Gophers overpower No. 9 UND for women's hockey sweep

After being tested by North Dakota in the series opener, the No. 1-ranked Gophers women's hockey team dominated their border rival Saturday afternoon in the second game of their WCHA series.

Minnesota outshot No. 9 UND 51-7 and won 5-0 at Ridder Arena after going 2-for-5 on their potent power play.

North Dakota goalie Lexie Shaw stopped 46 shots, 22 in the second period, to keep the game somewhat close.

The Gophers (7-0-1, 5-0-1 WCHA) took a 2-0 lead in the opening period. Hannah Brandt scored the first of her two goals at 3:21 and Maryanne Menefee the first of her two at 18:37.

Both would later get their second goals in the third.

Minnesota had a 15-3 dominance in shots over UND (4-4, 3-3) in the first period and, amazingly, it only got worse for the visitors.

Junior defenseman Milica McMillen, who had two goals in the Gophers' 5-2 victory Friday, made it 3-0 in the second period.

Brandt's second goal — and ninth of the season — came at 1:28 of the third period on a power play.

She also had three assists for a five-point afternoon. Brandt, a junior forward, has 18 points in eight games.

Amanda Leveille got the shutout, although she didn't work too hard. She made seven saves.