Gophers Women's Hockey - 2023 NCAA Championship Tournament

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The Gophers won the WCHA tournament last weekend called WCHA Final Faceoff. Way to go Gophers!

Now Minnesota women's hockey is the overall number two seed in the NCAA Championship tournament. The tournament games lead to the Frozen Four to be held in Duluth.

Good luck Gophers in your hockey "March Madness" games!

2023 Women's Frozen Four: Dates, schedule for the college hockey championship

The 2023 women's Frozen Four begins Friday, March 17, at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn. The national championship will be held Sunday, March 19.

www.ncaa.com

Minnesota has the best offense in women's college hockey.

Most Goals This Season:

Minnesota: 172
Colgate: 162
Ohio State: 161
Wisconsin: 152
Northeastern: 140
Penn State: 140
Yale: 131 (good defense team)
Quinnipiac: 125
Clarkson: 124
UMD: 123

Three Minnesota skaters rank in the top five for most goals scored this season: Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy and Grace Zumwinkle.


Top Goaltenders / Defense:

Northeastern, Gwyneth Philips
Yale, Pia Dukaric
UMD, Emma Soderberg
Colgate, Hannah Murphy
Clarkson. Michelle Pasiechnyk
Maybe Wisconsin, Cami Kronish

Minnesota's sophomore goaltender Skylar Vetter played great in the WCHA tournament. Vetter previously was named U.S. Player of the Game in the United States 2-1 overtime win over Canada in the gold-medal game, 2020 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship.

Go Gophers!

 

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Tickets to see the game Saturday afternoon are only $10. I think student tickets are only $5. During the regular season student tickets are free.

 

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Today Clarkson plays UMD in the NCAA Tournament.

#2 Minnesota on Saturday will play the winner of the Clarkson-UMD game.

Today Quinnipiac plays Penn State. The winner will face #1 Ohio State on Saturday.

Today Wisconsin plays LIU. The winner will play #3 Colgate on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, #4 Yale plays #5 Northeastern.

 

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Congratulations to Minnesota goaltender Skylar Vetter (sophomore) and the Minnesota defense for having the top performance in the tournament games around the country last weekend, according to the leading measure. Vetter had a .950 saves percentage (SVP).


Congratulations also to Minnesota's Abbey Murphy (redshirt sophomore) for Most Outstanding Player in the WCHA Final Faceoff tournament last weekend. Murphy scored two goals.


Abbey Murphy Most Outstanding Player:



An Amazing Abbey Murphy Goal Last Month:



Congratulations to Minnesota's Madeline Wethington (senior), Peyton Hemp (sophomore), Taylor Heise (5th year), Abbey Murphy, and Skylar Vetter for being named to the WCHA All-Tournament team.




Now onto the "March Madness" NCAA tournament!

 

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Clarkson's top scorer was ejected from the Clarkson-UMD game tonight for hitting from behind. Many penalties hurt Clarkson.

UMD defeated Clarkson 2-0 tonight.

Minnesota will play UMD on Saturday.

The UMD elite goaltender Emma Soderberg and defense earned a shutout. Not much offense by either team.

Minnesota swept UMD twice this season, earning a 4-0 record against UMD.


The Quinnipiac-Penn State game is currently in double overtime.

 

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Wisconsin destroyed LIU (a weak team) 9-1 tonight and advances to play #3 Colgate.


The Quinnipiac-Penn State game Is going to triple overtime.

 

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The game Saturday between Minnesota and UMD will be televised FREE on Big Ten Plus at this Link. Gametime is 2 pm.

NCAA Quarterfinal: TBD at Minnesota

NCAA Quarterfinal: TBD at Minnesota

www.bigtenplus.com

Tickets are only $10 or $5 for students.

Regular season tickets are free for students.

 

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UMD's Emma Soderberg is an elite goaltender. Now Minnesota' #1 offense in the nation will try to score again and again on Soderberg. Swarming Gopher attacks versus stalling Bulldog defense.







Quinnipiac beat Penn State last night in triple overtime.

 

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Predicting Saturday's NCAA Championship Games

Thursdays games ended as expected, though Quinnipiac's win in triple overtime surely raised anxiety levels.

Now the elite teams are in action Saturday after their Thursday byes.

Let's predict how that will look.


#1 Ohio State versus Quinnipiac at Ohio State.

Ohio State is one of the three "best team in the nation" with Minnesota and Yale. Minnesota earned the better head-to-head record against Ohio State and beat Ohio State for the WCHA tournament title, but Ohio State edged Minnesota for the WCHA regular season title. Ohio State did not play Yale in the regular season while Yale beat Minnesota 4-3.

Unlike Minnesota, or UMD for that matter, the defending champion Ohio State's ice arena looks like a high school ice rink or a large converted barn shed alternating between utility work and women's college sports. Well, maybe not that bad but surprising for sports super power university Ohio State's champion team.

Column: Saturday’s Ohio State women's ice hockey game can’t be played at OSU Ice Rink

Its time to treat the national champions appropriately.

www.landgrantholyland.com

Quinnipiac struggled Thursday to beat a Penn State team that Minnesota dispatched 5-1 this season. Quinnipiac was one of the best in the nation but not in Ohio State's champion class.

Prediction: Ohio State 5, Quinnipiac 3.


#4 Yale vs #5 Northeastern at Yale

This is the East Coast blockbuster folks wait for. It's hard to imagine either team losing.

Northeastern is riding a 21 game winning streak and earned a whopping 33 wins this season.

Yale rode the top few spots in national polls, including #1, most of the season before an ECAC tournament upset loss in OT knocked their ranking.

Elite goaltenders for both teams are finaliast for goalie of the year.

Three Finalists Named for Women’s Hockey Goalie of the Year

Hockey Commissioners Association

hockeycommissioners.com

Yale doesn't score as many goals as the other top teams but plays excellent fundamentals in all areas, maybe the best in women's hockey under the leadership of coach Mark Bolding.

Northeastern has one of the top scorers in the nation in Alina Mueller.


Prediction: Yale 3, Northeastern 2.



#3 Colgate vs Wisconsin at Colgate.

Wisconsin is the most dangerous underdog team in the tournament. Wisconsin can be outplayed and still win because they take advantage of their scoring opportunities with deadly scoring.

Colgate is an elite team, strong all around and more predictable than Wisconsin..

Colgate and Wisconsin are two of the four top scoring teams in the nation.

Beating Wisconsin would be a relief for Minnesota that better matches up against a solid team like Colgate instead of the unpredictable Wisconsin.



Prediction: Colgate 4, Wisconsin 3.


#2 Minnesota vs UMD at Minnesota.

Minnesota is the top offense team in hockey and elite.


UMD has an elite goaltender and solid defense but average scoring. The risk to Minnesota would be a hot shutout by UMD goaltender Soderberg.

Three of the top five scorers in NCAA women's hockey are Gophers: Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle and Abbey Murphy -- plus loaded with talent.

Gophers hockey is exciting to watch.

In the WCHA tournament, Minnesota defense and goaltending to an elite level too, the final piece. During the regular season that was very good, not elite.

Minnesota looks destined for the championship game while UMD last season played in the championship game, losing to Ohio State.

Minnesota's Ridder Arena was the first arena built for women's hockey, and it is a good one, just right. UMD for that matter plays in a great arena too. Thank you Northland leaders for your investments in hockey including women's/girls hockey.

Prediction: Minnesota 4, UMD 2.

 

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Taylor Heise reflects on her unconventional hockey beginnings

One of the best in the sport could have easily gone down a different path.

www.cbsnews.com

SODERBERG SELECTED TOP-3 FINALIST FOR NATIONAL GOALIE OF THE YEAR - UMD Athletics

University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey graduate senior Emma Soderberg has been named one of three finalists for the Women's Hockey Commissioners Association's

umdbulldogs.com

 

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The Quinnipiac-Penn State game Is going to triple overtime.

 

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Go Gophers!

Let's go Gophers!

Way to go Gophers!

 

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Wisconsin vs Colgate today.

 

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UMD fans are rallying in town right now.

 

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Go Gophers!

Let's go Gophers!

Way to go Gophers!

It’s tourney time. We’re ready. #GWH | Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union | By Minnesota Women's Hockey | Facebook

439 views, 56 likes, 7 loves, 7 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Minnesota Women's Hockey: It’s tourney time. We’re ready. #GWH | Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

fb.watch

 

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Free streaming of the Gophers-Bulldogs game on BIG+.

 

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Gophers leading 1-0 after two over UMD.

Wisconsin leading 2-1 over Colgate.

Controversy at Yale! Northeastern leading 1-0.

 

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#3 Colgate falls to Wisconsin 4-2.

#4 Yale gets roughed up by #5 Northeastern.

 

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Minnesota wins!

A shutout for Skylar Vetter!



Go Gophers!



Now to the Frozen Four to beat Wisconsin.

 

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Minnesota vs Wisconsin in the Frozen Four.

 

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Skylar Vetter stellar goaltending!




Abbey Murphy keeps the scoring streak going - and what a move! She has been the hottest Gophers scorer lately.


Actually lots of contributions from many players lately.

Good solid defense and scores from several players.

Minnesota plays Wisconsin next in the Frozen Four in Duluth.

Ohio State plays Northeastern.

 

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DANGER AHEAD!

Wisconsin is an unpredictable and dangerous team to play. Their scorers can be deadly at placing the puck.

Earlier this season they went into a long slump.

Last week Minnesota beat Wisconsin decisively in the WCHA tournament.

Yet those Wisconsin scorers can unexpectesly strike at any time. Wisconsin just upset #3 Colgate.

Wisconsin is the one team I did not want to play because they are unpredictable.

Their goalie at times looks elite, but not always.

Minnesota is the better team.


A big, big unpredictable game is coming up for Minnesota.

Go Gophers!

Let's go Gophers!

Way to go Gophers!

 

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Gophers are exceptional skaters! Again and again they outmaneuvered the Bulldogs.

And BLAM! they are fast and swarm attack with speed. The game against defense-strong UMD was not as fast as other games. They have jets, can maneuver, and score better than any other team.

Very fun to watch.

I think the Minnesota-Wisconsin game will be a bit more open and exciting to watch.

Still need to continue to play championship defense we are seeing from the Gophers now.

Go Gophers!

Let's go Gophers!

Way to go Gophers!

 

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NCAA Frozen Four Ice



Game Times

Ohio State vs Northeastern, 2:30 PM Friday

Minnesota vs Wisconsin, 6 PM Friday

National championship game, 3 PM Sunday


I am going to both games.

 

[Full Speed Ahead]

Thanks for posting all the updates

 

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They did a good job. There was one play where a Gopher went flying on a possible trip but overall a top job.



Looks like Badgers are organizing for the Minnesota-Wisconsin showdown.

 

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Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3:00 PM in lobby ot Athlete's Village in Dinkytown:

 

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Per Gopher Sports Official Site:

2023 WOMEN'S FROZEN FOUR SCHEDULE​

• Wednesday, March 15
  3:00 P.M. - Gopher Women's Hockey Team Sendoff -- Help us send off the Gophers to Duluth for the Frozen Four! Join us in the Athletes Village Atrium to pick up a gold pom, cheer loud and participate in a short sendoff as players walkthrough the lobby and get on their bus. Parking is not available at Athletes Village but is available on nearby city streets. Fans are encouraged to arrive between 2:30-3:00 P.M. and enter the Athletes Village main lobby off 15th Ave SE, where Gopher Athletics staff members will help direct and gather everyone.

• Friday, March 17
  2:30 P.M. - #1 Ohio State vs. #5 Northeastern

• 3:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. - 'Sota Social
  Join us at Green Mill to enjoy food, drinks and a great atmosphere with fellow Gopher fans!

• 3:45 P.M. - Red Carpet Arrivals
  Gather along the red carpets outside of the AMSOIL Arena Main Entrance (Entrance E) and cheer loud, welcoming the Gophers to the arena for their game against Wisconsin.

• 6:00 P.M. - #2 Minnesota vs. Wisconsin

• Sunday, March 19
  3:00 P.M. - Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner

- University of Minnesota Athletics

2023 WOMEN'S HOCKEY FROZEN FOUR AMSOIL ARENA | DULUTH, MINN. FRIDAY, MARCH 17 & SUNDAY, MARCH 19 PUBLIC TICKETS WATCH: LISTEN...

gophersports.com

 

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1. Ohio State, WCHA
2. Minnesota, WCHA
3. Northeastern, Hockey East
4. Wisconsin, WCHA

Friday, Minnesota plays Wisconsin in the Frozen Four NCAA Championship. Ohio State plays Northeastern.

Sunday afternoon, the winners play for the NCAA Championship.

In Duluth.


The other strong conference is ECAC. All the ECAC teams fell in the NCAA tournament.

Four WCHA Coaches Named Division I Coach of the Year Finalists

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – By advancing their teams to successful postseason play, four Western Collegiate Hockey Association head coaches have been named finalists for the 2022-23 Division I Coach of the Year award, presented by CCM and the American Hockey Coaches Association.

wcha.com

Three WCHA Teams Advance to 2023 Frozen Four

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association has three teams bound for the 2023 Frozen Four, hosted by Minnesota Duluth at AMSOIL Arena on March 17 and 19.

wcha.com

Women's Weekly Release: Northeastern Advances to Third Straight Frozen Four - Hockey East Association

Huskies Set to Face Defending Champion Ohio State in Duluth, Minnesota

hockeyeastonline.com

Trio of ECAC Teams Fall Short in NCAA Regional Finals

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — The ECAC Hockey women's season came to a close tonight as the league's three teams fell just short in the national postseason, narrowly missing out on Frozen Four berths.

ecachockey.com