The Gopher women's hockey team got by yet another tough challenge in beating the eighth ranked Wisconsin Badgers, 5-1, at LaBahn Arena this afternoon. Noora Raty was in net, earning her 100th career victory and tying an NCAA record for most career wins. Raty has many records still in her sight in what has turned out to be a record breaking season for everyone in maroon and gold.
A good start is always important and Becky Kortum would see to that. She would go top shelf over the glove hand of Alex Rigsby to give the Gophers the lead at 7:01. Kortum's 11th of the year would be answered five minutes later by Wisconsin. A power play goal by Madison Packer would even things at one. The Gophers would answer with their own power play goal when Hannah Brandt tapped in a rebound to put them up to stay.
Kelly Terry would score the lone goal of the second period. Terry received a nice pass from Kortum and put it over the right shoulder of Rigsby for her seventh of the year. The shake up with the lines seemed to work for Coach Frost, as it seemed every line had plenty of scoring chances. The Gophers built up a 23-14 lead in shots through two periods.
The Gophers were able to close the show with goals by their defensive stars, Rachel Ramsey and Megan Bozek. A 5-1 score was the final to give the Gophers a season sweep of their most hated rivals. It was the first road sweep of Wisconsin since the '03-'04 season and the first season sweep since 1999-'00 season.
Noora Raty gave up just one goal all series and moved closer to holding just about every record a goalie can get. She has a chance at the best single season save percentage, win percentage, goals against average, and shutouts.
The Gophers have now won 34 straight games and have just eight regular season games left.
There is some bad news. The Gophers will be without Sam Downey for the next four to five weeks with a lower body injury.
Next up are another rival in Minnesota-Duluth. The Bulldogs are playing very good as of late with an 8-0-2 record in their last 10 games.
Thanks for reading!
Comments