UMD women's hockey: Klein, Hughes, hit key milestones in Bulldogs 4-2 win over Minnesota State

DULUTH — Fifth-ranked Minnesota Duluth picked up its sixth win in seven games Friday via a 4-2 victory over Minnesota State in WCHA play at Amsoil Arena.

Senior forwards Anna Klein and Gabbie Hughes combined for five assists as both hit key career milestones in Friday’s victory, while also passing Olympians in the UMD record books.

Klein, a fifth-year senior wing from Edina, played in her 148th consecutive game to break a Bulldogs program record of 147, previously set by 2018 U.S. Olympic defenseman Sidney Morin between 2013-17. Klein finished with two assists, setting up goals in the first and third period.

“It’s crazy to think how many games I have been able to play,” said Klein, who will look to extended her school record by playing in her 149th straight game at 3 p.m. Saturday in the regular-season series finale against the Mavericks. “I’ve been super fortunate not getting any major injuries, knock on wood. It’s fun. I’m happy its something I’ve been able to do for so long and haven’t taken any of those games for granted.”

Hughes, a true senior from Lino Lakes, had three assists, setting up two goals in the first and another in the third. Her first assist of the afternoon was her 150th career point and 87th career assist.

She’s the seventh-fastest Bulldog to reach 150 career points, and now sits 10th all-time in the UMD record books for career assists having previously been tied at 86 assists with three-time Canadian Olympic defenseman Jocelyne Larocque in that category.

“I love getting helpers, and I love when Kleiner cellies (celebrates),” Hughes said. “Gig (linemate Elizabeth Giguere) doesn’t celly a whole lot, but she does a little fist pump and I love seeing her little fist bump. I just love seeing my linemates score and seeing other people score. Passing such an amazing hockey player like (Larocque) is really, really cool.”

The Bulldogs netted three goals in the first period to go into the first intermission ahead 3-1, with the last goal by sophomore wing Clara Van Wieren coming with just two-tenths of a second remaining on the clock. Video review was required to confirm her shot from just below the blue line beat the clock.

Senior wing Taylor Anderson got UMD on the scoreboard 5:17 into the game after weaving through traffic to get herself in position to score. Giguere — playing in her 160th consecutive NCAA game Friday after playing 137 straight at Clarkson over four seasons — tapped in a power play goal off a feed from fellow fifth-year senior wing Klein less than a minute after the Mavs tied the game at 1-1.

Bulldogs coach Maura Crowell called Van Wieren’s shot at the buzzer “a coach’s dream” as it provided the Bulldogs a nice boost going into the intermission after a first period they weren’t thrilled with.

“Energy was flat overall and we didn’t have our greatest first period,” Klein said. “To see (Van Wieren) throw that one on net and have it go in was awesome. I made us go into the break with a two-goal lead, which is always nice.

“When you get those goals, it’s exciting, but when you’re not playing the hockey you want to play, it’s not everything.”

Junior wing Kennedy Bobyck tied the game at 1-1 for Minnesota State 11:16 into the first period and senior center Brittyn Fleming pulled the Mavs back within a goal 12:27 into the second period on a rush with both sides down a skater.

Bulldogs junior defenseman Taylor Stewart put UMD back on top by two five-plus minutes into the third when her shot deflected off the shoulder of a Maverick before sneaking under the cross bar. It was just her second goal of the season.

Bulldogs sophomore goaltender Jojo Chobak finished with 27 saves on 29 shots in her third career start and first at Amsoil Arena. She and the Bulldogs had to withstand a late attack by the Mavericks after senior defenseman Lizi Norton was given a questionable major penalty for boarding with 4:31 remaining.

Minnesota State, which waited until there were only 70 seconds left to turn the major into a two-player advantage, generated just three shots on goal over the final 4:31, all of which Chobak stopped.

“Stewart’s goal there to give us a two-goal lead was awesome, just fun. Great to see her continue her scoring. We saw her get that empty-netter a couple weeks ago. That was a big goal for us,” Bulldogs coach Maura Crowell said. “Unfortunate to have that major to kill for the rest of the game there, for 4:31, but I love our team’s response to it. We were fired up by it and it showed in the way we played. We had possession of the puck quite a bit.”