The third-ranked Gophers women’s hockey team scored four first-period goals, including two on the power play from Abbey Murphy, in a 4-1 win over Bemidji State on Saturday to complete the series sweep in Bemidji, Minnesota.

The Gophers won Friday’s first game 2-1.

Minnesota (8-3-1) scored three power play goals in the first period, converting three of its four opportunities on the night. Murphy put the Gophers on the scoreboard first with the first goal of the day with the extra skater 10 minutes, 11 seconds into the first. Just 3 minutes and 24 seconds later, Natalie Mlynkova scored on the power play to make it 2-0.

Emma Kreisz scored her third of the season and the U’s only even-strength goal of the night in the 17th minute of the first period, and Murphy scored her second of the night on the power play just 1 minute, 18 seconds in later. . That made it a total of three power play goals and four first period goals overall, as Minnesota took a 4-0 lead.

They were basically able to navigate from there. Morgan Smith scored the only goal for the Beavers (1-10-1) 13 minutes, 27 seconds into the second period, but Bemidji State never got closer and put just 10 shots on goal.

The Gophers had 34 shots on goal and Kaitlin Groess had an admirable night in goal for the Beavers with 30 saves on 34 Minnesota shots. Gophers goalie Hannah Clark stopped 9 of 10 shots.

Audrey Wethington and Ella Huber each had two assists for the Gophers.

The Gophers return to action Friday when they begin a big two-game series against No. 4 Minnesota Duluth. The Gophers and Bulldogs will meet Friday for a 6 p.m. puck drop in Duluth, Minnesota.