Assist/s)
1st--06:44--Minn-- PP Gili Marvin (Emily West)
1st--12:22--Minn-- PP Monique Lamoureux (Sarah Erickson, Anne Schleper)
2nd--10:31--Minn--EV Brittany Francis (Kelli Blankenship, Sarah Erickson)
2nd--16:20--Minn--EV Monique Lamoureux (Jocelyne Lamoure, Alexandra Zebro)
2nd--19:05--Minn--EV Kelli Blankenship (Brittany Francis, Sarah Erickson)
3rd--12:58--Minn--EV Nikki Ludwigson (Terra Rasmussen)
3rd--15:23--Minn--EV Jen Schoullis (Kelly Seeler)
3rd--18:22--Minn--SH Sarah Erickson (Gigi Marvin)
Goalie Stats:
Minnesota
Jenny Lura (Win) 20:00 Min 0 GA 1 SV
Alyssa Grogan 20:00 Min 0 GA 6 SV
Kim Hanlon 20:00 Min 0 GA 3 SV
Saskatchewan
Vanessa Frederick (Loss) 40:00 Min 5 GA 26 SV
Chauntal Armet 20:00 Min 3 GA 13 SV
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