No. 2 Minnesota improved to 8-1-0 overall and 6-1-0 in WCHA play with a 4-1 victory over BemidjiState on the road. The Beavers fall to 5-2-2 and 2-2-1 in conference action. Jen Schoullis had her first career hat trick as a Gopher, scoring three of Minnesota's four goals.
For just the second time this season, Minnesota allowed its opponent to score first, as BemidjiState jumped out to a 1-0 lead seven minutes and 22 seconds into the game. Sadie Lundquist got the goal for the Beavers, assisted by Emily Erickson and Tess Dusik.
Just over eight minutes later, senior captain Jen Schoullis tied it up with a goal, assisted by junior Megan Bozek. Schoullis continued to lead the rally and notched her second goal of the game less than three minutes later, again assisted by Bozek. Schoullis had two goals in a game for the sixth time in her career.
Both teams were penalty-free until the final minutes of the period, as Lauren Williams went to the penalty box for slashing at 18:48. Minnesota was on the power play for only 54 seconds as senior Emily West got called for cross checking and went to the box to start four-on-four play. Minnesota went to the first intermission with a 25-7 advantage in shots.
Coming back from intermission, both teams had a player in the penalty box, but no penalties were called in the period. Both teams were scoreless in the second stanza with several close chances for both teams. Minnesota put 11 shots on in the second period, but couldn't get any to go in the net. The Gophers had just their fourth scoreless period of the season.
Minnesota added two goals in the third period. Senior Sarah Erickson got her fifth goal of the season when she scored from sophomore Amanda Kessel eight and a half minutes into the period. Both teams kept p a fast pace throughout the final minutes, and the Beavers had several close chance, but couldn't find the net. With a minute left in the period, Bemidji State pulled its goalie giving them a sixth skater, but the plan backfired as Schoullis got an empty net goal at 19:41 to bring the score to 4-1. With the empty-netter, Schoullis tallied the first hat trick of her Gopher career.
Minnesota compiled 50 shots in the game, marking the fifth time this season the Gophers have had 50 or more shots.
