WCHA Final Faceoff: Semifinal 2 - Minnesota @ UMD

On the strength of an Amanda Kessel hat trick the host and #2 seed Minnesota Golden Gophers downed the #3 seed UMD Bulldogs, 4-2 tonight at Ridder Arena. Kessel picked up her first goal with the Gophers trailing 1-0 midway through the first courtesy of an Audrey Cournoyer tally. The gophers took a 2-1 advantage midway into the second period when Kelly Terry lit the lamp for Minnesota. Kessel struck again less than two minutes later assisted for the second time in the game by Megan Bozek and Sarah Erickson. After a sloppy start to the third period the Gophers would take a three goal advantage shorthanded as Kessel completed her hat trick. As the game wore down and the Bulldogs pressured Brienna Gillanders would find the back of the net once more for UMD but the late charge would not prove to be enough as the game ended with the gophers moving on to the title game courtesy of a 4-2 win.