Junior Nicole Schammel scored twice and added an assist as Minnesota blanked Minnesota Duluth, 5-0, to close out the 2017 portion of the schedule for both squads.
“We’ve been talking about getting to the crease and the scoring areas, and luckily, I could do that tonight, and a lot of other people did too,” Schammel said.
Minnesota (15-5-2, 10-4-2-0 WCHA) struck three times in just over four minutes late in the opening period to grab a 3-0 lead.
“I thought we came out with the momentum from yesterday, the way we wanted it to go,” UMD (9-11-1, 5-8-1-1 WCHA) coach Maura Crowell said. “You generate four shots and miss the net five times, you don’t really get at the goalie, you don’t win games with puck possession. And then they take advantage of their opportunities; credit them with some beautiful goals.”
Taylor Wente picked the top corner, blocker side, on a rush, Schammel deposited a carom off the end boards from a sharp angle, and Sophie Skarzynski also beat goalie Jessica Convery high to the blocker.
“That’s what I just happened to see,” Wente said. “We just kept throwing shots on this goalie and really tested her.”
In the second period, Schammel scored again on a power play, and then sent Grace Zumwinkle in alone for the final goal in the closing seconds before the intermission.
“Nice goal for them again, off an O-zone faceoff from us,” Crowell said. “We were a little careless with the puck, and they’re a good team, they’re opportunistic, and they’re going to take advantage of your mistakes.”
After the Bulldogs improbable rally succeeded on Friday night, Minnesota’s fifth goal squelched any hope of another late comeback.
“I practice the saucer pass a lot, and luckily, it got through,” Schammel said. “I knew that if it got onto Grace’s stick, she’d most likely score that goal.”
Sidney Peters earned the shutout with 18 saves, while Caitlin Reilly contributed two assists.
“When we defend well, generally we can score enough,” coach Brad Frost said. “We know where we’re at nationally, we know we have a lot of work to do, and money is made in the second half. We’re going to do everything we can do to get there at the end.”
UMD is focusing on the WCHA standings in 2018.
“We want to get home ice for the playoffs, and that’s our goal right now,” Crowell said.
