Mlynkova Notches Hat Trick In U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Face-Off Classic

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women's hockey team began the New Year with a 4-1 victory over Bemidji State in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Face-Off Classic. Three of those goals came from graduate player and PWHL prospect Natalie Mlynkova.

"It was a great day, to be able to play in the US Hockey Hall of Fame Classic" said Minnesota head coach Brad Frost. "We've done it before, it's always an enjoyable event. Seeing some US Olympians here, people raising awareness for the US Hockey Hall of Fame up in Eveleth, and to raise some money for Minnesota Special Hockey was really neat also. As far as the game goes, we gave up one early, but clawed our way back and really found our groove there in the third period to get the win."

Bemidji State got on the board early when Kate Johnson scored an unassisted goal 1:08 into the first period. Minnesota responded with fifth-year forward first goal of the night, assisted by , just under six minutes left in the period. The score remained a 1-1 tie heading into first intermission, with Bemidji State leading 11-9 in shots on goal.

In the second period, despite the Gophers outshooting the Beavers 14-6 and seeing two power play opportunities, both teams went scoreless.

The third period saw Minnesota's offense return to its season-long prowess. Senior forward gave Minnesota its first lead of the day with a score, assisted by and , 5:51 into the period. Then, with 6:35 left in the third, Mlynkova tallied her second goal of the day, assisted by . With under a minute remaining in the game, Mlynkova completed her first career hat trick with her third goal, assisted by Murphy, on a Bemidji State empty net.

"[Mlynkova has] been obviously a huge addition to our team, and she's somebody that plays the right way, and she loves to score, she loves to shoot the puck, and she was rewarded for that here tonight," said Frost. "Really important for her to get going, and we're looking forward to playing in the East West showcase in a couple days."

Freshman goaltender notched her tenth career victory with a save percentage of .960 after saving 24 shots. She moves to a record of 10-2-1 in net on the season.

Minnesota is back in action Friday and Saturday against Brown and Penn State in non-conference action.