University of Minnesota Athletics
Francis Earns Player of the Week Laurels
2/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Brittany Francis was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s Offensive Player of the Week after a stellar performance against Minnesota State last weekend. It is Francis’ first career honor and the team’s 12th weekly award this season.
Francis, a senior right winger from Thunder Bay, Ont., led the scoring charge as she helped the host Golden Gophers to a two-game WCHA series sweep over the visiting Mavericks. On Friday (Jan. 29), with her team trailing 2-1, Francis set up the only power-play goal of the game when she held the first assist on teammate Emily West’s goal at 5:34 of the second period to tie the game at 2-2. Minnesota went on to win the game 4-2 over the Mavericks. Then last Saturday (Jan. 30), Francis tied a career high when she scored one goal and drew three assists, contributing on all four of the Golden Gophers’ goals in the 4-1 win over MSU. She was named the First Star of the Game. Francis scored a goal at 13:39 in the first period and proceeded to hold the first assist on each of the Gophers’ next three goals, including two power-play set ups and the game-winner. Through 28 games played this season, Francis ranks third on the Minnesota team in scoring with 25 points (8g, 17a). Of her 25 points this season, 22 have come against conference opponents.
Francis and the rest of the Golden Gophers head to No. 5 Minnesota Duluth this weekend in a pivotal conference match up. Minnesota ranks first in the conference, while second-place UMD will look to close the gap. Both games are set for a 7:07 p.m. puck drop at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC).
Minnesota and WCHA Player of the Week Honors
Offensive:
Chelsey Jones (Oct. 7 vs. Syracuse)
Sarah Erickson (Oct. 14 at Ohio State)
Sarah Erickson (Jan. 12 vs. Ohio State)
Brittany Francis (Feb. 3 vs. Minnnesota State)
Defensive:
Noora Räty (Oct. 21 vs. Minnesota Duluth)
Anne Schleper (Nov. 18 at Minnesota State)
Noora Räty (Dec. 2 vs Clarkson)
Noora Räty (Dec. 9 at Harvard)
Noora Räty (Jan. 27 vs North Dakota)
Rookie:
Noora Räty (Oct. 28 vs. St. Cloud State)
Megan Bozek (Nov. 25 vs. Bemidji State)
Megan Bozek (Dec. 16 at North Dakota)
