Raty ties shutout record as Gophers finish season perfect

The Gopher women’s hockey team finished the season with a perfect 34-0-0 record Saturday by defeating St. Cloud State 3-0 at the National Hockey Center.

Netminder Noora Raty also recorded her 39th career shutout, tying the all-time NCAA record.

Minnesota has not lost a game in 372 days after defeating the Huskies and extended their winning streak to 42 games, also a record.

While the Gophers swept the Huskies over the weekend, defeating them 2-0 on Saturday, SCSU was able to keep the Gophers scoreless in the first period of both games — a feat almost unheard of during the Gophers’ winning streak.

But a shutout of the Gophers was short-lived as Hannah Brandt scored her 28th goal of the season mid-way through the second period.

Becky Kortum and Milica McMillen would both score in the third period to put the game away for good.

Minnesota took a whooping 42 shots on goal while drawing eight power plays in the game. The Huskies only managed 19 shots on goal.

Saturday’s game was the fourth match up between the in-state rivals, but the Gophers have outscored the Huskies 16-1 in those four games. The only goal SCSU scored against Minnesota was in a 7-1 defeat back in October.

The undefeated season is the first in NCAA history, but Minnesota still has work to do as they will play in the WCHA tournament starting March 1.

Minnesota will play their remaining games as Ridder Arena as the NCAA Frozen Four will be hosted at the University of Minnesota.