University of Minnesota athletics

Minneapolis – The third-ranked Gopher Gopher Women's Hockey team (17-5-1, 11-4-1 WCHA) will take on the Bemidji State Beavers (4-20-1, 2-16-0 WCHA) at Ridder Arena on Friday at Ridder Arena , January 24 at noon CT, then at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee, Minn. On Saturday, January 25 at 11:30 am CT.

Both games will be streamed live on B1G+. Fanduel Sports Network North will air Saturday's matchup as part of its Hockey Day Minnesota broadcast.

This weekend marks the fourth and fifth matchups between Minnesota and Bemidji State this season. The Gophers have won all three games against the Beavers so far.

Field Trip Day

Friday's matchup marks the first-ever Field Trip Day at Ridder Arena. Students (PREK-8th grade), faculty/staff and counselors across the state will join the Gophers as part of a sold-out crowd.

Hockey Day Minnesota 2025

Saturday's game will be featured as part of the 19th annual Minnesota Hockey Day (HDM).

It will mark the third outdoor game in program history, taking place at Valleyfair Authoping Park in Shakopee, Minn. In the 2014 Hockey City Classic, Minnesota defeated Minnesota State in a 4-0 game at Huntington Bank Stadium. Then, on Hockey Day Minnesota 2020, the maroon and gold earned a 2-1 victory over Ohio State at Parade Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.

Tickets for Saturday's HDM events can be purchased here link.

Last timeout

The maroon and gold are coming off a sweep of Minnesota State last weekend, downing the Mavericks 8-3 on Friday at Ridder Arena, then 5-2 on Saturday in Mankato, Minn. Junior Forward Josefin Bouveng Led the Gophers with seven points (4G-3A) over the weekend, including her second career hat trick. Freshman defenseman Chloe Primerano was named WCHA Rookie of the Week on January 20 for her three-point (1G-2A) performance and plus/minus of five during the series.

Scouting the Beavers

Head coach Amber Frykland and the Bemidji State Beavers are sitting at a 4-20-1 (2-16-0 WCHA) record. Their most recent victory came in the form of an upset against Brown University at Ridder Arena on January 4, with the Beavers winning 5-4. Bemidji State is 0-3-0 against Minnesota this season, with the two programs last meeting on Jan. 1 in the US Hockey Hall of Fame's Face-Off Classic. The Gophers won the classic 4-1.

Multiple contributors

The maroon and gold have had several players made through the first half of the season. Redshirt senior Abbey Murphy leads the team with 46 points (20G-26A). Murphy has recorded at least one point in 20 of the Gophers' 25 games, including 15 multi-point games. Following Murphy is senior forward She willwho has registered 30 points (7G-23a) this season, then both fifth years ahead Natalie Mlynkova and junior forward Josefin Bouvengwho each achieved 27 points (13G-14A and 11G-16A respectively). Junior Sydney Morrow leads Minnesota defensemen with 19 points on the season (9G-10A). Additionally, Morrow has a team that has scored five power play goals this season. Following tomorrow is Junior Nelli Laitinen with 16 points (3G-13A) so far on the season.

Freshman goaltender Hannah Clark holds a 15-3-1 record on the season with a .914 save percentage and a 1.93 goals-against average. Clark was named WCHA Goalkeeper of the Week on November 18.

Milestones on the horizon

The University of Minnesota Women's Hockey program sits at an overall record of 796-181-64 and is on pace to reach the 800-win mark this season. Abbey Murphy has registered 90 career goals and will be in the century span this season. Josefin Bouveng sits at 93 career points and will try to become the fifth active Gopher to reach 100. She will has tallied 44 career goals and is on pace to reach the 50 mark this season.

WCHA Honors

Five Gophers have earned WCHA Weekly Awards during the 2024-25 season to date: Ahead: Abbey Murphy (November 18, December 9), goalkeeper Hannah Clark (November 18), defender Chloe Primerano (December 9, January 20), defender Sydney Morrow (January 6) and defender Gracie Graham (January 13).

Both Murphy and Primerano were named WCHA Players of the Month in December.

HCA Goalie of the Year Watch List

Freshman goaltender Hannah Clark Was one of 33 goaltenders nationwide named to the Hockey Commissioners Association's Goalie of the Year list.

Hockey Humanitarian Nomination

Fifth year ahead Audrey Wethington was nominated for the 2025 Hockey Humanitarian Award. Wethington is a primary candidate, seeking to become the first Gopher to receive the honor since Sidney Peters in 2018.

Gophers in the pros

Nine Gopher women's hockey alumni are rostered (including reserves) across four PWHL squads: Hannah Brandt and Emily Brown (Boston Fleet); Taylor Heise Lucy MorganKelly Panny, Lee Steckleine and Grace to the Wink's Binklea Frost); Abigail Boreen (conquering the montage); Olivia Knowles (New York Sirs).

Minnesota adds six to the 2025-26 freshman class

Head coach Brad Frost and the Golden Gopher women's hockey program announced the addition of six incoming student-athletes to the 2025-26 signing class: Defender Sydney Bailey (Rogers, Minn.), Forward Sienna d'Alessandro (Pointe-Claire, Quebec), Forward Bella Fanale (Webster, NY), goaltender Layla Hemp (Chanhassen, Minn.), forward Avery Hovland (West Fargo, ND), and forward Tereza Plosova (Šimonovice, Czech Republic).

Search for the eighth national title

Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016) and is seeking a historic eighth national title in 2024-25.