2008 Woodie Awards
Mavericks lose seventh straight at hands of Minnesota
by Josh Berhow
Issue date: 1/29/08
Section: Womens Sports
The No. 4 Minnesota Gophers continue to have Minnesota State's number on the rink. The Mavericks were swept over the weekend 3-1 Friday and 4-3 Saturday in Minneapolis, moving to 3-39-2 all-time against the Gophers, and losing their seventh-straight game.
MSU, however, played competitive games against UM this time around, a far cry from getting swept and shutout 6-0 and 1-0 during the prior meeting in Mankato early in the season.
The Mavericks outshot the Gophers (19-4-3, 15-4-1 WCHA) 10-8 in the first period of play Friday, but the Gophers managed to score a late goal at 18:47 to gain the early 1-0 lead.
An even-strength goal halfway through the second period gave the Gophers a 2-0 lead when Emily West scored on a wraparound. Minnesota scored again late in the period with just 28 seconds left on a power-play goal from Rachael Drazan.
Christina Lee gave MSU some life when she scored her third goal of the season on a power play at 15:26. Nina Tikkinen and Amanda Stohr were credited with the assists.
MSU goaltender Britni Kehler had a solid outing for the Mavericks, after missing last game due to injury. Lee's goal and Kehler's 40 saves - 20 in the third period - couldn't help spark a comeback as MSU lost the series opener.
Lee's power-play goal in the third broke a 0-for-23 power-play slump for the Mavericks.
Though the power-play goal didn't bring added success Friday night, it carried over to Saturday's matchup as the Mavericks netted two first-period goals - both on the power play - from Andreanne Thibault and Ashley Young.
"It was nice to get some power-play goals to get some confidence in that area," said head coach Jeff Vizenor.
Young's first goal of the season came in her first series back since missing most of the season with a leg injury. She only practiced four times with the team prior to the weekend's games.
"Sitting in the stands [watching] isn't fun," Young said. "The first period was pretty shaky, but after that it comes back to you."
"It was nice to get her back and get two games under her belt," Vizenor said. "It was good to see her get a goal right away and get that monkey off her back. I think she did a good job."
The Mavericks lead didn't last long though, as the Gophers netted a power-play goal late in the first period. The special-teams goal then opened the gates for the Gophers, as they scored three more times in the second period - two more on the power play - to take the 4-2 lead into the second intermission.
"The second period was our downfall both nights," Vizenor said. "We are going to look to improve on that this week."
Minnesota managed four power-play goals over the weekend, against an MSU team that has played well with its penalty-killing unit during the season.
Kala Buganski scored her eighth goal of the season with five minutes remaining in the third period, but her late tally wasn't enough as the Gophers took the series.
Kehler started in net again for MSU, making 27 saves.
Next up for MSU (6-17-1, 5-14-1) is a home-and-home series with St. Cloud State next weekend. Friday's game will be played in St. Cloud, and Saturday's game will be at All Seasons Arena in Mankato.
Josh Berhow is the Reporter assistant sports editor
MSU, however, played competitive games against UM this time around, a far cry from getting swept and shutout 6-0 and 1-0 during the prior meeting in Mankato early in the season.
The Mavericks outshot the Gophers (19-4-3, 15-4-1 WCHA) 10-8 in the first period of play Friday, but the Gophers managed to score a late goal at 18:47 to gain the early 1-0 lead.
An even-strength goal halfway through the second period gave the Gophers a 2-0 lead when Emily West scored on a wraparound. Minnesota scored again late in the period with just 28 seconds left on a power-play goal from Rachael Drazan.
Christina Lee gave MSU some life when she scored her third goal of the season on a power play at 15:26. Nina Tikkinen and Amanda Stohr were credited with the assists.
MSU goaltender Britni Kehler had a solid outing for the Mavericks, after missing last game due to injury. Lee's goal and Kehler's 40 saves - 20 in the third period - couldn't help spark a comeback as MSU lost the series opener.
Lee's power-play goal in the third broke a 0-for-23 power-play slump for the Mavericks.
Though the power-play goal didn't bring added success Friday night, it carried over to Saturday's matchup as the Mavericks netted two first-period goals - both on the power play - from Andreanne Thibault and Ashley Young.
"It was nice to get some power-play goals to get some confidence in that area," said head coach Jeff Vizenor.
Young's first goal of the season came in her first series back since missing most of the season with a leg injury. She only practiced four times with the team prior to the weekend's games.
"Sitting in the stands [watching] isn't fun," Young said. "The first period was pretty shaky, but after that it comes back to you."
"It was nice to get her back and get two games under her belt," Vizenor said. "It was good to see her get a goal right away and get that monkey off her back. I think she did a good job."
The Mavericks lead didn't last long though, as the Gophers netted a power-play goal late in the first period. The special-teams goal then opened the gates for the Gophers, as they scored three more times in the second period - two more on the power play - to take the 4-2 lead into the second intermission.
"The second period was our downfall both nights," Vizenor said. "We are going to look to improve on that this week."
Minnesota managed four power-play goals over the weekend, against an MSU team that has played well with its penalty-killing unit during the season.
Kala Buganski scored her eighth goal of the season with five minutes remaining in the third period, but her late tally wasn't enough as the Gophers took the series.
Kehler started in net again for MSU, making 27 saves.
Next up for MSU (6-17-1, 5-14-1) is a home-and-home series with St. Cloud State next weekend. Friday's game will be played in St. Cloud, and Saturday's game will be at All Seasons Arena in Mankato.
Josh Berhow is the Reporter assistant sports editor
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