University of Minnesota Athletics
Curtin, Halldorson Earn WCHA Awards
3/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Curtin leads the WCHA in points with 45 on the season. Curtin, a forward that moved to defender this season, leads the nation in defensive scoring. Curtin, a three time WCHA Player of the Week, leads the team with 34 assists. Curtin was also named as a top 10 finalist for the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.
Head Coach Laura Halldorson gained the WCHA Coach of the Year. It is the second year in a row that Halldorson was given the WCHA top honor. Last season, Halldorson and St. Cloud State's Kerry Brodt Wethington earned a co-head coach accolades.
The Gophers also had a goalie and a forward on the All-WCHA teams. Jody Horak was named to the first team, while Kelly Stephens was on the second team.
Horak leads the nation in save and winning percentage and has posted a 13-1-2 record in 16 games. Horak has four of Minnesota's six shutouts this season. Horak started in her first career game against Ohio State, Nov. 2, and did not lose a game until Feb. 16. She went 12-0-2 before recording a loss. A WCHA Rookie of the Week two times, Horak was named a US College Hockey Online Defensive Player of the Week, along with Brenda Reinen</ a>.The duo earned the award after sweeping Minnesota-Duluth, Jan. 18-19.
Kelly Stephens is second in WCHA rookie scoring with 38 points. She stands second on the team in points, first in goals scored with 20. Stephens was named a WCHA Rookie of the Week three times this season and a US College Hockey Online Offensive Player of the Week, when she posted three points against Ohio State (Nov. 2-3).
The No. 1 Gophers play for the WCHA tournament championship, starting tomorrow. Minnesota (26-3-5, 19-2-3 WCHA) will play Ohio State at 7:05 p.m. at Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minn.
