University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Welcome Beavers for WCHA Series
10/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
| No. 1 Minnesota (7-0-1) vs. Bemidji State (4-4-0) | |
| Game 1 | Friday, Oct. 31 | 7 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 4 p.m. |
| Location | Ridder Arena | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| Tickets | MyGopherSports.com |
| Travel | Local Weather | Parking | Preferred Hotels |
| Game 1 | Game Day Live | BTN Plus Video | Free Audio | |
| Game 2 | Game Day Live | BTN Plus Video | Free Audio | |
| Official Sites | Minnesota | Bemidji State |
| Social Media | @GopherWHockey | Facebook | Instagram |
Oct. 29, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS - No. 1 Minnesota (7-0-1, 5-0-1-0 WCHA) remains at home this weekend, hosting Bemidji State (4-4-0, 0-4-0-0 WCHA) at 7 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. Both of this weekend's games will be streamed online through BTN Plus (subscription required) with free audio and live stats at GopherSports.com.
The Gophers invite all fans to wear gold to Saturday's game for a "Gold Out" at Ridder Arena. In addition, Minnesota will host its annual Skate with the Gophers event following the game.
About the Series: Minnesota vs. Bemidji State
The Gophers are 58-4-6 all-time against Bemidji State, including a 4-0-0 mark against the Beavers last season. Most recently, Minnesota defeated BSU, 5-3, at Ridder Arena on Feb. 8, 2014, led by Hannah Brandt (2g, 1a) and Milica McMillen (3a). Seven different Gophers scored goals in the first game of the series as Minnesota skated to a 10-0 win on Feb. 7, 2014.
The Gophers also earned 4-0 and 4-3 wins on the road in Bemidji, Minn., in Oct. 2013, to sweep all four games against the Beavers last year. Minnesota has won the last 10 meetings with Bemidji State, dating back to Dec. 7, 2012.
Scouting the Opponent: Bemidji State
Under the direction of first-year head coach James Scanlan, Bemidji State (4-4-0, 0-4-0-0 WCHA) started the season with four-straight non-conference wins but is still looking for its first WCHA win of the year. BSU swept Robert Morris on the road before topping RPI and Vermont at home but dropped WCHA series at Ohio State and to Wisconsin over its last four games.
Three junior forwards are tied for the team lead with five points: Megan Lushanko (2g-3a), Kristin Huber (2g-3a) and Kaitlyn Tougas (1g-4a). Fellow junior forward Stephanie Anderson leads the way with three goals. Sophomore Brittni Mowat (2-2-0) and freshman Erin Deters (2-2-0) have each played four games in net for the Beavers, splitting each weekend so far. Deters leads the way, ranking third in the WCHA with both a .948 save percentage and a 1.51 goals against average. Mowat owns a .917 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average.
Bemidji State's offense ranks third in the WCHA and 10th in the nation, averaging 2.62 goals per game. Defensively, the Beavers also are third in the conference, and tied for eighth in the NCAA, with a 1.88 goals against average. BSU's power play and penalty kill rank fourth in the WCHA, and the team's combined special teams lands third in the league at 35-for-62 (.565).
Gopher Quick Hits
• Amanda Leveille made seven saves to record her 18th career shutout on Oct. 25.
• Dani Cameranesi registered her 50th career point on Oct. 25.
• Hannah Brandt earned her 100th career assist on Oct. 25, becoming the eighth Gopher all time to reach triple-digits for assists.
• Kelly Pannek had her first two multi-point games of her Gopher career against North Dakota on Oct. 24-25.
• Milica McMillen leads the NCAA with five power-play goals this season.
Weekend Rewind: Gophers Sweep North Dakota
Hannah Brandt led the Gophers against UND, recording seven points in the series sweep. She contributed to all five goals in Saturday's win after recording two assists on Friday. Four other Gophers recorded multiple points in the series: Milica McMillen (3g, 1a), Maryanne Menefee (2g, 1a), Kelly Pannek (4a) and Dani Cameranesi (2g, 2a). Amanda Leveille made 33 saves in the series and earned her 18th career shutout on Saturday.
Cameranesi and McMillen each scored two goals, including one empty-net goal each, to lead Minnesota in Friday's 5-2 win over. The Gophers also received two points each from Pannek and Brandt. Leveille made 26 saves. Saturday, Brandt led the way for Minnesota, racking up a season-best five points on two goals and three assists in the 5-0 win. The Gophers outshot UND, 51-7, while upping their record to 7-0-1 with a 5-0-1-0 mark in conference play.
Home, Sweet Home
The Gophers are 48-1-1 in their last 50 home games, dating back to Feb. 18, 2012. This season, Minnesota leads the nation in home attendance, averaging 1,996 fans per game in four home games.
Offensive Defense
The Gophers' defensemen lead the nation's blue-liners in scoring, averaging 3.75 points per game. McMillen (6g-3a) is tied for the national lead among defensemen with nine points on the year. Fellow Gopher blue-liners Rachel Ramsey (1g-5a) and Lee Stecklein (6a) are among the WCHA's top five defensive scorers as well.
Spreading the Wealth
Sixteen of Minnesota's 18 skaters already have registered at least one point this season, including three of the Gophers' four rookies. Freshmen Cara Piazza (3g), Nina Rodgers (1a) and Kelly Pannek (5a) have all recorded their first collegiate points. Nine different Gophers have scored goals, led by Brandt (9g) and Cameranesi (8g).
Through eight games, Brandt (9g-9a) leads the nation with 18 points, 2.25 points per game and nine goals. Her nine assists ranks third in the nation as well. Meanwhile, linemate Cameranesi (8g-6a) is on Brandt's heels with 14 points and ranks second in the league with 1.75 points per game. Her 14 points ranks third in the WCHA.
With 35 goals in eight games, the Gophers' offense leads the WCHA and ranks fourth in the nation, averaging 4.38 goals per game. Minnesota's 1.12 goals against average leads the WCHA and is tied for second in the NCAA.
Special Teams Off to a Strong Start
The Gophers have the nation's second-ranked power-play unit (behind Dartmouth, which is 4-for-5), converting on 13-of-33 opportunities for a .394 percentage. Milica McMillen leads the NCAA with five power-play goals this season. At 33-for-35, Minnesota leads the WCHA and ranks sixth in the nation with a .943 penalty kill percentage.
Seven Gophers to Compete in 2014 Four Nations Cup
The U.S., Canada and Finland have announced their rosters for the 2014 Four Nations Cup, and seven Gophers are set to represent their home countries. The U.S. Women's National Team includes current Gophers Hannah Brandt, Dani Cameranesi and Lee Stecklein along with alumni Megan Bozek and Gigi Marvin. Fellow alum Kelly Terry has been selected to be a part of Canada's National Women's Team, and Mira Jalosuo was recently announced as a member of Finland's Women's National Team for the 2014 Four Nations Cup as well.
The annual Four Nations Cup is scheduled for Nov. 4-8 at Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia. The tournament featuring Finland, Canada, Sweden and the U.S. has been held in varying forms since 1996 (previously the Three Nations Cup).
Up Next: Gophers Travel to OSU, Nov. 14-15
Minnesota is off next weekend while many NCAA women's hockey players compete at the 2014 Four Nations Cup with their respective countries. The Gophers are back in action the following weekend, traveling to Columbus, Ohio, for a series at Ohio State (4-2-0, 2-2-0-0 WCHA) on Nov. 14-15. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m. CT Friday and 1 p.m. CT Saturday.
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