MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Merrimack College women's ice hockey team lost to No. 3 Minnesota, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the weekend series from Ridder Arena. The Gophers were able to salvage a weekend split, after losing the Merrimack on Friday night.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 1, No. 3 Minnesota 4
Records: Merrimack (2-1-0, 1-0-0 WHEA) // Minnesota. (1-1-0, 0-0-0 WCHA)
Location: Ridder Arena | Minneapolis, Minn.
How it Happened
- 1st Period: The Warriors killed off a pair of penalties midway through the period, before getting a power play of their own at the 13:32 mark. However, Merrimack only had one shot during the extra man chance. Junior captain Paige Voight (St. Michael, Minn.) had a great chance late in the period, but her first shot was blocked, before the puck was covered by Gopher goalie Alex Gulstene.
- 2nd period: Junior goalie Samantha Ridgewell (Outook, Saskatchewan) faced early pressure in the opening four minutes of action, but stopped the first three shots she faced. The Warriors had a power play opportunity at 6:54 of the period. Junior Katelyn Rae (Courtice, Ontario) had the best chance to give the away team the lead as a puck was deflected in front of the net. However, the Gophers jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Nicole Schammel scooped up a loose rebound and put it in the back of the net. Minnesota added another goal, taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play as Grace Zumwinkle picked up her second goal of the season.
- 3rd period: The Warriors would not go quietly. Junior Paige Sorensen (Plymouth, Minn.) fired a shot to the stick side of the net, just underneath the cross bar to put Merrimack on the scoreboard at 3:33 of the period. Voight and junior Emily Volpe (Whitby, Ontario) assisted on the play. The Gophers quickly responded to go up by two goals again at 5:12. They went on to add one more with 9:44 left in the period.
Inside The Numbers
- Ridgewell had her second 30+ save performance in as many games, stopping 35 shots.
- Sophomore Mikyla Grant-Mentis (Brampton, Ontario) led the team with four shots on goal.
- The Warriors split the series with the Gophers, after taking the first game on Friday night, 4-3.
- Goaltenders: L – Samantha Ridgewell (35 Saves) // W – Alex Gulstene (14 Saves)
- Power Plays: Merrimack (0-4) |Minnesota (1-4)
- SOG (MC-UM): 8-7 | 4-20 | 3-12 | 15-39
Up Next
The Warriors have a home-and-home series with Hockey East opponent, New Hampshire on Friday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 7. Friday's game is in Durham, New Hampshire with a 7 p.m. puck drop. Saturday's home opener is a 4 p.m. puck drop from Lawler Rink.
