Gopher Women Rebound Against North Dakota

GRAND FORKS, N.D.(Gophersports.com)  - No. 2 Minnesota scored three unanswered goals to secure a 3-1 win and earn a series split on the road at No. 8 North Dakota Saturday afternoon.

Minnesota (25-2-4, 18-2-4-2 WCHA) received goals from Dani Cameranesi (Plymouth, Minn.), Hannah Brandt (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) and Rachel Ramsey (Chanhassen, Minn.) and 17 saves from goaltender Amanda Leveille (Kingston, Ont.).

"I thought it was a great response for us tonight," head coach Brad Frost said. "We gave up that quick one, but we responded well on the power play. We got shots through tonight, we got pucks and bodies to the net and to the blue paint. Our power play was great, and we stayed out of the penalty box.

"It was just an overall great effort, the way that we need to play to be successful, particularly down the stretch against these great teams."

North Dakota (16-11-3, 12-9-3-2 WCHA) struck first when Josephine Jakobsen solved Leveille just 1:17 into the game. Midway through the first period, the Gophers responded when Cameranesi buried a power-play goal on a feed from Lee Stecklein (Roseveille, Minn.) and Kate Schipper (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) at 12:42.

Minnesota took its first lead of the series at 2:06 of the second period when Schipper gained possession off a UND turnover behind the home team's net. She sent a pass to Brandt in the slot, who sent a one-timer past UND goaltender Shelby Amsley-Benzie to make it 2-1.

Ramsey extended the Gophers' lead to two with a power-play goal at 12:11 of the middle frame. She ripped a shot from the point that found its way through traffic and past Amsley-Benzie.

The teams played a scoreless third period despite Minnesota outshooting North Dakota, 13-2, in the final 20 minutes. For the game, the Gophers held a 45-18 advantage in shots on goal.

Minnesota was 2-for-5 on the power play after going 0-for-4 in Friday's 3-0 loss. The Gophers held UND scoreless on its lone power-play opportunities and 0-for-2 in the series.

"It was a good win here tonight, three big points," Frost said, "We're looking forward to getting back home next weekend against UMD."

The Gophers return to Ridder Arena to host Minnesota Duluth next weekend. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. CT Friday, Feb. 13 and 4 p.m. CT Saturday, Feb. 14.

The Gophers are pleased to offer two Valentine's Day promotions next weekend. Fans can enjoy buy one, get one free general admission tickets to Saturday's game, and young fans can receive a Gopher t-shirt and a Valentine signed by their favorite women's hockey player.

The Gophers will honor their four seniors, Rachael Bona, Meghan Lorence, Rachel Ramsey and Shyler Sletta, prior to Saturday's game against the Bulldogs as well.