WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Gophers end Bemidji State's season with 8-0 victory

MINNEAPOLIS – Once again, Minnesota proved too much for Bemidji State.

The top-ranked Gophers scored early, shot often and never looked back in their 8-0 rout of the Beavers Saturday night in first-round Western Collegiate Hockey Association action.

The loss eliminates the Beavers from playoff contention and ends their season with an overall record of 6-26-2. The Gophers, now 36-0-0 and riding a 44-game winning streak dating back to last season, advance to next weekend’s WCHA Final Faceoff, also in Minneapolis.

The Gophers outshot the Beavers 38-19, including 14-2 in a first period that saw goals from Minnesota’s Milica McMillen and Meghan Lorence.

In the second frame, Minnesota’s Hannah Brandt, Baylee Gillanders and Megan Bozek all scored in the first five minutes, that causing BSU head coach Steve Sertich to replace senior starter Jess Havel. Havel finished the final game of her career with 14 saves on 19 shots on goal.

Sophomore Abby Ryplanski came in to replace Havel at the 4:09 mark of the second.

She gave up two more goals in the second period. Minnesota outshot Bemidji State 14-6 in the second.

In the third period the Beavers came out with better offense and outshot the Gophers 11-10, but the Gophers still scored the game’s final goal.

Ryplanski finished the game with 16 saves on 19 Minnesota shots.

Bemidji State 0 0 0 – 0

Minnesota 2 5 1 – 8

First Period – 1, UM, McMillen (Brandt, Gillanders), 3:49; 2, UM, Lorence (Kollum), 9:48.

Second Period – 3, UM, Brandt (Bozek, Bona), 1:17; 4, UM, Gillanders (Bozek, Frischmann), 1:39; 5, UM, Bozek (Unassisted), 4:09; 6, UM, Davis (Stecklein, Brausen), 8:17; 7, UM, Garzone (Brandt), 18:06, SH.

Third Period – 8, UM, Frischmann (Jalosuo, Davis), 14:06, PP.

Shots On Goal – BSU (2-6-11-19); UM (14-14-10-38).

Goalies – BSU, Havel (19-14), Ryplanski (19-16); UM, Raty (19-19).

Penalties-Minutes – BSU, 4-8; UM, 5-10.

Power Plays – BSU 0-for-5; UM, 1-for-4.