University of Minnesota Athletics
Stecklein Picks Up WCHA Weekly Honor
10/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - Sophomore defenseman Lee Stecklein has been named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after leading No. 1 Minnesota to season-opening wins over Penn State and No. 6 Boston University last weekend.
In her first two games for the Maroon & Gold since March 2013 after playing in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games with Team USA, Stecklein was tied for the team lead with four points on four assists in Minnesota's wins over Penn State and No. 6 Boston University at Ridder Arena this weekend.
The Roseville, Minn., native picked up two assists in each game, had a plus-four rating for the weekend and logged three blocked shots. She was on the ice for eight of Minnesota's 13 goals in the two games, including four power-play goals.
In Friday's 8-0 win over Penn State, Stecklein set up Dani Cameranesi's first-period goal, firing a shot from the point that Cameranesi redirected past PSU goaltender Celine Whitlinger. She then set up Hannah Brandt's first goal of the year at 6:08 of the second period. Stecklein finished the game with a plus-three rating, was on the ice for five Minnesota goals, had two shots on goal, and blocked three Penn State shots.
Stecklein then recorded two more assists in the Gophers' 5-2 win over No. 6 Boston University. She set up the Gophers' fourth and fifth goals of the game. Stecklein was on the ice for three Gopher goals, including two power-play tallies, and finished the game with a plus-one rating.
Through two games, Stecklein ranks third in the nation among blue-liners and leads WCHA defensemen with 2.00 points per game. She also is tied for third in the nation with 2.00 assists per game and tied for eighth in the nation with 2.00 points per game.
Stecklein and the Gophers open WCHA play this weekend, traveling to Minnesota Duluth (1-2-1, 0-2-0 WCHA). Puck drop is set for 6:07 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights at AMSOIL Arena.
WCHA Weekly Award Recipients
Offensive Player of the Week: Claudia Kepler, So., F, Ohio State
Defensive Player of the Week: Lee Stecklein, So., D, Minnesota
Rookie of the Week: Emily Clark, F, Wisconsin
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