North Dakota came into the DECC with the obvious goal of "out physicalling" UMD and in the first period they did that well and had a 1-0 lead in the locker room on a goal by Mary Loken. UMD came out of the locker room skating MUCH better, with Emmanuelle Blais scoring the first of her hat trick only 24 seconds into the period. The improved skating led to Sioux penalties, and the UMD power play took advantage with Katie Wilson and Blais each scoring powerplay goals in the period. Blais finished her hat trick on another powerplay goal midway through the third period to cap the UMD scoring and victory at 4-1. Jamie Rasmussen and Laura Fridfinnson each had three assists and Jenny Harss stopped 25 of 26 shots she faced for the win. North Dakota's Stephanie Ney, who shut out UMD 4-0 at the DECC last season, stopped 42 of 46 UMD shots in the loss.
North Dakota again scored first (goal by Janet Babchishin,) in game 2 on Saturday, but UMD answered with first period goals by Emmanuelle Blais and Jaime Rasmussen (on the powerplay) to take a lead that they never gave up. Saara Tuominen (also on the powerplay) scored the only other goal of the game, in the second period to give UMD the final 3-1 score. Blais, Tuominen, and Rasmussen each had an assist as well, as did Laura Fridfinnson and Sarah Murray. Goaltender Jenny Harss played well again, stopping 22 of 23 shots she faced.
Game 1 Photos
UMD Women's Hockey Index
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