After falling to No. 1 Wisconsin in a shootout Friday night, the No. 2 Gophers women's hockey team came back Saturday afternoon and beat the Badgers 1-0 in another hard-fought game before an announced 2,666 fans at Ridder Arena.
"What a weekend of hockey," Gophers coach Brad Frost said. "Two great teams going at it."
Kelly Seeler scored the only goal of the game, her first of the season and her first career game-winner, off a screened shot from the point at 6 minutes, 31 seconds of the first period. She was assisted by Kelly Terry and Rachael Bona.
Then the game was put in the hands of the goalies, who were both stellar.
Badgers goalie Alex Rigsby made 41 saves, while Gophers goalie Noora Raty blocked 32 shots. It was Raty's fourth shutout of the season and the 20th of her career. She is tied for second on Minnesota's all-time list in career shutouts, one away from tying the record.
The Gophers (18-3-1, 12-3-1 WCHA) came out strong in the first period, outshooting the Badgers (19-2-1, 13-2-1) 14-4, but the game was more even after that.
It was the first shutout loss by Wisconsin since February 2010.
"You always want to come out with a win against Wisconsin," Seeler said.
