The 2009-2010 opening weekend was full of upset loses and close fought victories for the members of the Women's WCHA. Defending National Champion Wisconsin fell on opening night while St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth would fall on Saturday to teams from the CHA. The Minnesota Gophers needed a goal late in the third period to down upstart Syracuse on Friday but rebounded Sunday afternoon with a 4-1 victory. Bemidji State and Ohio State were the only WCHA teams to go winless on the weekend as Bemidji was swept at Mercyhurst and Ohio State battled Boston University to a pair of ties on the road to open the season.
The Wisconsin Badgers were handed a rare opening night loss as the young Badgers were unable to find the scoreboard while the Sioux played well in front of Jorid Dagfinrud giving her a two goal advantage. The Badgers rebounded on Saturday as Pre Season Rookie of the Year Brianna Decker scored the teams first and third goals set up by Jasmine Giles to power Bucky past the Sioux in the second game of the series. The Sioux looked frusterated following the third Badger Goal alotting for five penalties in the final period and a half of the game. With plenty of Freshman still looking to get their feet under them the next time these teams meet could have a much different feeling. The Badgers travel to Bemidji next weekend as the Sioux will challenge Team USA in Warroad on Saturday Night.
Box Score 1 - 2
UW Recap 1 - 2
UND Recap 1 - 2
This years addition of the UMD Bulldogs could feature one of the lesser experienced groups in recent memory. The Bulldogs went thru the motions for most of their Friday night Victory and manged a 5-2 win on their home ice. The game was highlighted by sloppy play on both ends showing that neither team was at the top of their game. Saturday the Colonials righted their ship and handed the Bulldogs three goals in the first 25 minutes of the game. While the Bulldogs were able to answer with a goal near the end of the second period they were never able to spark their offense however they stayed out of the penalty box which took a lot of pressure off the UMD Goalies. While the upset win for RMU was certainly not what Shannon Miller had in the cards for the opening weekend it gives the Dogs something to grow on and shows that there is plenty of room for improvement as St. Cloud State rolls into town next weekend.
Box Score 1 - 2
UMD Recap 1 - 2
RMU Recap 1 - 2
The St. Cloud State Huskies had no idea what they were in for this weekend as first year Head Coach Chris MacKenzie brought his Niagara Purple Eagles into St. Cloud for a weekend series with the Huskies. Following a close game Friday that saw St. Cloud pull away with two quick third period tally's the Purple Eagles managed to cut the lead to one with less than a minute to play. On Saturday Jeff Giesen went with Tayler VanDenakker in net who gave up a goal each period while the SCSU offense managed only one goal that tied the game early in the second period. One positive in the Game for St. Cloud is they managed to stay relatively penalty free in the game taking three calls to the Purple Eagles seven. The Huskies return to the ice next weekend as they travel to Duluth to Battle the Bulldogs on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Box Score 1 - 2
SCSU Recap 1 - 2
NU Recap 1 - 2
The Minnesota Gophers showed how young they are this year in their initial game with Syracuse on Friday. Mistakes on offense and defense led to three Syracuse Goals and the gophers needed a late goal to pick up the victory. Following a Saturday off day in the middle of the series the Lady Gophers showed talent as Anne Schleper and Chelsey Jones each potted two goals to down the visiting Orange and sweep the series. Noora Raty had a strong performance in her gopher debut. The Freshman from Espoo Finland racked up 17 saves allowing just one goal in the game. The Gophers will take their show on the road next weekend at Ohio State for a Friday-Saturday series.
Box Score 1 - 2
UMN Recap 1 - 2
SU Recap 1 - 2
The Bemidji State Beavers knew they were in for a rough weekend when they scheduled NCAA runner up Mercyhurst. The Lakers easily dispatched Bemidji 6-1 on Saturday for the series sweep. The Beavers inability to score until late in the third showed that they still have a long ways to go. Alana McElhinney played well in goal but the experienced BSU Defense was run through like swiss cheese on several occasions by the forceful Laker Offense. The Beavers return to the ice next Friday when the host the Defending National Champions Wisconsin.
Box Score 1 - 2
BSU Recap 1 - 2
MC Recap 1 - 2
Ending Strong was the key to success on Ohio State's opening weekend as the Buckeyes traveled to Boston to battle Boston University. OSU tied Friday's game with a little over five minutes to play. Even though they were unable to capure a victory, not allowing a goal following the Lauren Cherewyk tally for the Terriers showed that Defense will be key. Saturday's game was more of the same for OSU as the bucks needed two late goals to salvage the tie. With Defense the key the Bucks allowed Chelsea Knapp to settle in net tallying 58 saves on the weekend. The Buckeyes will have a tough test as they open their home season next weekend with Minnesota coming to Columbus.
Box Score 1 - 2
OSU Recap 1 - 2
BU Recap 1 - 2
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