University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Lindenwood
10/21/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 2-ranked University of Minnesota women's hockey team returns to Ridder Arena this week to host Lindenwood in a two-game nonconference series. Puck drop is set for Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. CT and Friday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. CT. Both games will stream live on B1G+.
#2 Minnesota (5-1-0, 3-1-0 WCHA) vs. Lindenwood (4-6-0, 1-5-0 AHA)
Date: Oct. 22
Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+
Location: Ridder Arena
#2 Minnesota (5-1-0, 3-1-0 WCHA) vs. Lindenwood (4-6-0, 1-5-0 AHA)
Date: Oct. 23
Time: 3:00 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+
Location: Ridder Arena
Homecoming Parade / Traffic Advisory
The University of Minnesota will host their annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 23. Due to the parade route, University Ave. will be closed to all traffic from approx. 6pm-8pm. Please plan accordingly and avoid the University Ave. road closure. All individuals are encouraged to purchase parking passes in advance. Fans arriving without a parking pass should utilize available parking at the Ski-U-Mah and Victory Lots or Oak Street ramp.
Women's Hockey Parking vs. Lindenwood
Opengate and New Bag Policy at Ridder Arena
New this year, gate entrance will hold a consistent security clearance in all our Gopher facilities. Please see HERE for prohibited items.
Last Time Out
Minnesota split its series with top-ranked Ohio State last weekend at Ridder Arena. The Gophers opened the weekend with a 6-2 victory Friday, led by Adrianna Milani's career-best four-point performance. Ohio State responded Saturday, building a 3-0 lead before Minnesota rallied to take a 5-4 advantage in the third period. The Buckeyes scored twice late to secure a 6-5 win and earn the series split.
Scouting the Lions
Lindenwood enters the weekend at 4-6-0, with several close contests against challenging competition, including a 2-1 loss to Mercyhurst and a narrow 5-4 defeat against No. 5 Penn State last time out. Junior forward Paige Cline leads the Lions with five goals and is tied for the team lead with seven points. Junior defenseman Elina Zilliox also has seven points, including a team-high six assists. Freshman goaltender Ebba Ridderstolpe has made six starts, posting a 2.21 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. Junior Madison Bowtell has started three games, recording a 1.34 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage. Lindenwood is led by first-year head coach Max Gavin, who joins the program after assistant coaching stints at Dartmouth and Boston College.
Inside the Series
Minnesota will face Lindenwood for the fifth and sixth times in program history. The Gophers are undefeated against the Lions, holding a 4-0-0 all-time record. The teams last met during the 2017-18 season, when Minnesota earned a 3-1 win and a 4-3 overtime victory.
Forward of the Week
Sarah Paul was named WCHA Forward of the Week after recording four points (2g, 2a) in Minnesota's series split with No. 1 Ohio State. She tallied two assists in Friday's 6-2 win before scoring twice Saturday, including goals that tied the game at 4-4 and gave the Gophers a 5-4 lead. Paul finished the weekend with 11 shots on goal and a plus-3 rating, earning her first WCHA weekly honor.
Representing Canada
Minnesota junior defender Chloe Primerano has been named to Canada's National Women's Team roster for the 2026 IIHF Women's World Championship, set for Nov. 6-16 in Herning and Esbjerg, Denmark. Primerano is one of eight defenders selected to represent Canada at the tournament.
First Gopher Goal
Ashley Allard scored her first goal in the Maroon and Gold during Friday's win over Ohio State. Allard won a battle in front of the net and buried the puck to extend Minnesota's lead to 5-2.
Between the Pipes
Hannah Clark recorded 66 saves during Minnesota's series split with Ohio State. She stopped 26 of 28 shots in Friday's victory for a .929 save percentage and followed with 40 saves in Saturday's one-goal loss.
Pip Producing
Freshman forward Adrianna Milani continues to make an impact, recording her third multi-goal game of the season last weekend. She posted a career-best four points (2g, 2a) in Friday's win and ranks sixth nationally in power-play goals.
Apple Picking
The Gophers feature two of the nation's top assist producers in Sarah Paul and Julia Schalin, who are each averaging 1.00 assists per game to rank 19th nationally. Emma Kreisz is also among the national leaders, ranking 49th with 0.83 assists per game.
Leading the Way
Milani and Paul share the team lead with eight points. Milani leads Minnesota with six goals, including two on the power play, while Schalin paces the roster with six assists through six games. Kreisz owns a team-best plus-nine rating, and Molly Jordan leads the Gophers with two game-winning goals. In goal, Clark leads the team with a .911 save percentage, while Layla Hemp owns a team-best 2.50 goals-against average.
Lighting the Lamp
Minnesota ranks third nationally with 29 goals scored and sixth in scoring offense, averaging 4.83 goals per game through its first six contests.
Power Play Prowess
The Gophers rank seventh nationally on the power play, converting 33.3 percent of their opportunities. Minnesota's six power-play goals rank fourth in the country.
Controlling the Dot
Minnesota ranks eighth nationally in faceoff winning percentage at .574. Bella Fanale leads the Gophers with 56 faceoff wins, while Kreisz has recorded 50.
Rising in the Ranks
Minnesota climbed to No. 2 in both the USCHO and USA Hockey national polls this week. It marks the Gophers' first appearance in the top two since Nov. 17, 2025.
Behind the Bench
Greg "Boom" May was named Minnesota's head coach on March 22, 2026, becoming the third head coach in program history. May previously served as the Gophers' associate head coach from 2023-26, helping Minnesota to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and a 2025 NCAA Frozen Four berth. May also served as head coach at Augsburg from 2021-23, leading the Auggies to two NCAA tournament appearances and the 2022 Frozen Four. He was named MIAC Coach of the Year in 2022. May was an assistant coach for the U.S. Women's U18 National Team that won gold at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship. May is joined on staff by General Manager Jessica Scott, assistant coach Marty Sertich, and assistant coaches and former alumni Winny Brodt Brown and Amanda Leveille.
Quest for Eight
Minnesota continues its pursuit of an eighth national championship after winning seven NCAA titles in 2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
