University of Minnesota Athletics
WHK: No. 1 Gophers Close Out Home Season This Weekend
2/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
- Click Here for Minnesota - MInnesota State Notes
Minnesota State Series- Final Home Series Free Admission with Star Tribune Ad, Feb. 19 - Cut out the Star Tribune ad in Thursday's (Feb. 17) sports section and receive four free general admission tickets (game played in Mariucci Arena)
Women's Day Out, Feb. 19 - All women receive 2 for 1 general admission tickets
Silent Auction, Feb. 19 - Go to the women's hockey game and bid on a variety of University of Minnesota and professional sports memorabilia items< br> Senior Day, Feb. 20 - The Gophers will honor their five seniors prior to Sunday's game
KTIS Radio Ticket Special, Feb. 20 - Ask for the KTIS women's hockey ticket special and get into the game for $4.00. Call the Minnesota ticket office at 612-624-8080 or 1-800-U-GOPHER.
Fan Appreciation Day, Feb. 20 - As a thank you to the Gopher women's hockey team, call the ticket office and ask for the "Go Gopher women's hockey ticket special" and enter the game for $4.00. Call the Minnesota ticket office at 612-624-8080 or 1-800-U-GOPHER.
Player Autographs, Feb. 20 - All members of the Gopher women's hockey team will be available following Sunday's game to sign autographs. It will be the last opportunity this year to receive autographs.
GOPHERS HOST FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT WEEKEND
The No. 1 University of Minnesota women's hockey team hosts for the second straight weekend, Saturday and Sunday against Minnesota State University, Mankato. Saturday's game will be held at Mariucci Arena, while Sunday's game is at Ridder Arena. Both games are slated for a 3:05 p.m. start. Sunday's game will be the last home game of the WCHA regular season. On Sunday, the Gophers will recognize their five seniors - Jody Horak, Brenda Reinen, Kelly Stephens, Noelle Sutton and Stacy Troumbly.
ON THE DOCKET
The defending national champions head to Duluth, Minn., next weekend to face No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth, Feb. 26-27. It is the last series in the WCHA regular season before competing in the WCHA Championships. Saturday's game is slated for a 7:05 p.m. start, while Sunday's contest begins at 3:05. Both games will be played at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC).
GOPHERS CLOSING IN ON FOURTH WCHA REGULAR SEASON TITLE
The Golden Gophers are closing in on their fourth Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular season championship. With a Minnesota-Duluth loss last Saturday to St. Cloud State, the Gophers are two points ahead of the Bulldogs. With UMD idle this weekend, the Gophers have a chance to clinch the title this weekend. The Maroon and Gold needs four points in the next four games to win the title out right.
CAREER RECORDS
With four games remaining and the regular season playoffs approaching, Natalie Darwitz is on pace to become the school's all- time leading scorer. With 220 career points, Darwitz needs 15 points to match Nadine Muzerall's school record of 235 points. Darwitz currently averages 2.93 points per game. She enters the Minnesota State series with 88 points, ranking first in the nation. Her 57 assists broke the school record of 42, set last year by her linemates Krissy Wendell and Kelly Stephens.
SENIOR SALUTE
The Golden Gophers will say goodbye to their five seniors prior to Sunday's game. Kelly Stephens has posted over 200 points for the Maroon and Gold and was a second-team All-WCHA selection as a freshman. Noelle Sutton enters the series with 27 goals and 24 assists for 51 points. Stacy Troumbly has scored two goals in her Gopher career, including a power-play goal against St. Cloud State two weeks ago. Jody Horak and Brenda Reinen have been stellar between the pipes for the Golden Gophers over the past four years. Horak became the Gophers' all-time career wins leader with a 76-13-6 record. She is currently 17-1-2 on the season. Horak enters the MSU series with a .931 percent save percentage and a 1.62 goals against average. Reinen holds a 34-3-5 record in her four years with the Maroon and Gold. She possesses a .935 save percentage and a 1.59 GAA mark. When at home, Reinen has allowed just two goals this season, coming last weekend against UND.
