University of Minnesota Athletics
Shipping Up To Boston: Frozen Four Blog
3/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The University of Minnesota women’s hockey team started its Frozen Four trek on Wednesday as the compete in their first NCAA Frozen Four since 2006 and their sixth of the program. Follow the Gophers both on and off the ice as we blog their adventure.
GAME DAY, MARCH 20, 2009 SEMIFINAL VS MERCYHURST
MERCYHURST 5, MINNESOTA 3. Gigi Marvin.
MERCYHURST 5, MINNESOTA 2. Jen Schoullis from Gigi Marvin, power-play goal.
MERCYHURST 5, MINNESOTA 1. end of second period.
MERCYHURST 4, MINNESOTA 1.
END OF THE FIRST PERIOD. Minnesota and Mercyhurst each have 10 shots on goal during the first.
MERCYHURST 3, MINNESOTA 1. Meghan Agosta at 18:46.
MERCYHURST 2, MINNESOTA 1. Bailey Bram unassisted power-play goal at 15:47.
MINNESOTA 1, MERCYHURST 1. 5-ON-3 LAKER GOAL. Valerie Chouinard power-play goal at 8:38 in the first.
FIRST PERIOD
MINNESOTA 1, MERCYHURST 0. Gigi Marvin on the power-play from Rachael Drazan. 5:29 in the first.
8:00 p.m.-Starters are introduced: Emily West, Jen Schoullis, Gigi Marvin, Melanie Gagnon, Kelly Seeler Alyssa Grogan.
6:10 p.m.-The Gophers leave for the rink and arrive at the arena.
4:00 p.m.-The Gophers eat at a local Boston University dining spot called T Anthony's located near the Agganis Arena.
12:15 p.m.-The Gophers participated in their pre-game skate and warmed up for their big game tonight.
10:00 a.m.-The Golden Gophers woke up and had a hearty breakfast before their pre-game skate.
Day Two-March 19, 2009
7:00 p.m.-The Gophers went to the championship banquet, which was also held at the Agganis Arena. During the banquet, Melanie Gagnon represented Minnesota and spoke on the challenges on being a student athlete. Also at the banquet, it was announced that Gagnon and Monique Lamoureux were named second-team All-Americans.
2:45-3:15 p.m.-The Gophers hold their first practice in the championship arena. Coach Frost pointed out to the players their bench. He also told them to take a good look at the penalty box next to our bench. "Visit it now so you won't have to tomorrow." After practice some went and sat in it, while Gigi Marvin did some on-ice impersonations of her teammates, while Kelli Blankenship imitated Marvin and what Gigi does during an entire shift. Pretty funny to say the least. The Gophers participated in their last shootout of the season and it came down to coach Frost and Dagney Willey. Neither could score on Kim Hanlon so Hanlon won her first and final shootout of her senior year.
1:45 p.m.-The Gophers leave to get on the bus and head out to Agganis Arena for their 2:45 p.m. practice.
12 p.m.-The Gopher players and staff eat out at Joe's All-American Bar and Grill, which was also located on Newbury Street. Some had pasta, but to be fair to Boston, the staff had some lobster salad and clam chowder. After visiting a chain restaurant, it was nice to experience true Boston hot spots.
10:00 a.m.-Gophers wake up and get breakfast on their own. The women on the support staff went shopping on Newbury Street where they had tons of shops and food.
Day One-March 18, 2009
11 p.m.-All the players are back in their rooms for a little rest and relaxation before a big practice day.
9:30 p.m.-Minnesota checked into their hotel for the weekend, Sheraton Boston, which is located near the Prudential Center. The Gophers got their room keys, which had the 2009 Frozen Four logo on the front and the winners of the previous NCAA winners, dating back to 2001 when the NCAA sanctioned women’s hockey as a varsity sport. With a shopping mall near the hotel and a Dunkin Donuts’ on every corner, I think I know where the players and staff will be visiting during their free time tomorrow morning.
8:30 p.m.-The Gophers then dropped off their equipment at Agganis Arena and got their first look at where they will be playing on Friday. The Gophers quickly unpacked and took a quick look around
7:00 p.m.-The Gophers dine at one of their favorite restaurants, Texas Roadhouse for dinner. The Gophers took up about five tables and ate a lot of steak, buns and of course the peanuts that they could throw on the floor!
6:00 p.m.-The Gophers got everything loaded up and met our team host for the weekend, Kirsten Durocher, daughter of Boston University women’s head coach Brian Durocher. At the Frozen Four, every team gets a host and Kirsten has already helped us out just in the short time that we’ve been here.
5:10 p.m. (ET)-The Gophers arrive safely at Logan airport and go and get their gear. Maybe a good sign, the Gophers’ baggage claim was at gate “No. 1” with a Frozen Four sign prominently displayed. We think it’s a good omen!
11:15 a.m.-The Gophers load and pack the bus and depart from Ridder en route to the airport. On the bus for Wednesday’s bus ride are the 23 players, head coach Brad Frost, assistant coach Jamie Wood, athletic trainer Amy Hamilton, equipment manager Kate Anderson, athletic communications contact Michelle Traen, senior associate athletics director Liz Eull and photographer Jerry Lee. The rest of the party will be arriving either tomorrow or Friday before the game, including assistant coach Natalie Darwitz, who had USA Hockey commitments today.
9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.-The Gophers hold their last home practice at Ridder Arena before leaving for the Frozen Four. The Gophers then shower and pack up for a long day of traveling.
