UMD women to close out 2021 WCHA slate at Minnesota

This weekend the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) women’s hockey team will skate into their final Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) conference clash of 2021.

Sitting 7-5 in league play, the ninth ranked Bulldogs will look to improve that record in a rivalry road series with number three University of Minnesota. UMD is armed with the nation’s leader in points per-game, senior forward Gabbie Hughes averaging 1.93.

Coming off a split series with number two Ohio State University they’re expecting another great series visiting the Gophers.

"We believe that we can beat these teams because we’re doing it, which is different than it was a few years back where we wanted it, felt like we could, but just weren’t getting it done," UMD head coach Maura Crowell said. "Now we do it on a fairly regular basis so our expectations and our belief in ourselves is high."

On a nine game scoring streak Hughes, a Lino Lakes, Minn. native, is ready for the rematch after splitting their series with Minnesota in October.

"It’s always a fun game. It’s always back and forth, very competitive on both sides, there’s chirping happening," Hughes explained. "The game is just so intense and it’s so much fun as player so I think we’re all just looking forward to that intensity."

Puck drop is set for 7:01pm Friday and 3:31pm Saturday at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.