The Bulldogs have had success against other Western Collegiate Hockey Association teams this season, outscoring opponents 38-4 in the past eight games. UMD leads the conference with 16 points, followed by undefeated Wisconsin (7-0-1) with 15 points.
Bulldogs goalies Riitta Schaublin, a senior, and Kim Martin, a freshman who is the WCHA defensive player of the week, each have two shutouts.
Five Bulldogs have more than 10 points: senior Jessica Koizumi (13), freshmen Emmanuelle Blais (13) and Saara Tuominen (13), senior Noemie Marin (12) and sophomore Sara O'Toole (12), the WCHA offensive player of the week who had a six-point game last Saturday to help the Bulldogs sweep St. Cloud State. UMD won the opener 2-0 before routing the Huskies 6-0 in the second game.
The Gophers are coming off a split with unranked Ohio State. Minnesota won 4-2 in the first game before falling 2-1.
UMD ranks among the top Division I teams in penalty kill (second, 96.4 percent) and power play (fifth, 30.8 percent).
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UMD senior Michaela Lanzl, who was injured in Friday's game at St. Cloud State, is not expected to play in the series. Lanzl suffered a concussion when she went head first into the boards. She is out indefinitely. O'Toole replaced her on the second line.
