Gopher Women Sweep UMD

DULUTH, Minn. – The line of Dani Cameranesi, Kelly Pannek, and Kate Schipper combined for six points points to lead the No. 3 Golden Gopher women's hockey team to a 6-2 win on the road at Minnesota Duluth Saturday evening.

Joining Pannek and Schipper on a line for the first full game this season, Cameranesi led all players with three points on two goals and one assist. Schipper picked up assists on both of Cameranesi's goals, and Pannek added a goal of her own.

"It was a good win here on the road in our last road trip of the regular season," head coach Brad Frost said. "We're excited to be able to come out with the three points. I thought we played really solid, pretty clean for the majority of the night."

Minnesota (27-3-1, 22-3-1-0 WCHA) also received multiple points from Caitlin Reilly (1g-1a), Sydney Baldwin (2a), andMilica McMillen (2a). Meanwhile, Michela Cava scored both goals for Minnesota Duluth (12-19-1, 9-16-1-0 WCHA).

The Gophers held the Bulldogs scoreless on three power-play opportunities while going one-for-one with the man advantage. Minnesota was a perfect four-for-four on the power play in the series after going three-for-three in Friday's 7-3 win.

"Our power play was really good again, and our penalty kill was excellent and got tested quite a bit early in the game there," Frost said. "It was good to see Kessel get her first goal in two and a half years. Overall, I'm really happy with the way we played tonight and this weekend."

Pannek opened the scoring just 1:28 into the game, putting the Gophers on the board off assists from Cameranesi andSydney Baldwin.

Amanda Kessel found the back of the net to make it 2-0 with a power-play goal, her first goal since returning to the Gophers' lineup. She fired a shot from the left faceoff dot past Bulldogs netminder Kayla Black to double Minnesota's lead. However, UMD responded just 27 seconds later when Cava put the home team on the board.

The Gophers extended their lead to four with three second-period goals. Caitlin Reilly scored her fifth of the season at 12:40, tipping a shot by Sophie Skarzynski past Black. Cameranesi then scored back-to-back goals at 16:50 and 17:10 of the second period. Schipper set up both tallies as Minnesota took a 5-1 lead into the second intermission.

Anna Barlow scored her second goal as a Gopher in the third period, sealing the win for Minnesota. Cava scored again for the Bulldogs with just 10 seconds remaining when she knocked a loose puck through a scrum in front.

Amanda Leveille finished with 13 saves in her 21st win of the season. Black made 32 saves for UMD before Karissa Grapp played the final 9:39 and stopped 12 of 13 shots faced.

No. 3 Minnesota hosts No. 2 Wisconsin in a regular-season finale Border Battle series next weekend. The Gophers and Badgers face off at 7 p.m. CT Friday, Feb. 19 and 3 p.m. CT Saturday, Feb. 20. Game two of the series will air live on the Big Ten Network.

Minnesota will recognize its five seniors, Hannah Brandt, Brook Garzone, Amanda Kessel, Amanda Leveille, and Milica McMillen, as part of its senior celebration next weekend as well.