Nov. 15, 2009

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MADISON, Wis. - Minnesota Duluth was the only Western Collegiate Hockey Association able to record a two-game sweep over the Nov. 13-14 weekend as the Bulldogs went on the road and claimed 3-2 (ot) and 5-3 victories over Ohio State to close within two points of first place.

In the two other conference series contested, Minnesota maintained their first place standing with a 4-1 win and 1-1 overtime tie at Minnesota State, Mankato while St. Cloud State rebounded from a loss at Bemidji State on Friday to claim a 5-2 triumph over the Beavers on Saturday. The Golden Gophers managed to acquire four points in the series, however, as they gained a shootout victory over the Mavericks following the overtime draw.

In non-conference action this week, Wisconsin recorded a 2-2 overtime tie against visiting Wayne State last Thursday night before claiming a 6-2 triumph on Friday afternoon.

Through games of Nov. 15, five points separate the top five clubs in the WCHA standings. Defending regular season champion Minnesota (9-2-1, 7-2-1-1 WCHA) is first with 16 points, Minnesota Duluth (9-5-0, 7-3-0 WCHA) is second with 14 points, Ohio State (5-6-3, 5-6-1 WCHA) is third with 11 points, and Bemidji State (4-8-2, 3-3-2-2 WCHA) and Wisconsin (7-4-1, 5-3-0 WCHA) are tied for fourth with 10 points each. North Dakota (3-6-1, 3-6-1 WCHA), idle from competition this week, is sixth with seven points, followed by Minnesota State (3-4-3, 1-4-3-1 WCHA) and St. Cloud State (4-8-0, 3-7-0 WCHA) tied for seventh with six points apiece.

Looking ahead to next weekend, Nov. 20-22, there will be three WCHA series on the docket as Bemidji State visits Minnesota (Friday/Saturday), St. Cloud State hosts Wisconsin (Friday/Saturday), and Minnesota Duluth entertains Minnesota State (Saturday/Sunday). In non-conference play, Ohio State will host St. Lawrence (Friday/Saturday) of ECAC Hockey and North Dakota will engage the Manitoba Maple Leafs in exhibition play next Saturday.

At the OSU Ice Rink in Columbus on Saturday night, visiting Minnesota Duluth broke open a 1-1 tie with four second period goals enroute to a 5-3 WCHA victory over Ohio State and a sweep of their series before 481. Left wingers Laura Fridfinnson and Vanessa Thibault each scored two goals for the Bulldogs, with Fridfinnson netting the eventual game-winner at 12:05 of the second. Also for UMD, Jennifer Harss made 40 saves between the pipes and right winger Emmanuelle Blais contributed two assists. For the Buckeyes, linemates Laura McIntosh and Hokey Langan each had a goal and two assists.

At All Seasons Arena in Mankto on Nov. 14, visiting Minnesota and Minnesota State played to a 1-1 overtime tie before the Golden Gophers earned an extra point with a shootout win before 384. The host Mavericks, behind a goal from center Nina Tikkinen at 5:09 of the first period, blanked Minnesota until defenseman Anne Schleper knotted the score at 1-1 with a game-tying power-play goal at 11:31 of the third period. Following a scoreless 5:00 overtime, Schleper scored in a shootout. In goal, Alli Altmann had 33 saves for MSU while Noora Räty had 26 for UM.

And at John Glas Fieldhouse in Bemidji on Saturday, visiting St. Cloud State bounced back from a loss in the series opener to hand Bemidji State a 5-2 loss as winger Holly Roberts notched a three-goal hat trick before 109. The Huskies, who outshot the Beavers, 36-23 and hit on two-of-three power-play chances, broke open a 1-1 second period tie as Roberts scored consecutive power-play goals, including the game-winner at 13:40. SCSU also scored two shorthanders in the third period, one by center Caitlin Hogan and one by Roberts. Also for the Huskies, defenseman Danielle Hirsch had three assists while for BSU, winger Erin Cody and center Sadie Lundquist each had a goal and an assist.

 

This Week in the WCHA

Results of Thursday, Nov. 12: Wayne State 2 at Wisconsin 2 ot (nc). Results of Friday, Nov. 13: Wayne State 2 at Wisconsin 6 (nc); Minnesota 4 at Minnesota State 1 (WCHA); Minnesota Duluth 3 at Ohio State 2 ot (WCHA); St. Cloud State 0 at Bemidji State 1 (WCHA).

Results of Saturday, Nov. 14: St. Cloud State 5 at Bemidji State 2 (WCHA); Minnesota 1 at Minnesota State 1 ot (WCHA); Minnesota Duluth 5 at Ohio State 3 (WCHA).

 

Upcoming in the WCHA

Games for Friday, Nov. 20: Wisconsin at St. Cloud State (WCHA), 2:07 pm CT; Bemidji State at Minnesota (WCHA), 6:07 pm CT; St. Lawrence at Ohio State (nc), 7:07 pm ET.

Games for Saturday, Nov. 21: St. Lawrence at Ohio State (nc), 2:07 pm ET; Wisconsin at St. Cloud State (WCHA), 2:07 pm CT; Bemidji State at Minnesota (WCHA), 4:07 pm CT; Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth (WCHA), 6:07 pm CT; Manitoba Maple Leafs at North Dakota (x), 7:07 pm CT.

Games for Sunday, Nov. 22: Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth (WCHA), 3:07 pm CT.

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