Gophers women's hockey shuts out St. Thomas 8-0 at Xcel Energy Center

As she took her place at the postgame media conference, Abbey Murphy squinted at the lights in the back of the room. "Geez," the Gophers forward said. "Those are really bright."

Earlier in the evening, the spotlight didn't bother her at all. Murphy earned her first career hat trick Friday on the big stage at Xcel Energy Center, leading the No. 4 Gophers to an 8-0 rout of St. Thomas. The junior scored the game's first three goals and assisted on two others, as the Gophers (3-0) kept the Tommies (4-1) in check from start to finish in the WCHA opener for both teams.

Murphy wasn't the only Gophers player to shine. Skylar Vetter pitched in with 27 saves for her 10th career shutout, while Ella Huber added two goals and Madeline Wethington had three assists.

But Murphy, a 2022 Olympian, has elevated her game in a season when the Gophers must replace top scorers lost to graduation. In the first three games, she has six goals and four assists; in the past two, the penalty-prone forward also has stayed out of the penalty box, ensuring she's on the ice to help her team.

"She's kind of taken the load more significantly than she has in the past," coach Brad Frost said. "She's the motor that makes us go.

"I think she's taking it upon herself to know she's got to be the catalyst for the group. She's done that. And it's been pretty special to watch."

Friday's victory gave the Gophers a 13-0 record against St. Thomas, now in its third season at the Division I level. Peyton Hemp, Audrey Wethington and Emma Conner also scored for the Gophers, who outshot the Tommies 38-27.

Murphy started the scoring at 10 minutes, 27 seconds, weaving through the left circle and beating goalie Calla Frank — a graduate transfer who played four seasons at Minnesota State Mankato — with a wrist shot. She got her second while killing a penalty.

St. Thomas defender Nicole Vallario collected the puck behind her net and started to carry it out, but she lost control. Murphy was there to pounce on the loose puck, hammering it past Frank with only 35 seconds remaining in the first period. That shorthanded goal was a dagger to the Tommies.

"I felt confident about our power play generating offense," St. Thomas coach Joel Johnson said. "Everything that could have gone right went wrong, all in one moment."

Before Friday, Murphy had scored two goals in a game nine times. She never had completed a hat trick, but she got her chance early in the second period.

At the three-minute mark, Madeline Wethington launched the puck toward the net. Murphy glided through the slot with perfect timing and directed it past Frank.

"It was exciting," Murphy said. "I was just focused on doing the right things first, then I just figured the third [goal] would come eventually. I really wanted it."