Olivia’s Overtime Goal Wins Opener in Minnesota Cup for Gophers

The second game of the Minnesota Cup was between Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth in a non-conference Saturday afternoon match up. Just 53 seconds into the game Gabbie Hughes fed Anna Klein the puck for a tip in goal on Alex Gulstene’s backdoor. Anneke Linser had the second assist. After that play frantically moved from end to end until Lizi Norton went to the box for interference at 5:21. The Gophers managed some nice puck cycling, but could not convert on their power play. Still, they were able to keep their moment going after the fact.

Hughes had a breakaway that got foiled and immediately afterward Amy Potomak tore down the ice in the opposite direction before firing on goal. The puck bounced off goaltender Maddie Rooney, landed on Taylor Williamson’s stick, and she scored on the rebound at 11:44. Taylor Heise hit the post and Skaja had a breakaway attempt of her own, but the score remained tied going into first intermission.

Second period Minnesota continued hammering away at Rooney with Duluth getting the occasional breakaway. Eventually the Gophers’ efforts paid off when Alex Woken flew down the ice, a little right of center. Just like their previous goal Woken’s shot rebounded off Rooney onto Williamson’s stick and Williamson scored at 6:15. Heise had the second assist before nearly scoring a goal of her own from the left circle. Both teams had little flurries, which switched back and forth across the ice until Skaja took a high sticking minor at 14:37. Minnesota killed the penalty and then went on another one at 18:38 when Brown went for holding. This penalty carried into third period.

Hughes scored an unassisted power play goal 25 seconds into third period. This tied the game and launched the Bulldogs into a solid attack. Emma Yanko shot directly from the doorstep, but Gulstene gloved down the play. Then there was a pretty serious mess at Minnesota’s crease, but Gulstene kept the puck out. Grace Zumwinkle came along the right side and, after getting the puck from Nicole Schammel, fired on goal hitting the crossbar before the puck rattled around the back of the net at 8:50.

Play devolved into a lot of chaos and the puck went from end to end leaving prone bodies in its wake. Eventually a Gopher turnover put the puck back in Bulldog possession and eventually resulted in Sydney Brodt coming down the right side and re-tying the game at 14:55. Jalyn Elmes and Kailee Skinner assisted. Duluth was on fire after the goal. Hughes nearly scored from the left side and Minnesota had to use their timeout at 18:38, but Duluth couldn’t end it in regulation.

As soon as overtime started the Bulldogs just started blasting Gulstene again. However, it was Olivia Knowles’s right point shot that went into the top left corner of goal at 3:05 to end the game. Heise and Emily Oden assisted. Minnesota beat Duluth 4-3OT after being outshot 21 to 36. Minnesota plays St. Cloud State for the Minnesota Cup at 4pm CT tomorrow, while Duluth faces Minnesota State at 1pm CT.