Oct. 22, 2004

[box score]

BEMIDJI, Minn. - Defending national champion No. 1 Minnesota (5-0-0, 5-0-0 WCHA) continued its success against the Bemidji State (1-4-0, 0-3-0 WCHA) women's hockey team with a 5-0 win Friday at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse. Junior Jill Luebke (Neenah, Wis.) turned in another strong effort between the pipes, stopping 37 of 42 Gophers shots.

The Golden Gophers compiled a 9-2 shot advantage in the opening period of play and earned their first score of the contest at the 11:23 mark, when Becky Wacker netted an unassisted short-handed goal to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Kelly Stephens lit up the scoreboard less than two minutes later with an even-strength goal, her eighth tally of the season.

UM opened up a 3-0 lead with a power-play marker from Natalie Darwitz at 3:33 of the second stanza, her fifth tally of the year. Darwitz lit the lamp once more in the final period of play with an even-strength score at the 8:30 mark. Andrea Nichols secured Minnesota's second short-handed goal of the afternoon with less than four minutes left in the game.

BSU was unable to convert on five power-play chances, while UM notched one goal on five power-play opportunities.

Overall, Minnesota compiled 42 shots to Bemidji State's eight and the visitors outshot BSU 25-2 in the third period.

Goaltender Jill Luebke has made 137 saves in four games this season, which averages out to 34.25 saves per game. In addition, Luebke has turned aside at least 34 shots in three of her four appearances thus far.

The Beavers will seek a split against the Gophers in the rubber match Saturday afternoon at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse. The puck will drop at 2:05 p.m.

Notes: Minnesota improves to 19-0-3 all-time against Bemidji State, including a 7-0-0 mark in the last seven meetings between the two teams. BSU falls to 0-5-1 all-time in WCHA home-openers.