Like Friday’s series opener, Minnesota and Minnesota State played an exciting, defensive battle that was there for either team to take at the end. But unlike the first game, there was no deciding goal as the Gophers and MSU played to a 1-1 tie at All Seasons Arena in Mankato.
The Mavericks (9-7-2, 6-6-2 WCHA), battling through a rash of injuries and the suspension of sophomore forward Noelle Needham, played a pair of defenseman up front for the second straight day.
The Gophers (12-5-1, 7-4-1 WCHA) took advantage during the opening 20 minutes, outshooting the Mavericks 10-3 in the first period. But it was Minnesota State that got on the board first.
Sophomore forward Jodi Helminen took the puck from center ice and skated down the right side boards. Escaping a pair of Gophers who attempted to pin her against the wall, Heminen held the puck and skated behind the net. Finally, Helminen fired a backhanded pass to a wide open Kristina Bunker in front of the net. Bunker easily fired the one timer past Minnesota goalie Brittony Chartier at 7:42. Shera Vis was also credited with a helper on the play.
The lead was short lived however as the Gophers broke through just eight minutes later when senior defenseman Ashley Albrecht pounded a rebound past MSU’s Brit Kehler to tie the game. Like the Mavericks goal, the score came as a result of great individual effort. UM’s Krista Johnson took an errant pass and outskated two Mavericks to the net. Kehler stopped the initial shot but the rebound sat in the crease for Albrecht to put home at 15:56. Whitney Graft, who scored last night’s only goal, was credited with the second assist.
“Johnson just worked her butt off,” Albrecht said. “All I had to do was tip it in.”
From there it was a defensive struggle, but again it was Minnesota gaining a majority of the scoring opportunities. For the game, the Gophers outshot MSU 32-15, including a 12-5 margin in the second period. Neither team had a glorious scoring chance the rest of the game, and both power play units were held without sustaining much pressure. Many Maverick forwards played extended minutes and were pleased with the point.
“I think today’s game really shows the kind of character our kids have,” said Mavericks hcoach Jeff Vizenor. “We were obviously tired there at the end, but I think system wise, this was maybe the best we have played all year.”
Both net minders had fantastic games once again. Vizenor decided to break his goalie rotation and start the sophomore Kehler for the second straight day. His confidence was rewarded by Kehler’s 32 saves on Saturday.
Minnesota countered with Brittony Chartier, a somewhat surprising move by coach Laura Halldorson, considering Friday’s netminder Kim Hanlon was coming off her third shutout of the season.
“I thought both of our goalies played well this weekend,” Halldorson said. “They are both young and both have a lot of hockey left. This was a big weekend for them and for our team as a whole.”
The series concluded play for both teams in 2005, as the Gophers leave town with three points and an edge in the WCHA standings.
“This was a big three points for us,” Halldorson said. “To come down and beat a quality team like Minnesota State on the road, it’s nice.”
Both teams will take the next three weekends off before resuming conference play. Minnesota will host Bemidji State at Ridder Arena, while Minnesota State will play a pivotal series against Ohio State in Mankato.
