UMD Shuts out U Conn

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

The No. 10 University of Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team waited patiently for its chance to strike Saturday afternoon, and that patience paid off in a big way.

Using two power play goals a mere 6:22 apart in the second period, the Bulldogs broken open a scoreless skate to propel them to a 3-0 triumph over the University of Connecticut at the Mark Edward Frietas Ice Forum.  The win lifts UMD to 1-0-1 on the young season and keeps them unbeaten all-time against the Huskies (7-0-1).

After a quiet first period by both squads, senior winger Zoe Hickel (Meghan Huertas, Catherine Daoust) netted her first goal of the season on a Bulldog power play at 4:07 of the second stanza.  UMD then stretched its lead to two goals on a blast from by senior defenseman Tea Villila, with the assist from Michelle Lowenhielm.

The Bulldogs made the contest interesting by fighting off four consecutive penalties, including three in the first 9:34 of the final period.  UMD’s penalty kill unit never broke, however, and 10 seconds after the Huskies had pulled Elaine Chuli, Lowenhielm found the back of the empty-net on a dish from Emma Stauber to ice the game at 3-0.

Kayla Black earned her tenth career shutout on a 27 save performance, while her counterpart in net for UConn, Chuli, made 32 stops on 35 Bulldog shots.  UMD went 2-of-4 with an extra skater and held the Huskies scoreless in six power play attempts.

UMD will open up AMSOIL Arena next weekend when they host the No. 2 University of Wisconsin Friday and Saturday night at 6:07 p.m.