For the fifth time this season, the No. 7/8 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team will face the No. 1 University of Minnesota this Saturday in the first semifinal game of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Final Face-Off. The Bulldogs and Gophers will hit the ice at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn. at 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon, with the winner advancing to the league's postseason championship on Sunday at Ridder.
UMD AND MINNESOTA IN WCHA POSTSEASON PLAY: If you think you've seen this before, you're right. UMD has faced Minnesota in seven WCHA tournament semifinals, and is 1-6 all-time in those meetings. The two sides last met March 9, 2019 -- with the Gophers ranked No. 1 in the country. The current senior class were freshmen, and the Bulldogs suffered a 1-4 loss in the last postseason clash. 12 of UMD's rostered players -- including 10 that will play Saturday -- skated in that semifinal loss at Ridder Arena. Gabbie Hughes had the lone UMD goal as a then freshman.
Since UMD's defeated in that last WCHA semifinal encounter, the Bulldogs are 2-2 against the Gophers at Ridder.
The last time UMD knocked down Minnesota in a semifinal? March 4, 2017 when the Bulldogs defeated the Gophers 3-2 in overtime -- the season before the current UMD senior class became Bulldogs.
All-time, the Bulldogs and Gophers have met in WCHA postseason play 12 times, with a record of 4-8, including in five WCHA tournament title games where UMD is 3-2 against Minnesota.
UMD vs Minnesota
WCHA Semifinals History
March 9, 2019 Minnesota 4, UMD 1
March 4, 2017 UMD 2, Minnesota 1 Overtime
March 7, 2014 Minnesota 4, UMD 1
March 4, 2011 Minnesota 4, UMD 2
March 3, 2007 Minnesota 3, UMD 2, Overtime
March 11, 2006 Minnesota 2, UMD 1
UMD IN THE WCHA TOURNAMENT
UMD is 45-24 in all WCHA postseason games after knocking out Minnesota State University, Mankato last weekend in the best -of-three-series. A breakdown of UMD's all-time WCHA tournament record --
WCHA Quarterfinal games -- 32-10
WCHA Semifinal games -- 8-10
WCHA Third Place games -- 2-0
WCHA Championship games -- 5-3
In all, UMD owns five WCHA playoff crowns (2010, 2008, 2003, 2001, 2000).
THE SERIES: UMD is 31-65-10 all-time now against the Gophers, but went 2-2 this season, having split both home and away series with Minnesota.
UMD scored nine goals in four games against Minnesota this season. The Bulldogs averaged 2.25 goals in those skates. Despite splitting both series, the Gophers netted 11 total goals, outscoring UMD 11-9. The Bulldogs .500 record against the Gophers was the best winning percentage for the program since it went .500 against Minnesota in 2016-17 season (3-3, including 1-1 in the postseason).
Gabbie Hughes and Élizabeth Giguère have led the Bulldogs in scoring against the Gophers this season, each putting up five points in four games. Hughes has a team-high three goals to go with two assists, while Giguere has two goals and three assists. The pair are averaging 1.25 ppg against Minnesota over those four skates. Anna Klein has averaged 1.00 ppg against the Gophers, registering a goal and three assists in those four regular season games.
In their last meeting back in mid-December, the Bulldogs split with the Gophers at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn. on Dec. 10-11. UMD delivered a 3-2 win in the first skate, while the Gophers held on for a 2-1 triumph the following day.
After a scoreless first period -- the first between the two programs in nine games dating back to Nov. 22, 2019 -- Minnesota struck first 10:09 into the second frame in game one. At 2:59 of the third period, Gabbie Hughes finally tied the game up, and Naomi Rogge gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead 1:37 later.
The Gophers equalized at 11:07, but Elizabeth Giguere tacked on another game-winning goal to lead UMD to a 3-2 win. Emma Soderberg made 29 saves in the game. The Bulldogs stifled Minnesota's power play, allowing just four shots in four attempts, including a single shot during a penalty kill that came at 15:35 and ended with just 2:25 remaining in the game.
In the second game, Minnesota scored two goals in the first period and never relinquished its lead. Freshman Gabby Krause drew the Bulldogs to within one at 2-1 at 14:38 on a rebound goal, but UMD would get no closer, settling for a series split with Minnesota. Soderberg had 33 stops for the Bulldogs in the setback.
LAST TIME OUT: UMD punched its ticket to the 2022 WCHA Final Face-Off with an overtime victory Sunday over Minnesota State to win the best-of-three series against the Mavericks 2-1.
In the first game, UMD defeated MSU 5-4. On Friday, Elizabeth Giguere and Kylie Hanley each added first period goals, helping UMD equalize the Mavericks 2-2 after the opening frame. The second period belonged to Naomi Rogge, however, who started her natural hat trick with a power play goal at 2:04 of the second period and finished it off at the 16:58 mark. When the dust settled, Rogge has pushed the Bulldogs into a 5-3 lead by the end of the second stanza. MSU scored late, but would get no closer. Jojo Chobak earned the win after entering the game in the second period and making 31 saves for the Bulldogs.
In game two Saturday, the Mavericks handed the Bulldogs a 3-1 loss, recording two power play goals to sneak past UMD. Gabbie Hughes had UMD's lone goal, but it was surrounded by power play tallies by MSU. The Bulldogs outshot the Mavericks 42-20, including 16-2 in the third period. Chobak made 17 stops for UMD in her first postseason setback.
The Bulldogs never trailed in game three Sunday, striking at 4:48 on a power play to open the first period (Anna Klein). Taylor Anderson made it a 2-0 game at 2:08 of the second period, but an MSU goal at 7:45 of second period and 2:45 of the third knotted the skate at 2-2. Into overtime both sides went, but only for 2:30. Giguère drove to the net, patiently evaded a sliding Maverick defenseman in the slot and then deked MSU goaltender and tucked the puck behind her left skate for the game-winning, postseason ticket-punching goal. Chobak had 21 saves for UMD, which outshot MSU 29-3 in the skate.
NOTES FROM THE MINNESOTA STATE/WCHA QUARTERFINAL SERIES:
UMD finishes the season 5-2 against the Mavericks. All-time, the Bulldogs are now 78-9-9 against the Mavericks, and wrapped up the regular season 3-1. The Bulldogs outscored MSU 27-18 in those seven skates after outshooting them 235-166.
--The Bulldogs and MSU both scored nine goals in the series, but UMD outshot the Mavericks a whopping 111-80.
--Jojo Chobak earned her first two postseason wins against MSU. Chobak started just two games but went 2-1 in her first playoff action, turning in 69 saves on 75 shots she faced over the series.
--Naomi Rogge's hat trick last Friday night was UMD's first hat trick since Lara Stalder rang up three goals on Jan. 20, 2017. It was also the programs first natural hat trick the since Stalder popped in three on Dec. 12, 2015.
--Elizabeth Giguere (2g,2a) and Gabbie Hughes (1g,3a) led UMD with four points in the quarterfinal series apiece, while Rogge led UMD with three goals.
--UMD's top-line comes of the series with scoring streaks still intact -- Giguere is on a five-game, six point (2g, 6a) clip, while Anna Klein has recorded two goals and 3 assists for five points in her last four skates. Hughes rounds out the scoring strings with a goal and three assists for four points in three outings against MSU.
RANK AND FILE: The Bulldogs have played, once again, one of the hardest schedules in the nation over the regular season. With 14 of UMD's games against top-10 teams -- including two non-conference top-10 skates -- the Bulldogs are 7-7 (.500).
UMD has earned series splits with all three WCHA teams currently ahead of them in the national and PairWise rankings -- Minnesota, Ohio State (twice) and Wisconsin. The Bulldogs also swept then No. 10 Harvard Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
UMD's trio of Élizabeth Giguère, Gabbie Hughes and Anna Klein have raised their games against ranked teams. In 14 games, Klein leads all Bulldog scorers with seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points (1.50 ppg). Hughes has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points (1.42 ppg), while Giguere has rung up ranked teams for nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points (1.35ppg) over those 14 elevated games.
Against top-10 teams in 2021-22
Anna Klein - 14 Games:
7g, 14a = 21 points (1.50 ppg)
Gabbie Hughes - 14 Games:
8g, 12a = 20 points (1.42ppg)
Élizabeth Giguère - 14 Games
9g, 10a = 19 points (1.35 ppg)
TRUE NET WORTH: UMD has scored the most goals in a season since 2010-11, having registered 126 goals in 35 games so far (over the 2010-11 campaign, UMD netted 132 goals over 34 games). The Bulldogs are averaging 3.60 goals a game, the most by a team over the Maura Crowell era. It also marks the 10th highest goals per game clip for UMD in its 24 season history.
HOW GOOD IS GIGUERE? Not good, GREAT. Élizabeth Giguère now has 287 career points -- which makes her the third-highest point-getter in all of NCAA Division I women's college hockey history. Giguère also ranks third all-time in assists with 168 -- just three helpers shy of overtaking second. With 26 game-winning goals, she sits sixth, and one more game-winner would move her up to third. Her 119 goals also ranks her ninth all-time in the NCAA in goals scored. Giguère has skated in a whopping 172 consecutive collegiate games, and has averaged a 1.66 points per game clip throughout her career.
FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY, UMD HAS FOUR 50 CAREER GOAL SCORERS: It seems almost impossible that it has happened only once before, but after Naomi Rogge's hat trick last week, UMD now has four players with 50 or more career goals currently rostered. The four -- Rogge (50), Anna Klein (60), Gabbie Hughes (67) and Élizabeth Giguère (119) have combined for 75 of UMD's 126 tallies so far. The only other season the Bulldogs had this kind of career firepower? 2002-03 when Jenny Potter (72), Erika Holst (100), Hanna Sikio (100) and Maria Rooth (119) -- arguably with the most firepower in not only program history but in NCAA history -- all teamed up for the Bulldogs third-consecutive NCAA title.
HIGHLY OFFENSIVE BULLDOGS: UMD has had an abundance of offense this season, having now compiled 126 goals through 35 games. Their 126 goals are the fifth most scored this season in the NCAA, and ranks them seventh nationally with a 3.60 goals per game average. It also marks the 10th highest goals per game clip for UMD in its 24 season history.
GETTING GIGGY WITH IT: Élizabeth Giguère's past collegiate career has been well documented, but the former Patty Kazmaier winner current numbers for the Bulldogs show the fifth-year senior still has it.
Giguère ranks third in the NCAA and the WCHA with 55 points (20g, 35a) in 35 games, and her 1.57 ppg average is the fourth-highest in the nation. With three game-winning goals, she also has a plus/minus rating of +32.
Giguère's 35 assists puts her in a tie for 10th for the most helpers in a single season at UMD. The forward from Quebec City, Quebec has 16 times put up two or more points in a game this season, including nine games where Giguère put up three or more points.
COMING UP HUGHES: Gabbie Hughes -- who led the NCAA in points per game for most of the season -- ranks second in the NCAA with 36 assists. Those 36 helpers is the ninth most in a UMD single-season ever. Hughes currently has 55 points (18g), which sits her in a tie for fifth in the nation in total points. With a 1.54 ppg average, Hughes ranks seventh in the NCAA and is tied for fifth with a plus/minus rating of +41. 17 times this season Hughes has rung up two or more points in game, including eight games with three or more ponts.
One category that may get overlooked is that Hughes, a center, ranks fourth in the NCAA for face-off wins among 247 players ranked -- including second in the WCHA. Hughes has 451 wins from the dot in 791 attempts (57% success rate).
Equally as impressive is Hughes' assault on the career record books at UMD. The assistant senior captain now has 163 career points (67g, 96a) in 122 games, and is now in ninth all-time in career points in program history.
Hughes also ranks eighth all-time with 96 career assists, and was the seventh-fastest player in program history to score 150 points.
POWERED PLAY: The Bulldogs rank fourth in the NCAA with a 26.1 conversion rate on 23-of-88 attempts.
GOALS GALORE: UMD has four players with 18 or more goals this season for the first time since the 2007-08 season. Élizabeth Giguère (20), Anna Klein (19), Gabbie Hughes (18) and Naomi Rogge (18) have combined for 75 goals this season. Not since Haley Irwin (23), Laura Fridfinnson (22), Elin Holmlov (20) and Iya Gavrilova (19) combined for 85 goals during UMD's 2007-08 NCAA title run season has a quad of Bulldogs scored more goals.
THAT WINNING FEELING: With 24 wins, the Bulldogs have second-most wins of the Maura Crowell era. Crowell ran up 25 wins in 2016-17.
