Minneapolis, Minn. - Powered by Kyle Rau's first career hat
trick, the No.1-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers collected the Western
Collegiate Hockey Association sweep with a 7-1 win at Mariucci Arena on
Saturday evening.
The Seawolves (3-13-4, 1-12-13 WCHA) were handed their
eighth straight loss, while the Gophers (16-3-3, 8-3-3 WCHA) extended their
unbeaten streak to eight games in the final meeting between the teams as WCHA
members.
UAA's lone tally of the evening came just 36 seconds into
the second period, cutting the Minnesota lead in half. Junior forward Matt
Bailey redirected a Kory Roy shot, while rookie Chris Williams collected the
second helper - his first collegiate point.
The Gophers used two tallies in the first and second frames,
before unloading three more in the final stanza. Rau, from Eden, Prairie,
furnished both of Minnesota's power-play tallies, one in the first and one in
the third.
Receiving his third straight start and 11th
overall was junior netminder Rob Gunderson.
A local of Lethbridge, Alberta, Gunderson (1-6-4) made 24 saves, while
Adam Wilcox made 10 and Michael Shibrowski made 2 stops.
The Seawolves return home for a WCHA series against
Minnesota State on Jan. 18-19 at the Sullivan Arena. The games are scheduled to
commence at 7:07 both evenings.
