University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
35-0-0, 29-0-0WCHA
Bemidji State
6-25-2, 5-23-1WCHA
Defense Leads Gophers to 5-0 Win Over Beavers
3/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
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Mar. 1, 2013
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Senior goaltender Noora Raty recorded her NCAA career record 40th shutout to aid the University of Minnesota women's hockey team to a 5-0 win over Bemidji State in the opening game of their best-of-three series in the WCHA playoffs. Fellow senior Megan Bozek matched a single game career-high two goals to lead the Golden Gophers' offense, which exploded for four goals in the third period.
After being held to a 1-0 lead in the first two periods, Bozek led a Minnesota surge that netted four goals in the final period. The team captain extended the team's lead at 4:45 when she skated around three BSU players and slipped the puck under Jessica Havel's glove.
The 2013 Patty Kazmaier Award Top-10 finalist also tallied another goal at 16:53, which pushed the Gophers' lead to 5-0.
The Maroon & Gold, who have won 43 consecutive games, also received goals from junior Kelly Terry and sophomore Rachael Bona in the third stanza. Terry's goal was recorded at 8:31 as she tipped a Rachel Ramsey shot through Havel's five-hole. Bona's 14th goal of the season was notched at 11:19 as she snuck it by Havel's glove side.
Bona tallied two points in the game as she also assisted Mira Jalosuo on the game-winning goal, which came on a slap shot from the blue line at 3:50 in the second period.
Minnesota bombarded the Beaver's senior goaltender with 46 shots, while Räty faced only 20.
With the shutout tonight, Räty takes sole possession of the NCAA career shutouts record with 40. She surpasses former Wisconsin goaltender Jessie Vetter. The shutout also gave the Patty Kazmaier finalist 14 shutouts on the season, which matches Vetter's NCAA single season record.
Minnesota is now one win away from punching their ticket to the WCHA Final Face-Off, which is held at Ridder Arena March 8-9. Saturday's matchup against BSU begins at 4 p.m.
