MANKATO-The No. 4 Minnesota Gophers women's hockey team used a 4-goal first period to secure a 5-3 win and seal a WCHA series sweep on the road at Minnesota State Saturday.
The Gophers were led by Kate Schipper's 3-point effort, which included a pair of goals. Eight different players recorded at least one point for the second-straight game for Minnesota.
Along with Schipper's multi-point game, the Gophers received two assists from Sarah Potomak and one goal each from Sophie Skarzynski, Taylor Williamson, and Kelly Pannek. Sidney Peters made six saves on seven shots over the first two periods before Emma May made eight saves on 10 shots over the final 20 minutes.
Minnesota (21-5-3 overall, 17-4-3-2 WCHA) scored four goals in a 1:31 span to take a commanding lead in the opening period and added a fifth goal midway through the second period, but Minnesota State responded with three consecutive goals in the second and third periods to chip away at the Gophers' lead.
The series marked Minnesota's final road trip of the regular season. The Gophers return to Ridder Arena for the final two weeks of the season, hosting North Dakota (Feb. 10-11) and Wisconsin (Feb. 18-19).
-- gophersports.com
