FINAL SCORE: No. 5 Minnesota 6, Vermont 1
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Mackenzie MacNeil scored just 55 seconds into the game, but the fifth-ranked Golden Gophers scored five goals in the third period to break a 1-1 tie. Minnesota went on to defeat Vermont 6-1 Saturday evening at Ridder Arena.
 
In the final non-conference game of the season, Vermont falls to 6-14-4 overall (3-9-3 Hockey East) and Minnesota moves to 17-6-2 (10-4-2 WCHA).
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
"It's disappointing that the third period got away from us but I'm really proud of the way we played this weekend," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "We gave Minnesota everything they could handle for five periods and I hope we can bring that intensity and momentum back to Hockey East play."
 
MacNeil received a pass from Sammy Kolowrat and ripped a shot from the top of the faceoff circle past Gopher goalie Alex Gulstene to give the Cats the early lead. Amanda Drobot also picked up an assist on the play.
 
The Gophers tied the game with 13:28 remaining in the first while shorthanded. Olivia Knowles took a shot immediately off a face off and her shot was deflected in front of the net before getting by Sydney Scobee for the goal.
 
The first period ended with the score tied at 1-1. The Gophers held a 12-5 advantage in shots, with Scobee making 11 saves.
 
In a fast-paced, back-and-forth second period, neither team found the back of the net despite great chances at both ends of the ice. Scobee and Gulstene both made multiple stops on high quality scoring chances, including a pair of 2-on-1 chances for the Gophers while shorthanded.
 
Scobee tallied 25 saves through the first two periods with Gulstene making 11 saves.
 
Minnesota stormed out of the gates to start the third period, scoring three goals in the first seven minutes to take a 4-1 lead over the Catamounts.  
 
The Gophers went on to take the game 6-1 over the Catamounts to earn a weekend split. Scobee made 37 saves in the loss.
 
Vermont travels to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts for a pair of Hockey East games with the second-ranked Eagles of Boston College. The games will air on ESPN3 in the United States and TSN GO in Canada.
 
The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2017-18 women's hockey season