University of Minnesota Athletics
Brandt, Potomak Collect WCHA Weekly Awards
10/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS Senior center Hannah Brandt and freshman winger Sarah Potomak have been named WCHA Players of the Week. They each recorded eight points in No. 1 Minnesota's road sweep over Ohio State. Brandt is this week's Offensive Player of the Week, while Potomak picks up her second-straight Rookie of the Week award.
WCHA Offensive Player of the Week: Hannah Brandt
Brandt led Minnesota with eight points on three goals and five assists last weekend. She had two assists in Minnesota's 7-2 win before recording a season-high six points in Saturday's 11-2 win with three goals and three assists. For the series, she had eight points, was plus-eight, had eight shots on goal, and won 29 of 38 faceoffs (.763). She was on the ice for nine of Minnesota's 18 goals in the series.
Brandt had a season-high six points on three goals and three assists in Minnesota's 11-2 win. She recorded her second hat trick of the season in scoring the Gophers' fourth, sixth and 10th goals of the game. She assisted the Gophers' first goal, the game-winner, and the team's seventh goal. Her three goals came on five shots on goal, and she was plus-six for the game. Brandt's six-point game is tied for second-most points in a single game in Minnesota history.
Brandt also registered a pair of assists in Minnesota's 7-2 win on Friday. She set up the Gophers' fourth and sixth goals of the game and was 18-for-20 in the faceoff circle with three shots on goal.
Brandt's 2.50 points per game and 15 total points are both tied for third in the NCAA. She leads the WCHA with 1.50 goals per game and nine total goals, ranking tied for second in the nation in both categories. Brandt is the only WCHA player to have recorded two hat tricks already this season. Her plus-17 ranking is tied for the best in the nation. Her .711 faceoff winning percentage for the season ranks third in the WCHA. Brandt is on a five-game point streak (9g-6a) and averages 4.0 points per game over her last three games.
Brandt is climbing the ranks among all-time career-scorers. She is the NCAA's active career scoring leader with 236 career points (99 goals, 137 assists). She ranks third in Minnesota history and 12th in NCAA history. Brandt needs just 11 more points to surpass Natalie Darwitz (246 points) as the Gophers' all-time career points leader and eight more assists to surpass Darwitz (144 assists) as the Gophers' all-time career assists leader. She is one goal away from becoming the fourth Gopher ever to reach 100 career goals.
WCHA Rookie of the Week: Sarah Potomak
Potomak recorded eight assists in the team's road sweep at Ohio State. She recorded four assists in each game, including setting up both game-winners, as the Gophers won 7-2 and 11-2. She was plus-nine for the series with three shots on goal.
The Aldergrove, B.C., native's eight assists marked a series-high for the freshman. Her back-to-back four-assist games were also career-highs. Potomak has at least one point in each of her six collegiate games, and she leads the Gophers, the WCHA, and the nation with 17 points (3g-14a). She averages 4.33 points per game over her last three games.
Potomak had four assists in Minnesota's 7-2 win. She assisted the first goal of the game on the power play, the game-winning goal at 8:08 of the second period, the fifth goal of the game, and the sixth goal of the game. She was plus-four and had one shot on goal. She was on the ice for five Gopher goals.
Potomak had four more assists in Minnesota's 11-2 win. She set up the first goal of the game, the game-winning goal at 8:54 of the first period, the fourth goal, and the sixth goal. Potomak was on the ice for five Gopher goals, was plus-five and had two shots on goal.
Potomak is tied for the national lead with 2.83 points per game and 17 total points. Her 2.33 assists per game and 14 total assists also lead all NCAA players.
Brandt, Potomak and the Gophers return to Ridder Arena to host Minnesota Duluth this weekend.
WCHA Weekly Award Recipients
Offensive Player of the Week: Hannah Brandt, Sr., F, Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Week: Brittni Mowat, Jr., G, Bemidji State
Rookie of the Week: Sarah Potomak, Fr., F, Minnesota
2015-16 Gopher WCHA Weekly Award Recipients
Oct. 13: Sarah Potomak, Rookie of the Week
Oct. 20: Hannah Brandt, Offensive Player of the Week
Oct. 20: Sarah Potomak, Rookie of the Week
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