For the first time this season, the No. 6/7 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team will step outside of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association to face Penn State University and St. Lawrence University in the D1 in DC tournament presented by the Washington Spirit. While both games will be played in the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virgina. Friday's skate against the Nittany Lions will get underway at 4:00 p.m. (ET). Saturday, the Bulldogs will face the Saints at 2:30 p.m. (ET).
THE SERIES: PENN STATE:The Bulldogs have faced the Nittany Lions in just one series in the history of their programs, a series sweep in UMD in Duluth, Minn. back on Sept. 29-30, 2017 by scores of 1-0 and 3-0. While UMD is 2-0 all-time against PSU, it is 12-2-1 against CHA opponents. Just two players currently rostered for UMD suited up against Penn State four years ago -- senior forwards Anna Klein and Naomi Rogge. Rogge's first-ever collegiate point was an assist came against PSU back on Sept. 30, 2017.
In their first ever meeting four years ago defenseman Jalyn Elmes had two game-winning goals in the series, including the lone goal 1:22 into play. Elmes tacked on the game-winning goal the following game 7:55 into the third period, a power play goal from the blueline. Jessica Convery shut out the Nittany Lions with 22 saves in game one and 12 the second skate.
In all, seven players notch points on the weekend, including three with two -- Elmes, Katrina Mrázová (2a) and Sydney Brodt (1g, 1a). Four players registered their first-ever points as a Bulldog -- including current UMD players Ashton Bell (1a), Rogge (1a).
ST. LAWRENCE: As a program, UMD hasn't faced the Saints since 2007, but the history between between them, especially in the NCAA postseason, is extensive.
The Bulldogs have a 9-3-0 all-time advantage, but the two sides clashed three times in the NCAA tournament two decades ago, including in the first-ever NCAA title game, a 4-2 win for UMD in Minneapolis, Minn. on March 25, 2001, in what doubles as the Bulldogs first ever national title. The two programs met in the NCAA quarterfinals in both 2005 (March 18, 2005, a 3-2 overtime win for the Saints in Wessman Arena in Superior, Wisc.) and then again on on March 18, 2006 in Canton, NY, a 1-0 win for SLU.
The Bulldogs have played in a total of 61 games against teams in the Saints conference -- the ECAC -- and own a 38-19-4 all-time record against the league. UMD last faced an ECAC opponent in the 2021 NCAA quarterfinals -- the Bulldogs defeated Colgate 1-0 in overtime on March 15, 2021 to advance to the NCAA Frozen Four.
LAST TIME OUT: After three weeks off, UMD proved it was more than ready to return to the ice last weekend, sweeping Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn. by scores of 9-0 and 4-1.
On last Friday afternoon, Bulldogs offensively unloaded on BSU, scoring five goals in the first period alone en route to a 9-0 thrashing of the Beavers. Senior forward Elizabeth Giguere led all scorers in the contest, hitting a milestone of her own -- 250 career points -- midway through the third period. In all, 12 UMD players notched at least a point, while five players had at least two points. Senior goaltender Emma Soderberg earned her third shutout of the season, making 20 stops.
UMD ran its current winning streak to four games Saturday afternoon, delivering a decisive 4-1 win against the Beavers. Sophomore Clara Van Wieren and senior forward Anneke Linser led all scorers with two points each on two assists. Four different players scored for the Bulldogs, including senior Naomi Rogge, who netted a power play goal for her third goal in as many games. Soderberg had 23 stops in her sixth win of the season -- and fourth in a row.
NOTES FROM THE BEMIDJI STATE SERIES: UMD is now 81-22-7 all-time against BSU after its second WCHA series sweep in a row.
--The Bulldogs went 3-of-4 on their power play in the series -- a whopping 75% conversion rate.
--Élizabeth Giguère's five assists Friday night was the most points by a Bulldog since Jan. 25, 2013, when Brigette Lacquette had three goals and two assists against Ohio State University.
--UMD's nine goals last Friday was the most goals and margin of victory by a Bulldog squad since they put up 12 against Minnesota State University, Mankato on Jan. 24, 2015.
HIGHLY OFFENSIVE BULLDOGS: UMD has been on an offensive tear, having now compiled 27 goals in its last five games alone, a 5.40 clip per game. Overall, the Bulldogs have scored four or more goals in six of their 10 games, and are averaging 4.20 goals per game so far this season.
LEAGUE LEADERS: Gabbie Hughes leads the WCHA with a 1.90 points per game average in league play, and right behind Hughes is Elizabeth Giguere, who checks in 1.80 points per game clip. Hughes ranks fourth nationally in points per game while Giguère holds down the sixth slot. Giguère also sits tied for fourth in the WCHA with 13 assists -- all four players ahead of her have skated in four more games, while Hughes is in sixth with 12 helpers. Hughes and Giguère are fifth and sixth in total WCHA points at 19 (Hughes) and 18 (Giguère), and again, the four players ahead of them have played in four more games.
Senior winger Naomi Rogge is tied for third in the WCHA with three power play goals
POWERED PLAY: UMD's power play conversion rate is 37.5 -- the second-highest power play in the NCAA. The Bulldogs have gone 9-of-24 through their first eight games.
Five players have logged power play goals, including Naomi Rogge, with a team-high three and Gabbie Hughes, who has recorded two.
The Bulldogs have already equaled their power play goal total of the entire 2020-21 season - four goals (19 games).
SPREADING THE WEALTH: While UMD's top line of of Gabbie Hughes, Anna Klein and Élizabeth Giguère shouldered much of the Bulldogs early season scoring, UMD is getting offense up and down its lines over its last four games.
Clara Van Wieren has emerged with eight points over the past four outings on an impressive four goals and four assists -- a career-high scoring spree for the sophomore forward. Junior forward Mannon McMahon is also on a four-game scoring streak, having registered a goal and three assists over that span. Senior forward Naomi Rogge --who leads the Bulldogs with three power play goals -- has scored three goals in her last three games for her own three games streak. And against BSU, UMD got a goal and four assists from senior winger Anneke Linser, as well as two goals from McKenzie Hewett.
GIGUERE REACHES ANOTHER NCAA MILESTONE: Senior forward Élizabeth Giguère became the tenth player in NCAA history* to reach the 250 career points last Friday against Bemidji State. Giguère entered the game needing four points, and ended up dishing off five assists to bring her career grand total to 251 points so far. Giguère has netted five goals and added 13 assists in her first 10 games with the Bulldogs.
(*Note: NCAA women's hockey officially began in the 2000-01 season. Former UMD All-American Jenny Potter accured 256 points in just 102 career games between 1999-2003, but is not credited for the 1999-00 season in the NCAA record books).
Giguère had already cemented her name into another record book on Oct. 2, scoring the 100th goal of her storied collegiate career. Giguère's goal came at 14:56 of the third period, and puts her as only the 24th NCAA Division I women's hockey player to have scored 100 or more goals.
KLEIN CLOSES IN ON 100 CAREER POINTS: Senior winger Anna Klein is closing in on 100 career points, and will enter the weekend at 93 on 47 goals and 46 assists in 135 career contests.
Klein -- who would become the 22nd player in program history to hit the mark, would be the second player on the team to reach it as a Bulldog -- Klein's linemate Gabbie Hughes reached the milestone on Jan. 21, 2021.
