In a match-up that has once again become the state's best rivalry, the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team settled for a series split with the No. 2 University of Minnesota Sunday afternoon.

 

The Gophers scored two goals late in the third period -- including an empty net tally -- to escape the upset-minded Bulldogs 5-3 at Ridder Arena in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action.  UMD knocked off Minnesota Saturday night in overtime 3-2 in game one of the heralded series.

 

In their fifth meeting of the season and third in a month, the Bulldogs got on the board first at 9:31 of the first period.  Freshman Anneke Linser managed to get her stick free in front of the goal, and despite being tied up by a Gopher defenseman, backhanded the puck past Minnesota goaltender Sydney Scobee for her sixth goal of the season.

 

The Gophers response was delayed until 3:10 of the second period, and after struggling to beat UMD netminder Maddie Rooney Saturday, Minnesota resorted to an unconventional method.  Catie Skaja and Sarah Potomak netted back-to-back goals 1:11 apart from the extended goal line, shooting the puck off the back of Rooney's pads and in.

 

The 2-1 Gopher lead was short-lived, however, and UMD answered at 5:12 of the stanza.  Ryleigh Houston strong-armed a rebound in traffic after a battle in the crease to draw the Bulldogs even at 2-2.

 

Minnesota again broke the stalemate, this time 2:25 into the third period when Amy Potomak whacked in a bouncing puck on the power play.  But the Bulldogs drew even again on an impossible long angled shot by Gabbie Hughes at 10:29 to make it a 3-3 game. Hughes -- who had assists on both Bulldog goals prior to scoring her own -- has also now logged a goal in all five of her appearances against Minnesota this season.

 

A power play goal from Minnesota's Nicole Schammel off a rebound at 16:37 turned out to be the game-winning goal, although the Gophers added an empty net goal with 37 seconds left in regulation for the 5-3 final score.

 

Rooney had 39 saves for UMD, while her counterpart in the Minnesota net, Scoobee had 26 stops.  The Gophers were 2-of-2 on their power play and improve to 25-4-1 and 15-4-1 in the WCHA. Minnesota outshot UMD 44-29 in the contest.

 

UMD returns to AMSOIL Arena next weekend to host St. Cloud State University at 7:07 p.m. Friday night and 4:07 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

BULLDOG NOTES:  With a goal and two assists Sunday, Gabbie Hughes has now recorded eight points on five goals and three assists in five games against Minnesota this season … Hughes has logged at least a goal every time she has faced the Gophers.