The No. 8 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team will hit the road for the first time this season when it travels west to Bemidji, Minn. for a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series against Bemidji State University this weekend. The series at the Sanford Center will get underway Friday night at 6:07 p.m. before concluding Saturday afternoon at 3:07 p.m.
USCHO RANKING: UMD-- 8, Bemidji State-- NR
USA TODAY/USA Hockey Magazine: UMD-- 8, Bemidji State-- NR
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THE SERIES: UMD went 5-1 against BSU last season and is 74-18-7 all-time against the Beavers. The Bulldogs improved to 11-4 against BSU in the postseason last March after sweeping BSU. UMD outscored the Beavers 21-12 in six games last season, but only outshot them 186-173.
In their last head-to-head action, UMD swept Bemidji State March 1-2 in the WCHA Quarterfinals by scores of 3-2 and 4-3 at AMSOIL Arena. Gabbie Hughes and Maggie Flaherty led all scorers with three points each -- Hughes with two goals and an assist and Flaherty with three assists.
March 1, the Bulldogs never trailed after two first period goals from Naomi Rogge and Anneke Linser and a third period goal from Hughes. Maddie Rooney made 27 saves -- the Bulldogs outshot BSU 34-29.
In game two on Saturday, March 2, UMD fell behind by two early goals in the first period, but scored a goal in both the first and second period before Hughes scored the go-ahead tally midway through the third period. Linser added an insurance goal at 14:10 and Rooney made 32 saves for UMD, who just barely outshot the Beavers 36-35.
LAST TIME OUT: UMD swept Minnesota State in its first WCHA action last week by scores of 3-2 in overtime Friday and 4-1 Saturday afternoon, running the Bulldogs current winning streak to three games.
Senior forward Sydney Brodt, one of three UMD players who has registered points in all four of the Bulldogs games so far, led all scorers with five points on two goals and three assists. Brodt netted two of UMD's three goals Friday afternoon, including the game-winner in the 3-2 overtime thriller.
Saturday, Gabbie Hughes scored a SportCenter top-10 goal to begin UMD's four-goal avalanche of offense -- Hughes had a goal and assist in the game, Brodt and Ryleigh Houston had two assists and three different players notched goals.
NOTES FROM THE MINNESOTA STATE SERIES: The Bulldogs are now unbeaten in 10 skates with the Mavericks, dating back to Nov. 17, 2017, and is now 69-7-7 all-time against MSU.
--Three UMD players have notched points in every game so far this season -- Sydney Brodt with four goals and five assists for nine points, Gabbie Hughes at four goals and three assists for seven points and Ashton Bell with a goal and six assists.
CONSIDER IT BRODT: Senior forward Sydney Brodt not only leads the Bulldogs in scoring so far this season, she has figured in nine of UMD's 11 goals so far. Last weekend was no different for Brodt, who had a hand in five of seven tallies, including every single tally Friday night in the Bulldogs 3-2 overtime win. In fact, Brodt netted UMD's second and overtime winner Friday, as well as assisted on the opening strike. Brodt then had two assists on the first three UMD goals in Saturday's 4-1 win.
With a scoring streak of four games (4-5=9), Brodt has either scored or had the assist in nine of UMD's first 11 goals so far this season. Brodt turned in the second most points last weekend (2g, 3a for five points) in the WCHA, and third most in the NCAA.
Brodt has averaged at least a 2.00 points per game average in every game this season, and currently owns a 2.25 ppg through four games. She has had three games with two points, and one with three -- last Friday night against the Mavericks.
HUGHES EXTENDS SCORING STREAK: Dating back to Feb. 22 of last season, Gabbie Hughes now has a nine-game scoring streak intact. The sophomore forward has compiled seven goals and six assists for 13 points over those last night skates. This season alone, Hughes has registered four goals and three assists for seven points in four games.
RING THE SCORING BELL: Junior defenseman convert Ashton Bell ranks second in the WCHA among all defenseman with seven points on a goal and six assists in four games. Bell ranks third among all blueliners in points in the NCAA, and first with a 1.50 assist per game ratio.
ROONEY ON THE RISE: Maddie Rooney has made a number of moves on the career charts already so far this year. After just four games, (and 91 career games), Rooney has climbed into the No. 2 for all-time saves (2,568), No. 5 wins (45) and No. 4 minutes played (5358:47).
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