UMD Women Beat Wisconsin 5-3

Click the blog title to view all the pictures from the series.


The UMD Bulldog women returned to the ice for the first time since December 13th, to host a weekend series with Wisconsin. They also gained back defenseman Jocelyne Larocque from Team Canada, after she was a late cut from their Olympic roster. Larocque's immediate impact came on a UMD powerplay in the first period, with her first assist of the season, on an Emmanuelle Blais goal that gave UMD a 2-1 lead after Wisconsin's Breann Frykas, and UMD's Katie Wilson each scored their team's first goals of the game. Jessica Wong and Laura Fridfinnson scored in the first 2:34 of the second period, before Wisconsin poured on the pressure, putting up 23 shots in the second period, to UMD's 3. Jenny Harss was up to the task and stopped 22 of those 23 shots to take a 4-2 lead to the locker room. Wisconsin's Carolyne Prevost scored 1:21 into the third period, then 17 minutes of scoreless hockey was broken by a great Jessica Wong individual effort chasing down a loose puck and scoring an unassisted goal to seal the game before Wisconsin could pull their goaltender, giving UMD the 5-3 final victory.

Jessica Wong

Jocelyne Larocque Returns to UMD Roster

Click the blog title to view the entire UMDBulldogs.com story on Larocque's return...

"Jocelyne just completed four months of Olympic training and is in the best shape of her life, and most likely playing her best hockey ever," said head coach Shannon Miller. "We understand why she wants to join us now, at this point in the season, rather than wait until next fall. We are very excited to have another player in our line-up, and someone who will play and contribute a great deal right away."

Finally, The Season Returns!

The UMD women's hockey team hasn't hit the DECC ice for a game since winning and tying (and losing in a shootout) to the Bemidji State Beavers on December 13th. This weekend, UMD returns to the DECC to take on the Wisconsin Badgers, Saturday at 7 pm, and Sunday at 4 pm. Wisconsin returned to their regular season play last weekend, splitting a series with North Dakota.

Website Down For A Couple Days (At Most)

My website and photos should be down no longer than Thursday as I have some server stuff changed and taken care of by the webhost Hostgator. Everything should be back to normal by sometime Thursday as they said a couple days at most.

Erin Olson Youtube Video

I'd been looking for some type of capture of this since it happened last year...



I wasn't taking pictures last season so I had no actual record of it.

UMD/Bemidji Skate To 2-2 tie

Click the blog title to view game photos

On Sunday (December 13) UMD and Bemidji skated to a 2-2 tie, and Bemidji took home the extra point via a 1-0 shootout win. UMD's Gina Dodge started the scoring by following her backhand shot with a second backhand that found it's way past Bemidji's Tomcikova into the net. Erin Cody and Erin Johnson scored second period powerplay goals for the Beavers and took a 2-1 lead into the third period.

UMD dominated the posession play in the third period, putting 18 shots on Tomcikova but only scoring once, a Mariia Posa powerplay goal that amounted to the final 2-2 score. Tomcikova stopped 44 of 46 shots, plus all three of UMD's chances in the shootout, while UMD's Jenny Harss stopped 26 of 28. Bemidji's Cody got the shootout winner to give Bemidji the extra WCHA conference point (though for overall purposes, it is an NCAA tie in the record books.)


Gina Dodge's backhand goal in the first period was her second goal of the season

Bemidji's Zuzana Tomcikova made a huge save on Katie Wilson as the third period was running out.

Beaver Erin Cody nets the shootout winner

The Bulldog women are now off on Winter break until hosting the Wisconsin Badgers January 16/17.

UMD Women Beats Bemidji 4-1

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The Bulldog women beat a much improved (over previous seasons) Beavers team 4-1 at the DECC, December 12, 2009. Tara Gray got UMD off on the right foot with a shot from the point midway through the first period, but was answered by Bemidji's leading scorer, Erin Cody, 7 minutes later. UMD had a multitude of scoring opportunities in front of the BSU goaltender Zuzana Tomcikova in the second period but couldn't get a bounce, while UMD's Jenny Harss also kept the puck out of her net. UMD put the game away in the third period, on goals by Emmanuelle Blais, Katie Wilson, and Kacy Ambroz. Laura Fridfinnson picked up two assists for UMD, while Ambroz, Blais, and Vanessa Thibault all got an assist in the game. Former Cloquet/Esko/Carlton center Sadie Lundquist and Grand Rapids/Greenway forward Emily Erickson each picked up an assist on the Beaver goal.

Tara Gray blasts a slapshot for the first goal of the game

Katie Wilson sneaks the puck under the Bemidji State goaltender

"Champ" during an intermission game

Jenny Harss Shares WCHA Defensive Player of The Week Award

Click the blog title to view the rest of the WCHA player of the week awards

WCHA.COM:

WCHA Defensive Players of the Week

Jennifer Harss, Fr., G, Minnesota Duluth

Noora Räty, Fr., G, Minnesota

University of Minnesota Duluth freshman goaltender Jennifer Harss made 73 saves on 77 shots for a .948 saves percentage in a two-game WCHA series at No. 7-ranked Wiconsin last weekend, including both shootout shots she faced on Sunday.

Harss, a native of Rieden, Germany, made her first appearance in the Kohl Center last Friday (Dec. 4), making 40 saves on 42 shots on goal in a 3-1 loss to Wisconsin (the third goal was an empty-netter with :04 seconds remaining). Harss then made 33 saves last Sunday (Dec. 6) afternoon in UMD’s 2-2 overtime tie with the host Badgers. After keeping the Bulldogs in the contest for 65 minutes, Harss came up with two shootout stops to help UMD earn two league points from the outing.

The rookie goaltender leads not only the WCHA but also the nation in minutes played (1178:18) and saves (559), and ranks 10th in the NCAA with a .927 saves percentage.

Noora Räty, the University of Minnesota’s freshman goaltender from Espoo, Finland, allowed just one goal in two road games against No. 9-ranked Harvard on Dec. 4-5. This marks her third Defensive Player of the Week honor this season (also on Oct. 21 and Dec. 2).

Over 123:35 minutes played in the series, Räty allowed one goal at the :33 mark of the third period in last Friday’s 1-0 loss to the host Crimson. Prior to that goal, Räty had held her opponents scoreless for 217:29 consecutive minutes played.

Last Saturday, she held Harvard scoreless en route to her fifth career shutout and third in two weeks. Räty kept the Gophers in the game early with 14 saves in the first, 12 in the second, 11 in the third and two in overtime for a career-best 39 stops. She had a series total of 59 saves on 60 shots for a .983 saves percentage.

Also nominated this week were: Zuzana Tomcikova, G, BSU; Alli Altmann, G, MSU; Ashley Nixon, G, SCSU; and Geena Prough, D, UW.

UMD Goaltender Jenny Harss

UMD, Wisconsin Tie, UMD Wins Shootout Point

Click the blog title to view the game box score

The Bulldogs and Badgers tied 2-2 in the second game of the 2 game series, with UMD winning the extra WCHA standings point in a shootout.

Emmanuelle Blais gave UMD a 1-0 lead with the only goal scored in the first period. Wisconsin scored two goals in the second period to take a 2-1 lead into the third period, and UMD's Jessica Wong scored the game tying goal 7:42 into the third period to finish the game scoring.

Saara Tuominen picked up an assist on both UMD goals.

The Bulldogs are home for Saturday/Sunday afternoon games against the Bemidji State Beavers next weekend.

UMD Women Drop Game At Wisconsin 3-1

Click the blog title to view the game box-score.

UMD was outshot in every period, 17-2 in the first period, 14-4 in the second, and 12-8 in the third period, a total of 43-14 for the game, and lost the first game of two in Madison, 3-1. Despite the lopsided shot stats, UMD was only down 2-1 until Wisconsin's Carolyne Prévost scored an empty net goal with 5 seconds left.

Gina Dodge former Duluth Northern Star, finally scored her first career goal after a bunch of chances this season, on a powerplay that cut a 2-0 Wisconsin lead to 2-1.

Katie Wilson WCHA Rookie of the Week Again

Click the blog title to view other players of the week for the last weekend's games

WCHA.COM: WCHA Rookie of the Week

Katie Wilson Fr., F, Minnesota Duluth

Freshman forward Katie Wilson turned in a five-point weekend – including her first collegiate three-goal hat trick – while helping No. 5-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth to a two-game sweep of Boston College in Chesnut Hill, Mass.

The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, scored the game-winning goal for UMD in last Friday (Nov. 27) afternoon’s contest – just :52 seconds into play. Wilson, who was +2 on the outing, also added an assist on Laura Fridfinnson’s third period goal in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 win.

Then last Saturday (Nov. 28), Wilson netted the first hat trick of her Minnesota Duluth career by scoring a goal in each period as the Bulldogs skated to a 5-1 win over the host Eagles. The goals, all at even-strength, opened up scoring in each stanza. With a +2 rating in last Saturday’s game as well, Wilson was a +4 in the series overall.

Currently the No. 2 rookie scorer in NCAA Div. 1 ranks, Wilson is averaging 1.11 points per game, and has 20 points (9g, 11a) in 18 games. She is UMD’s third leading scorer and ranks ninth in the WCHA in scoring with 12 points (5g, 7a) in 12 league outings.

Also nominated this week were: Mira Jalosuo, D, UM; Mary Loken, F, UND; and Brianna Decker, F, UW.

Junior Laura Fridfinnson Set To Break 100 Point Mark

With her 2 goals and 2 assists against Boston College, Junior Laura Fridfinnson now has 99 points in her career and should join teammates Emmanuelle Blais (this year) and Saara Tuominen (last year) in the 100 point club in the series at Wisconsin this Friday/Sunday in Madison.

Saara Tuominen has 127 career points

Emmanuelle Blais now has 106 points

Laura Fridfinnson at 99, should hit 100 career points vs Wisconsin

Katie Wilson Hat Trick Leads tUMD To Sweep of Boston College

Click the blog title to view the game boxscore

Katie Wilson scored in each period for her first career hat trick, while Saara Touminen and Laura Fridfinnson scored a goal each, to lead the Bulldogs to a 5-1 victory, and sweep of the series at Boston College. Wilson and Fridfinnson now have 9 goals each to lead the Bulldogs, two behind Emmanuelle Blais 11 goals.

Blais had 3 assists, while Fridfinnson and Audrey Cournoyer each picked up two. Jenny Harss stopped 24 of 25 shots she faced, and has a .924 saves % with 2.28 GAA after the weekend.

UMD has outscored opponents 58-40 and on the season, while Wilson, Fridfinnson and Blais all averaging better than a point (goal or assist) per game.

The UMD women head to Madison for a series with the Badgers next weekend.

UMD's Katie Wilson (from Mankato series)

UMD Women Shut Out Boston College 3-0

Check out the box score by clicking the blog title..

The Bulldogs scored one goal in each period, with Katie Wilson scored the game winning goal, 52 seconds into the game to jump start the 'Dogs on the road at Boston College. Audrey Cournoyer scored in the second period, and Laura Fridfinnson returned from her shoulder injury to score in the third period.

Jenny Harss stopped all 22 shots she saw for her third shutout of the season (and career.)

UMD Answers Mankato, Splits Series with 7-1 Sunday Win

On Sunday, UMD gave up the first goal, but went on to dominate, winning 7-1. Sarah Murray scored her first goal of the season and second of her career, answering Ida Clark's goal for the Mavericks. UMD scored three powerplay goals in 3 minutes 20 seconds in the second period to break open the game. Two Jamie Rasmussen (her 4th and 5th) goals sandwiched an Emmanualle Blais goal to give UMD a 4-1 lead barely 6 minutes into the period, and Vanessa Thibault once again found the net at 16:13 for her sixth goal of the season. Blais and Audrey Cournoyer scored unassisted, short-handed goals, 22 seconds apart in the third period to finish the scoring for the Bulldogs. Katie Wilson had three assists, while Saara Tuominen, Jessica Wong, Cournoyer, and Thibault each had an assist themselves. UMD outshot Mankato 36-26, holding the Mavericks to 3 shots in the second period.

Jamie Rasmussen blasting her powerplay goal in the 2nd period

Emmanuelle Blais gets behind the defense for a shorthanded breakaway goal

Former Cloquet (CEC) Lumberjack goaltender Paige Thunder saw third period action on Sunday for Mankato

Minnesota-State Mankato Takes First of Two

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The Mavericks' Ashley Young scored with 34.8 seconds left in the third period to finish their comeback from a 2-0 Bulldog lead to win the first game of the two game series in Duluth 3-2.

UMD's Vanessa Thibault cotinued her strong November, scoring the game opening goal with four minutes left in the first period while Jessica Wong scored her fourth goal of the season four minutes into the second period. From then on, Mankato picked up their game and started to take control and the shot clock showed it. UMD led 16-6 in first period shots, and 18-19 after two periods. Mankato outshot UMD 19-8 in the third period, though Jenny Harss held her ground in the third, until Young's game winner. Ida Clark and Kala Buganski scored the first and tying goals for Mankato.

Vanessa Thibault celebrates her goal

Mariia Posa WCHA Rookie of the Week

Click the blog title to view other WCHA Players of the Week

WCHA Rookie of the Week

Mariia Posa, Fr., D, Minnesota Duluth

University of Minnesota Duluth defenseman Mariia Posa, a freshman from Helsinki, Finland, dished out three assists last weekend in the visiting Bulldogs’ two-game sweep of WCHA opponent Ohio State.

Just one week after suiting up for Team Finland in the 2009 Four Nation’s Cup, Posa had assists in the Bulldogs’ first two goals in last Friday (Nov. 13) night’s 3-2 overtime win over the host Buckeyes. It was a career-high for the blue liner and Posa was also a +3 in the plus/minus department.

Posa then dished an assist on national teammate Saara Tuominen’s second period goal in last Saturday (Nov. 14) evening’s 5-3 triumph over Ohio State, giving the Bulldogs a four-point road series.

Through her first 12 UMD skates this season, Posa has five points (1g, 4a).

Also nominated for the award this week were: Sadie Lundquist, F, BSU; Noora Räty, G, UM; Hokey Langan, F, OSU; and Stefanie McKeough, D, UW.

UMD Beats Ohio State 5-3, Sweeps Series

Click the blog title to view the Box Score.

After both teams scored in the first period, UMD doubled up Ohio State in the second period to take the final game lead of 5-3.

Vanessa Thibault and Laura Fridfinnson each scored two and Saara Tuominen scored for the third game in a row (not counting the St. Cloud series she missed), while Emmanuelle Blais had two assists for the Bulldogs. Gina Dodge scored her first college point, with an assist, and four other players (Audrey Cournoyer, Mariia Posa, Katie Wilson, and Kacy Ambroz) also picked up an assist.

Vanessa Thibault

Laura Fridfinnson

I've been told that UMD is slated to celebrate the 10th anniversary of UMD women's hockey next weekend Saturday (6 pm) & Sunday (3 pm) against Minnesota State, Mankato.

UMD Beats Ohio State in 3-2 in Overtime!

Click the blog title to view the game box-score from Columbus.

Jamie Rasmussen scored 31 seconds into overtime to give UMD the 3-2 win in overtime. Saara Tuominen and Emmanuelle Blais scored UMD's regulation goals while Mariia Posa assisted on those goals. Blais and Katie Wilson assisted on the Rasmussen game winner, while Jessica Wong and Laura Fridfinnson picked up assists as well in the game.

UMD outshot Ohio State 36-26 and neither team scored a powerplay goal with UMD going 0-5 and Ohio State 0-4. Of UMD's 36 shots, Rasmussen had *9* of those shots so it seems like the perfect ending, for her to score the game winner.

Jamie Rasmussen

Audrey Cournoyer WCHA Rookie of the Week

From WCHA.COM, Click the blog title to view the rest of the weekly awards!

WCHA Rookie of the Week

Audrey Cournoyer, Fr., F, Minnesota Duluth

Minnesota Duluth‘s Audrey Cournoyer, a freshman from Montreal, Quebec, picked up four assists as the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs split two WCHA games at St. Cloud State last weekend.

Cournoyer had an assist on the only UMD goal in last Friday’s (Nov. 6) 5-1 loss to the host Huskies and then had a helping hand in each of the Bulldogs’ first three goals last Saturday (Nov. 7) – including teammate Laura Fridfinnson’s eventual game-winner, as UMD bounced back with a 5-0 victory over the Huskies.

Cournoyer had a +4 plus/minus rating in last Saturday’s game and a +3 overall in the series. She is UMD’s fifth leading scorer this season with eight points (2g, 6a) in her first 12 games.

Also nominated for the award this week were: Erika Wheelhouse, D, BSU; Lauren Smith, F, MSU; Ashley Furia, F, UND; Hokey Langan, F, OSU.

Cournoyer and Katie Wilson celebrate Wilson's goal, assisted by Cournoyer against St. Cloud

UMD Shouts Out St. Cloud 5-0

On Saturday, UMD reversed their fortunes and did St. Cloud one better, shutting them out 5-0 after the 5-1 loss the Huskies handed them. Over the years, the Bulldog teams have overcome a bad game and situations when everything seems to be against them to perservere and this was another instance of that. Laura Fridfinnonson, out for the third period Friday with her shoulder injury, scored the first Bulldog goal on Saturday, to give UMD a 1-0 lead during the first intermission. Vanessa Thibault scored her second career goal and second in as many games to give UMD a 2-0 lead and Katie Wilson made that 3-0 on her first of two goals with 5 minutes left in the 2nd period. The third line, of Kacy Ambroz, Justine Fisher, and Libby Guzzo worked hard the entire game and that paid off with Ambroz scoring the 4th UMD goal, her second career goal, 26 seconds before Katie Wilson finished the scoring with her second of the game. Jenny Harss stopped all 24 St. Cloud shots for her second shutout of the year and her career.

Audrey Cournoyer picked up 3 assists Saturday against St. Cloud

Katie Wilson, Cournoyer after Wilson's first goal of the night.

Kacy Ambroz as her shot scores her second career goal.

UMD Women Drop Game to St. Cloud 5-1

Click the blog title to view some game photos

The UMD women brought 17 players to St. Cloud, including three goaltenders, with Saara Tuominen and Mariia Posa in Finland for the 4 Nations Cup tournament, and lost the first game of the Friday/Saturday series 5-1 in St. Cloud. The Bulldogs were down 1-0 after 1 period, and 2-0 3 minutes into the second period, before Vanessa Thibault scored her first career goal, on a powerplay. That goal was the only scoring that UMD could put on the National Hockey Center scoreboard. The second period ended with UMD down 3-1. Laura Fridfinnson re-aggrivated her lingering shoulder injury in the second period and sat out the third. Although UMD picked up their game some from the second period, St. Cloud still got two third period goals to finish the game 5-1. UMD was outshot 37-32 for the game, with Huskies Holly Roberts' two goals and 10 shots leading the game.


Vanessa Thibault scored her first career UMD goal in the 5-1 loss

UMD Women Upset #1 Mercyhurst 4-3!

Click the blog title to view the collegehockeystats.net box score...

Behind 39 Jenny Harss saves, the Bulldogs upset the unbeaten #1 team in the country Mercyhurst, 4-3 in Erie, PA.

Saara Tuominen, Laura Fridfinnson, and Audrey Cournoyer scored in the first 9 minutes of the second to give UMD a 3-0 lead, which was cut to 3-1 when Mercyhurst's Bailey Bram scored with 21 seconds left in the period. An Emmanuelle Blais goal 5 minutes into the third period gave UMD back their 3 goal lead, but Mercyhurst's scored back to back goals to cut the lead to the final 4-3 UMD score.

Kirsti Hakala got her first assist of the season and second as a Bulldog, while Blais had two assists, and Jamie Rasmussen and Fridfinnson again assisted on a goal.

UMD heads to St. Cloud next weekend, minus Saara Tuominen and Mariia Posa, who are gone for the 4 Nations Cup tournament. Justine Fisher played defense in the Mercyhurst series, likely to step into Posa's vancancy for the St. Cloud weekend and maybe the rest of the season?

Mercyhurst Beats UMD 5-2

From collegehockeystats.net box score...Click the view the boxscore.

UMD start off well, getting a 2-0 lead on goals by Tara Gray and Laura Fridfinnson... then fell apart, giving up 5 special teams goals to Mercyhurst. Mercyhurst scored 3 powerplay goals, and 2 shorthanded goals (9 seconds apart), all unanswered to win 5-2. UMD was outshot 37-22 for the game, and only got 3 shots in the second period. UMD was also, 0 for 13 on the powerplay besides giving up the two shorthanded goals.

Between the two teams, there were 27 powerplays, and 58 minutes worth of penalties handed out.

Blais & Rasmussen WCHA Players of Week

It seems like a no-brainer really.. with 4 goals and an assist against North Dakota, Emmanuelle Blais was named WCHA offensive player of the week, and Jamie Rasmussen with1 goal and 4 assists is the defensive player of the week for her efforts against the Sioux.

UMD heads to Erie, PA to face unbeaten Mercyhurst this weekend, and after that series, Saara Tuominen and Mariia Posa head to Finland for a week for the 4 Nations Cup tournament, which means they'll miss the series in St. Cloud.

UMD Women Beat North Dakota 3-1, Sweep Series

Click the blog title to view both game's photos.

North Dakota again scored first (goal by Janet Babchishin,) in game 2 on Saturday, but UMD answered with first period goals by Emmanuelle Blais and Jaime Rasmussen (on the powerplay) to take a lead that they never gave up. Saara Tuominen (also on the powerplay) scored the only other goal of the game, in the second period to give UMD the final 3-1 score. Blais, Tuominen, and Rasmussen each had an assist as well, as did Laura Fridfinnson and Sarah Murray. Goaltender Jenny Harss played well again, stopping 22 of 23 shots she faced.

Emmanuelle Blais now has 91 points as a Bulldog, and Laura Fridfinnson has 88 points, as they both chase the 100 point mark.


Kacy Ambroz had one of her strongest games as a Bulldog.

Saara Tuominen scored her second goal of the season, hopefully that gets her back on track as the team leader.

UMD Beats North Dakota 4-1

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North Dakota came into the DECC with the obvious goal of "out physicalling" UMD and in the first period they did that well and had a 1-0 lead in the locker room on a goal by Mary Loken.

UMD came out of the locker room skating MUCH better, with Emmanuelle Blais scoring the first of her hat trick only 24 seconds into the period. The improved skating led to Sioux penalties, and the UMD power play took advantage with Katie Wilson and Blais each scoring powerplay goals in the period. Blais finished her hat trick on another powerplay goal midway through the third period to cap the UMD scoring and victory at 4-1. Jamie Rasmussen and Laura Fridfinnson each had three assists and Jenny Harss stopped 25 of 26 shots she faced for the win. North Dakota's Stephanie Ney, who shut out UMD 4-0 at the DECC last season, stopped 42 of 46 UMD shots in the loss.

Jessica Wong

Jenny Harss stopping North Dakota's Sara Dagenais point blank.

Minnesota Gophers Shut Out, Sweep UMD At Ridder

Once again, from the box score...click the blog title to view the box score from collegehockeystats.net

The UMD women put 29 shots on Gopher goaltender Noora Räty but couldn't 'light the lamp,' while the Minnesota women scored 3 goals on 37 shots against Jenny Harss to complete their sweep of the Dogs. TWO of the Gopher goals were scored short handed, one each against the first and second line power play units of UMD.

UMD returns home to face North Dakota Friday and Saturday nights. The Sioux women have lost two straight (and play Mankato Sunday) since knocking off Wisconsin in their WCHA opener.

UMD Loses 3-1 to Gophers

From the Collegehockeystats.net box score (click the blog title to go view)

The Gophers got a goal in each period to take a 3-0 lead before UMD finally got on the board at 10:51 of the third period on a goal by Emmanuelle Blais. UMD was outshot 38-23 and only managed as many as 10 shots in the third period.

Katie Gilderman, from Proctor-Hermantown-Marshall Mirage received her NCAA clearance and dressed as the backup goaltender for UMD.

UMD Women Pick Up Third Goaltender

Katie Gilderman, former Proctor-Hermantown-Marshall goaltender will be UMD's third goaltender, pending NCAA clearance, that hopefully comes before the Gopher series starts tonight so she can be at Ridder Arena as the backup to Jenny Harss. She only played in one game in 08-09 but obviously will be a better backup goaltender than other players UMD's tried who couldn't skate on the flat goaltender skate blades.

Per the Duluth News Tribune:

Gilderman, a former Proctor-Hermantown-Duluth Marshall girls goalie, played only one game last high school season following knee surgery, yet recovered to pitch in the spring softball season and during the summer.

“During softball, my knee had some swelling and I wore a brace, but it’s strong now. It’s strong enough to handle this, but I just haven’t been on the ice for a while,” said Gilderman, a bio-chemistry major, who earned college academic scholarships. “UMD is a team I watched growing up and I look at this as a huge opportunity. I was not expecting anything like this, but I’m excited about the chance.”

Katie Wilson Honored As WCHA Rookie of the Week

Click on the blog title to see all Players of the Week for this week!

Per the WCHA Release:

WCHA Rookie of the Week
Katherine Wilson Fr., F, Minnesota Duluth

Katherine Wilson scored two goals and added two assists to
help No. 6-ranked Minnesota Duluth sweep WCHA rival and
visiting St. Cloud State last weekend.

The NCAA’s leading rookie scorer, with an average of 1.50
points per game in her first four games, Wilson tallied her first goal
as a Bulldog in last Saturday’s (Oct. 11) 5-3 win over the Huskies. The
native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, had an assist on her team’s first
goal in the first period, scored the second tally of the contest at 6:52
of the opening stanza, and then picked up an assist on UMD’s third
goal in the third period.

Wilson then came back to score the game-winning score last
Sunday (Oct. 11) in the second period in Minnesota Duluth’s 2-0
triumph over St. Cloud State. The freshman Wilson is tied at
the top as the Bulldogs’ leading scorer so far this season with six
points (2g, 4a) in four games and has a four-game point-scoring
streak.

Also nominated for the award
this week were: Keirsten Visser, D,
BSU; and Lauren Smith, F, MSU.

UMD Women Shutout/Sweep St. Cloud, 2-0 Sunday

Click on the blog title to view all of the pictures!

UMD won the second game against SCSU 2-0, on a strong defensive team effort, especially in shutting down the first game star for the Huskies, Caitlin Hogan. Jenny Harss picked up the shutout stopping all 24 shots that came her way in her strongest effort in the short season. Katie Wilson scored the eventual game winner with the first goal of the game and Mariia Posa scored her first career goal.

Mariia Posa

Katie Wilson

UMD Beats St. Cloud 5-3

Click the blog title to view game photos

Despite a hat trick from Huskie Caitlin Hogan (which included a rare 5 on 3 shorthanded goal,) UMD defeated the St. Cloud State Huskies 5-3 at the DECC, Saturday October 10, 2009. Jennifer Harss stopped 20 of 23 shots for the UMD win, while Audrey Cournoyer and Katherine Wilson each scored their first collegiate goals. Laura Fridfinnson (2nd of the season), Jessica Wong (3rd), and Emmanuelle Blais (2nd) also scored for the Bulldogs.

Audrey Cournoyer scored her first UMD goal tonight vs the Huskies.

Laura Fridfinnson and two Huskies players take out Huskie goaltender Ashley Nixon

Jennifer Harss glove save late in the third period.

A Few More Freshmen Pictures

Here's a few more pictures from UMD's series split with Robert Morris University... a few of the freshmen who will contribute to the success of this year's Bulldogs.

German goaltender Jennifer Harss makes a save.

Katherine Wilson of Winnipeg, MB on the backhand.

Audrey Cournoyer from Montreal shoots from a tough angle.

Jessica Wong of Baddeck, Nova Scotia gets behind the defense

You can click a picture to see the larger version of it.

Robert Morris Beats UMD 4-1

Click the blog title to see more game pictures from the series.

UMD dropped game 2 to Robert Morris 4-1, despite outshooting the Colonials 46-23. Many of UMD's shots were from the blue line or wide on the end boards, and RMU packed it in tight on their own net the entire game, covering up for any rebounds that may have been left and not allowing UMD to get deep on net very often. Emmanuelle Blais scored her first of the season for UMD in the 2nd period, a shot that deflected off at least 2 RMU players before ending up in the net, but RMU scored in the third minute of the third period to put the game out of reach and then they went into full defensive mode.

This picture pretty much tells the story of the game.. more Robert Morris players at their own net than UMD players there to put the puck home.

Kacy Ambroz attempts to get a shot on net against RMU

UMD Beats Robert Morris University 5-2

Click the blog title to go see some game pictures....or check out UMDBULLDOGS.COM to check out UMD's recap!

UMD won it's home opener against RMU 5-2 at the DECC October 2nd


, 2009. Laura Fridfinnson had a goal (the game winner) and 3 assists, and Jessica Wong scored twice in the third period to seal the game for the Bulldogs. Jaime Rasmussen and Saara Tuominen also scored their first goals of the season and Jennifer Harss notched her first NCAA win stopping 14 of 16 shots put on her.

#47 Emmanuelle Blais eyes a pass to #9 Katherine Wilson during the first period.

Jamie Rasmussen lets a shot go!

Laura Fridfinnson goes 5-hole on the RMU goaltender!

Post game celebration.

Pos

Season Opens Tonight

Just a reminder, tonight and next Saturday nights' UMD games start at 6 pm instead of the usual 7 pm

News Tribune Article, UMD's Olympic "Losses"

Click the blog title to tread the entire article... It's a really good Kevin Pates, Season Preview type article focusing on UMD's players who've taken a season off to train full time for the upcoming Vancouver Olympics

“We know it’s going to be different, but we we’re not anticipating much of a change. We have a coach who expects hard work and excellence,” says senior defenseman Jamie Rasmussen of Garden Grove, Calif. “We have a smaller roster and we’ve been preparing to be in good shape because we’re all going to get a lot of ice time. We’ve got a lot of new players, but they’re great new players. And we have some great returning players.”

15 Days Until The Season Starts!

Being September 17th, we are 15 days from the UMD women's hockey team taking the ice! This preseason is full of questions, as we have two untested goaltenders and 9 freshmen slated to skate for the Bulldogs this year! Cloquet's Kirsti Hakala returns to the UMD roster after a year on the University of Wisconsin-Superior roster and taking last season off.

I hope to get get a bunch more posted on here before the season starts so stay tuned, it's been a busy few weeks with my website between high school and community college sports shooting but UMD hockey (both teams) always ends up a priority come game time! :)

3 Bulldogs In Pre-Season WCHA All-Star Game vs Team USA

Per the Duluth News Tribune:

Three Minnesota Duluth players have been named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Women’s All-Star team that faces the U.S. Olympic team Sept. 25 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Bulldogs selected are junior defenseman Jaime Rasmussen of Garden Grove, Calif.; senior forward Emmanuelle Blais of LaSalle, Quebec; and junior forward Laura Fridfinnson of Arborg, Manitoba. The team is coached by St. Cloud State’s Jeff Giesen.

UMD's season starts October 2nd/3rd with Robert Morris University coming to the DECC

Dogs Drop Semi-Final Game to Wisconsin

UMD lost Elin Holmlov to a checking from behind penalty in the second period, and gave up four powerplay goals to Wisconsin, to drop the NCAA Semi-Final game in Boston 5-1.

Still a great season for UMD with another Frozen Four appearance! The final appearances in UMD uniforms for seniors Johanna Ellison, Tawni Mattila, Erin Olson, Sara O'Toole, and Myriam Trepanier. Thanks seniors!

Watch UMD's Playoff Game at New Hampshire Online

UMD's playoff game with New Hampshire will be broadcast LIVE on the net at 1 pm Eastern Saturday via New Hampshire's sports website CLICK HERE!!! Just click Watch Now about 5 minutes before game time! GO DOGS!

Bulldogs to Face New Hampshire in Quarterfinals

UMD will head out east Saturday March 14th, for a 1 PM (might be Noon Central time...) rematch of the Semi-Final teams from last season, in this season's quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.

I only see two big differences from last season's semi-final,

1. Johanna Ellison be in net for UMD, with Kim Martin most likely not ready to play, having only started skating in the last week or so again. It's not a big drop-off at all, but given Kim Martin's performance against UNH in that game, stopping 41 of 43 shots, with many being HUGE saves, it could be a mental win for UNH not facing Martin.

2. UMD played at home almost the entire second half of the season last year, with only one road series from January 25th through the entire playoff run. This year they've been on the road more the second half of the season and hopefully that helps them in their longest road trip of the season.

If/When I figure out if there will be live internet coverage other than the normal radio coverage I'll post it here.

UMD To Face Wisconsin Friday

With all of the hockey games this weekend I got too busy to put up a post from each game but all should be normal now.

With UMD's first round sweep, and Johanna Ellison's TWO SHUTOUTS of North Dakota this weekend, UMD advances to the WCHA Semifinals to take on Wisconsin Friday.

I believe that UMD needs to win the WCHA tournament, presumably beating Minnesota in the final (if they beat Mankato) to attain a HOME NCAA Quarterfinal game. All three teams have been in the top 4 in the 'Pairwise' rankings, but I cannot see the NCAA giving 3 first round home games to teams from the West when the Frozen Four is being held out East in Boston. Stranger things have happened but I believe that to be the scenario required for a home ice NCAA tourney game.