The U.S. Select team broke loose for seven goals in the second period, six of which came in a nine-minute span, and coasted to a 10-1 exhibition win over Minnesota.
The Gophers held the U.S. team to two goals on 21 shots in the opening period, but Natalie Darwitz led a second-period charge, scoring a pair of goals, as the Nationals took a 9-0 lead into the final period.
They expanded that lead to 10-0 on an unassisted shorthanded goal by Krissy Wendell just 24 seconds into the third. Minnesota avoided the shutout with 4:17 to play, when Gwen Anderson stole the puck in the U.S. zone, skated in on goalie Ali Brewer and beat her on a wrist shot to Brewer’s stick-side.
In all, the U.S. outshot the Gophers 59-11, with Erica Killewald stopping 49 shots for Minnesota. Brewer recorded 10 saves.
The two teams will wrap up their two-game series on Saturday, beginning at 7:05 p.m., at Mariucci Arena.
