The University of Minnesota women’s hockey team was clinging to a 2-1 lead over the St. Thomas Tommies at the second intermission Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena, and Gophers coach Brad Frost had a succinct message for his players. “We had to go out and win a hockey game,” Frost said. “It was a continued reminder that every three points matters in our league, and every team can get them.” In the end, the third period and the three points belonged to the Gophers, who improved to 16-5-1 overall and 10-4-1 in the WCHA with a 5-1 win over the Tommies (5-14-2, 2-12-1). Natalie Mlynkova scored a crucial goal for the Gophers early in the third period before goals by Abbey Murphy (her 18th) and Peyton Hemp allowed the Gophers to pull away and complete the weekend sweep. “Those points are important for us and we just wanted to finish the game on the right note,” Mlynkova said. “I don’t think we could have done it any better. Very proud of us finishing strong and finding a way.” Frost said that being in a tight game through two periods worked in the Gophers’ favor. “It forced us to play the right way in the third period,” Frost said. “(Friday) we were giving up too many odd-man rushes; we were so much better today. We were making better choices, are back-checking and tracking was better. “Really, shutting down any of their rushes. And for us that’s playing the right way — staying above pucks, getting back and then transitioning the other way.” The Tommies, who dropped their 20th straight game to the Gophers, didn’t have an answer when it mattered the most. “Just not thrilled with the third,” said St. Thomas interim coach Bethany Brausen. “There is an expectation in that locker room about how we should play, and I think they are all holding themselves accountable. “And us coaches, too. So we have to reset and make sure that we keep getting better.” Frost talked after Friday’s win about how the Tommies made them earn it, and the same held true on Saturday. “Sometimes it’s hard to play against teams like St. Thomas, when they are trying to stop us in any way and defending us really well,” Mlynkova said. “Sometimes it’s hard to get the puck in the net. “So don’t make silly mistakes. We didn’t make any big mistakes and we kept doing what we’re supposed to do. And we got rewarded for it.” The Gophers jumped on the Tommies early, with Gracie Graham scoring on a rebound of a Murphy shot at 1:16 of the first period and Sydney Morrow beating Tommies goaltender Dani Strom on a shot from the right point at 2:03. The Tommies took advantage of a power play at 8:57 of the period, with Nicole Vallario beating Gophers goaltender Hannah Clark on a slap shot from the right point. The Tommies were able to kill off a major penalty late in the period after Vallario was given a game misconduct for a hit to the head. The second period was scoreless before Mylnkova beat Strom on a rebound at 2:50 of the third. The Tommies never challenged after that. “They got a quick one, and hockey is a game of ebb and flows,” Brausen said of the third period. “Sometimes things are going in your direction and sometimes they’re not. It’s really about how you respond. “I would argue that if all of a sudden we make that 3-2 in the next five minutes and have a really great pushback then it’s a different game. Even at 4-1, you close it to 4-2 then all of a sudden you’re pulling the goalie at the end of the game. “That’s one of the biggest things we talked about after the game, how we’re going to respond in tough moments.” Related Articles College Sports | Gophers men’s hockey team gets their revenge at Ohio State College Sports | Three University of Minnesota runners finish high at U.S. under-20 championships College Sports | Gophers defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman leaving for Miami College Sports | Women’s college hockey: Gophers hold on to beat St. Thomas College Sports | Gophers crater in second half of an 80-59 loss to Wisconsin