The No. 3 Gophers women’s hockey team is set to host No. 2 Ohio State at Ridder Arena, with both teams vying for more than just points this weekend. Minnesota is poised to hit a historic achievement, needing just two victories to reach their 800th all-time win a milestone they could achieve with a sweep on Saturday during Alumni Day.
The Gophers (21-5-1) are coming off a six-game winning streak and a 3-1 victory over Bemidji State at the outdoor Hockey Day Minnesota game in Shakopee. They’ve already faced Ohio State earlier this season, tying 1-1 and losing 4-3 in October. Coach Brad Frost believes his team has grown significantly since then, though he acknowledges the defending NCAA champion Buckeyes will also be a formidable opponent.
We know who we are as a team. We’ve formed our identity, and now it’s about executing at the highest level, Frost said. This is a confident group, and they are ready for the challenge.
Audrey Wethington, a senior forward and one of 14 nominees for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, is looking forward to the challenge as she plays against one of the nation’s top teams. With her time at the Gophers winding down, Wethington is determined to finish strong.
This weekend is about facing the best of the best,Wethington said. Our team believes in each other, and that belief will be crucial as we head into these important games.
Minnesota has 45 points in WCHA play, tied with Ohio State, but still 15 points behind first-place Wisconsin. The Gophers will travel to Wisconsin after this series and finish the regular season with home games against St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth before focusing on the WCHA playoffs and NCAA tournament.
Frost is mindful that while this series may not define their season, it holds national importance, and the points are crucial for their postseason aspirations.
The game will be intense, but it won’t define our season, Frost said. But it’s No. 2 versus No. 3, and every point counts.
With the Gopher’s rich history of success under coaches like Laura Halldorson and Brad Frost, the upcoming weekend will be an opportunity to not only make history but to solidify their standing as one of the top programs in the nation.