Playing into a tie for the first time in five seasons, the No. 8 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team and the No. 4 University of Minnesota couldn't decide a winner at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn. Friday night, playing to a 1-1 overtime tie after 65 minutes of action.
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The Bulldogs, who remain unbeaten in extra time so far this season (1-0-4) were so even with the Gophers that they even each put 27 shots on goal over the game – though UMD outshot Minnesota 15-8 in the final 25 minutes of the game.
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"I loved our game," said UMD head coach Maura Crowell, whose Bulldogs are unbeaten in their last seven games. "We talked about it as a staff in the locker room and from start to finish, I thought our focus was at another level. Our execution and intensity was where we wanted it to be. And you know, if that's happening at this time of year, it's gonna be a fun few weeks up ahead."
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UMD opened up scoring 13:09 into the first period on a high blocker snipe from redshirt sophomore forward Mary Kate O'Brien. O'Brien's fifth goal of the year gave UMD a 1-0 lead, a score that would stand until midway through the second period.
Minnesota finally equalized at the 9:19 mark on a power play goal from Abbey Murphy. Murphy's goal snapped UMD's penalty kill streak at 19-straight, though the Bulldogs held the nation's No. 1 power play 1-of-4 – and under their 38.1 success rate prior to puck drop.
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UMD outshot Minnesota 10-4 in the third period and 5-4 in the overtime, but neither team could break the stalemate. The Gophers did win the mandatory Western Collegiate Hockey Association shootout, defeating the Bulldogs 2-0.
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Sophomore goaltender Hailey MacLeod showed hockey fans why she owns the nation's best saves percentage, making 26 of the 27 shots she faced, including a crucial 2-on-0 the Gophers had just moments after O'Brien's goal in the first period. Skylar Vetter had 26 saves for Minnesota, who is now 24-7-2 overall and 18-7-2 in league play.
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The Bulldogs (18-11-4, 15-10-2) will put the wraps on the 2023-24 regular season tomorrow when they face-off with the Gophers in the series finale. The puck is set to drop at 2:00 p.m.
