Final from Ridder: #Gophers officially tie, but get the extra point in the standings with a shootout win. #GWH pic.twitter.com/4iaJxIEU57
— Minnesota Women's Hockey (@GopherWHockey) January 11, 2015
The No. 2 Gopher women’s hockey team faced the No. 3 Badgers twice this weekend in a border battle, winning the first game Saturday 4-1, and playing to a 1-1 overtime tie Sunday. The Gophers did pull through 1-0 in the shootout.
“We were not at our best (Sunday),” coach Brad Frost tells Gopher Sports. “I thought we looked somewhat sluggish and tired… Wisconsin looked fresh, they looked determined and they played extremely well, hemmed us in our zone for significant times, extended periods of time in particular in the second period.”
The Badgers outshot the Gophers 14-8 in the second period and 13-6 in the third. The Gophers fired off the only five shots in overtime.
Junior Hannah Brandt scored the Gopher goal that tied the game with just six minutes remaining in regulation. After a scoreless overtime, Brandt went on to score the lone goal in the three-round shootout.
Minnesota junior goalie Amanda Leveille made 32 saves during the game and overtime.
The Gophers were scoreless on power plays; they’ve gone 0-for-9 on power plays in the last four games.
Wisconsin now leads Minnesota in WCHA standings, 41-40. The Badgers have played two more league games than the Gophers, though, according to Gopher Sports.
That's a final from Ridder Arena. #GWH pic.twitter.com/VEoOtRGxq5
— Minnesota Women's Hockey (@GopherWHockey) January 11, 2015
In Saturday’s 4-1 win, Hannah Brandt led the Gopher women with two goals and one assist. The other scorers were Dani Cameranesi with one goal and one assist, Cara Piazza with a goal and Maryanne Menefee with two assists.
Leveille had an impressive 23 saves Saturday, coming away with 55 for 57 saves in the series.
“It was a great, great win” Saturday, head coach Brad Frost tells Gopher Sports.
Wisconsin scored its only goal of the game on a power play. Minnesota went 0-1 in power plays.
The Gophers held the Badgers to 24 shots on goal. Saturday’s win was Minnesota’s 14th straight win against the Badgers.
Next up, the Gophers host Minnesota State, Mankato Friday, Jan. 16, and then head to Mankato the following day.
