Full Slate of Four WCHA Series Set for Oct. 17-18 Feature UMD at SCSU, UW at BSU, OSU at UM, MSU at UND
Rachael Drazan and the Golden Gophers Swept at UMD |
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Oct. 14, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
MADISON, Wis. - Minnesota Duluth raised the national championship banner for the 2007-08 women's season at the DECC on Oct. 10, but visiting Minnesota wrecked the party by beating the defending Western Collegiate Hockey Association and national champs twice.
Melanie Gagnon scored the game-winning power play goal with :25 seconds left in overtime to give the No. 6 Golden Gophers (3-1-0, 2-0-0 WCHA) a 4-3 victory over the top-rated Bulldogs (2-2-0, 0-2-0 WCHA) in the WCHA season opener last Friday and then Jenny Lura made 36 saves and freshmen twins Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux each scored to complete the sweep with a 2-0 victory last Saturday. UMD had not been swept on its home ice since Wisconsin won twice there on Jan. 6-7, 2002. The last time UMD had been shutout at home also came against Minnesota when Kim Hanlon won, 3-0, last year on Nov. 18.
The Gophers' sweep was just one of three on the first weekend of league play for six of the eight WCHA-member teams. Wisconsin stayed unbeaten by beating Ohio State (2-2, 0-2) twice, 7-4 and 4-0, at Columbus, Ohio. Wisconsin has outscored opponents 39-7 in posting a 6-0-0 overall record, 2-0-0 in the WCHA.
North Dakota took two one-goal decisions from St. Cloud State last weekend in Grand Forks, N.D. It was the Fighting Sioux's first sweep over the Huskies (2-2-0, 0-2-0 WCHA) since 2004 and gives UND a 3-1-0 overall record (2-0-0 WCHA), its best ever start. Brittany Kirkham made 32 saves to backstop North Dakota's 2-1 series opening victory on Oct. 10 and Stephanie Ney made 38 saves in a 3-2 victory last Saturday.
In non-conference play last weekend, host Minnesota State (3-1-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) swept Maine, 5-2 and 4-0, at Mankato, Minn. And Bemidji State (1-1-2, 0-0-0 WCHA) tied Northeastern twice, 0-0 and 2-2. Even though it won't count in their record (as it will during WCHA play this season) the two coaches agreed to post-game shootouts after the overtime and the Beavers won the shootout both nights.
This weekend (Oct. 17-18) marks the first complete round of league play in the 2008-09 season. Minnesota Duluth is at St. Cloud State and the National Hockey Center, Minnesota State visits North Dakota and Ralph Engelstad Arena, Minnesota entertains Ohio State at Ridder Arena, and Wisconsin is at Bemidji State and John Glas Fieldhouse on Friday. The Badgers and Beavers then move their series to Eveleth, Minn., on Saturday to play the first-ever women's U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at the Eveleth Hippodrome.
On Sunday, Oct. 19, North Dakota will take on the U.S. Women's Select Team in an exhibition matchup at Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., that will conclude the week's schedule.
Looking ahead to the following week (Oct. 20-26), St. Cloud State will host the U.S. Women's Select Team on Tuesday, Oct. 21. On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, Bemidji State is at Ohio State, Minnesota State visits Minnesota Duluth in league play while in non-conference series, St. Cloud State entertains Brown and North Dakota hosts Union College. The Minnesota at Wisconsin series that weekend will be contested on Friday (Oct. 24) and Sunday (Oct. 26) at the Kohl Center.
This Week in the WCHA
Games for Friday, Oct. 17: Minnesota Duluth at St. Cloud State, 2:07 pm CT (WCHA); Ohio State at Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT (WCHA); Minnesota State at North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT (WCHA); Wisconsin at Bemidji State, 7:07 pm CT (WCHA).
Games for Saturday, Oct. 18: Minnesota State at North Dakota, 2:07 pm CT (WCHA); Ohio State at Minnesota, 4:07 pm CT (WCHA); Minnesota Duluth at St. Cloud State, 5:07 pm CT (WCHA); * Wisconsin at Bemidji State, 6:07 pm CT (WCHA). *U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game (Eveleth, MN)
Games for Sunday, October 19: * Team USA vs North Dakota, 2:07 pm CT (x). * Blaine, MN
Tickets for 2009 WCHA FINAL FACE-OFF at Ridder Arena Now on Sale
Tickets for the 2009 WCHA FINAL FACE-OFF championship, set for March 7-8 at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn., are on sale now at the University of Minnesota Ticket Office.
Three-game session tickets for the women's playoff championship are available at three prices: $20 for a reserved seat, $18 for general admission, and $15 for seniors and youth (age 18 and under). Tickets may be purchased by calling the Gopher Ticket Office at 612-624-8080, or 1-800-U-Gopher, or online at Gophersports.com.
Single session tickets, priced at $15, $12 and $8, will be available on the days of the semifinals and championship game. The two semifinal games will be played on Saturday, March 8 at 1:00 pm CT and 4:00 pm CT. The WCHA FINAL FACE-OFF Championship game is Sunday, March 9 at 1:00 pm CT.
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