Minnesota (4-0) and Minnesota State (0-6)

Oct. 14 - (2) Minnesota 11, (RV) Minnesota State 0 
Oct. 15 - (2) Minnesota 9, (RV) Minnesota State 4

Currently ranked No. 2 in the country in the latest USCHO poll, the Golden Gophers nearly burned out the scoreboard bulbs over the weekend, netting 20 goals in a two-game sweep of Minnesota State. 

Grace Zumwinkle tallied a hat trick and an assist in game one, leading the Golden Gophers to an 11-0 victory. Abbey Murphy and Nelli Laitinen also impressed, each recording a three-point performance in the game. 

In game two, it was Josefin Bouveng’s turn to burn, as the Swedish forward recorded her first career goal en route to a hat trick in Saturday’s 9-4 win. Grace Zumwinkle continued her strong start to the season with a goal and two assists, and Abbey Murphy tallied two scores and added a helper for her second straight three-point game. 

The lone bright spot for winless Minnesota State, which received votes in the latest USCHO poll, was Alexis Paddington’s two goals in Saturday’s loss. 

Bemidji State (2-5-1) 

Oct. 14 - (1) Ohio State 4, Bemidji State 0 
Oct. 15 - (1) Ohio State 5, Bemidji State 2 

Friday’s shutout notwithstanding, the Beavers hung tough with the nation’s top-ranked team in game two. Geno Hendrickson and Kendra Fortin scored back-to-back goals midway through the second period and then early in the third to make the score 2-2 with just under 14 minutes to play in regulation. 

Unfortunately for the Beavers, the Buckeyes converted a power-play goal at the 10:32 mark of the third period, then saw 2022 WCHA Defender of the Year Sophie Jacques extend the Buckeye lead to 4-2 just 26 seconds later. Jacques added an empty-net with three seconds left for good measure. Bemidji State’s Hannah Hogenson made 45 saves in Saturday’s loss. 

The Beavers will look to build on the moral victory of hanging tough with the Buckeyes when they travel to Madison for a tilt with No. 5 Wisconsin this weekend. 

St. Cloud State (2-4) 

Oct. 14 - (5) Wisconsin 5, St. Cloud State 0
Oct. 15 - (5) Wisconsin 3, St. Cloud State 2 (OT) 

St. Cloud State was swept by Wisconsin last weekend, but the Huskies showed heart in game two, taking the fifth-ranked Badgers to overtime before falling 3-2.

The Badgers did what they do best in Friday’s game, hanging five on the board and limiting the Huskies to just 10 shots on goal in a 5-0 win. 

Saturday’s game featured an inspired performance from St. Cloud States Jenniina Nyland, who scored two goals to spot the Huskies a 2-0 lead over the Badgers late in the second period. Just before getting out of the second frame ahead by two, the Huskies surrendered a goal to Britta Curl with just three seconds left, giving the Badgers momentum heading into period three. 

Once again, the Huskies held the lead late in the period. Once again, the Badgers responded, as Casey O’Brien sent the game to overtime with the equalizer with 1:01 left in regulation. Caroline Harvey scored the game-winner in the extra session for the Badgers. 

The Huskies will now face No. 4 Minnesota in a home-and-home this weekend, with Friday’s game being played in St. Cloud and Saturday’s being played in Minneapolis. 

St. Thomas (1-3) 

Oct. 14 - St. Thomas 3, Franklin Pierce 0 
Oct. 15 - Franklin Pierce 2, St. Thomas 1 (OT) 

The Tommies hosted Franklin Pierce over the weekend, a program based in Rindge, New Hampshire, and the Tommies played ungracious hosts on Friday. Maija Almich, Molly Grundhoffer, and Anna Solheim scored in succession in the second period for the Tommies in the opening game, and that lead would hold until the final buzzer for a 3-0 St. Thomas win. 

Undeterred, Eastview High School product Mikayla Kelley drew first blood for the Ravens on Saturday, giving Franklin Pierce a 1-0 lead that would be equaled by UST’s Maddy Clough three minutes later. The game would enter overtime still tied at 1-1 before Kelley’s second of the contest lifted the Ravens to a critical road victory. Franklin Pierce goaltender Suzette Faucher starred for the Ravens on Saturday, making 56 saves on 57 shots in the win. 

Up next for the Tommies is a home-and-home this weekend with Minnesota State. Friday’s game will take place in Mankato, and Saturday’s to be held in Mendota Heights. 

Minnesota Duluth (6-0) 

The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs did not play over the weekend, cooling their heels after a pair of nailbiters against Minnesota State on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. 

The Bulldogs will travel to Columbus this weekend for a highly-anticipated series with top-ranked Ohio State.