University of Minnesota Athletics
WHK: Gophers Face MSU Mavericks in Mankato This Weekend
10/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
- Click Here For Complete Minnesota-Minnesota State Notes
GOPHERS ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The No. 1 University of Minnesota women's hockey team hits the road for the third time in four series, this time facing Minnesota State, Friday and Saturday night. Both games are slated for a 7:05 p.m. start at All Seasons Arena in Mankato, Minn.
SCORING THREATS
Minnesota's line of Natalie Darwitz, Kelly Stephens< /a> and Krissy Wendell have tallied 54 points in six games played. The trio hold the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 spots in Western Collegiate Hockey Association overall scoring. Darwitz leads the league in points (20) and assists (14), while Stephens leads the league in goals scored (9), followed by Wendell tied for second (8). Of the trio's 54 points, 32 have come on power-play attempts.
GOPHERS ON SPECIAL TEAMS
The Gophers possess a 45.9 power-play conversion percentage, scoring 17 goals in 37 chances. Minnesota scored eight power-play tallies against North Dakota, seven against St. Cloud State and two against Bemidji State. The Gophers have one of the most potent power plays in the country, ranking first in the nation. Minnesota holds three U.S. Olympians (Natalie Darwitz< /a>, Lyndsay Wall and Krissy Wendell), a U.S. Four Nations Cup and world championship member (Kelly Stephens) and an Under-22 Canadian Camp participate (Bobbi Ross). The Gophers also hold the 95.7 percent on the penalty kill, ranking second in the country. Minnesota has allowed two power-play goals, but have scored seven short-handed tallies on the season.
CREATING SCORING CHANCES
The Golden Gophers have outscored their opponents, 39-4 in six games played. The Maroon and Gold have scored 16 goals in the first period, 13 in the second, while tacking on 10 in the third stanza. The Gophers average 39.7 shots per game, rattling off 238 shots on goal and averaging 6.5 goals per game. Of the Gophers' 19 skaters, 16 have tallied a point, including eight in the Bemidji State series last weekend. On the defensive end, Minnesota has allowed an average of 17.3 shots a game and just four goals.
YOUNG BUT TALENTED
The Golden Gophers currently have Bobbi Ross, Andrea Nichols< /a> and Becky Wacker on the same line, which consists of two sophomores and one freshman. The trio each scored a goal in Bemidji State sweep and tallied multiple points. Nichols had a goal and two assists, while Wacker had two goals and Ross added a goal and an assist. Ross has nine on the season, followed by Nichols with five and Wacker with three. Wacker, who missed the first two games of the season, has netted three goals.
