Minnesota dominated all three periods of play and cruised to an easy 10-0 exhibition victory over the Toronto Jr. Aeros Friday night.
The game marked the much-anticipated debut of U.S. Olympians Krissy Wendell and Natalie Darwitz, each of whom recorded a hat trick. Wendell added two assists while Darwitz had a four-point night.
Wendell, who signed with the Gophers in November, 2000, said she was happy to finally don the Maroon and Gold.
“It was really exciting,” she said of her first game with her new team. “It was nice to have the big M on the sweater. Being a Minnesota kid it was nice to play in Minnesota again.”
The Gophers kept Toronto out of their zone and created plenty of opportunities for themselves early, scoring three goals in the games
opening three minutes, 22 seconds.
Ashley Albrecht scored on her first shift of the game at 1:06 of the opening period with Darwitz, on the power play, and Wendell following. Winny Brodt and Kelly Stephens added power play goals before the period was over and the rout was on.
Minnesota outshot the Aeros 41-9, allowing its guests just 23 total shot attempts, 14 of which came during power plays, on which they were 0-for-8. The Gophers, meanwhile converted five of seven power-play opportunities.
Even though the game was a mismatch from the outset, Minnesota head coach Laura Halldorson said it was good for her team.
“We’ve been going against each other for two weeks,” she said. “It was nice to finally get out against somebody else. I think people got a glimpse of what we?re capable of and it was a good start for us.”
The Gophers get their regular season started Oct. 12-13 with a pair of games at Findlay.
