University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers to Head West to Face UND
11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
| No. 2 Minnesota (11-1-0) at No. 9 North Dakota (6-4-2) | |
| Game 1 | Friday, Nov. 18 | 7:07 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 4:07 p.m. |
| Location | Ralph Engelstad Arena | Grand Forks, N.D. |
| Game 1 | Game Day Live | UND Video ($) | Free Audio | Live Stats |
| Game 2 | Game Day Live | UND Video ($) | Free Audio | Live Stats |
| Official Sites | Minnesota | North Dakota |
| Social Media | @GopherWHockey | Facebook | Instagram |
Nov. 14, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - The back-to-back defending national champion University of Minnesota women's hockey team returns to WCHA action on the road at No. 9 North Dakota this week after a bye. The Gophers and Fighting Hawks face off at 7 p.m. CT Friday and 4 p.m. CT Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Friday's game will air live on Midco Sports Network locally in Grand Forks, N.D., and both games will be streamed online at UNDSports.com. Free audio is available at GopherSports.com, and live stats are at UNDSports.com.
About the Series: No. 2 Minnesota vs. No. 9 North Dakota
Minnesota owns an all-time record of 49-8-1 against North Dakota. The Gophers went 3-1-1 against UND a year ago while outscoring the Fighting Hawks 13-5 in five meetings. Most recently, Minnesota defeated North Dakota, 2-0, in the 2016 WCHA Final Face-off semifinal round. Kelly Pannek (4a), Kate Schipper (4a), Hannah Brandt (4a), and Amanda Kessel (1g-3a) led the way to three victories against the Fighting Hawks as the Gophers posted a 3-1-1 record against UND a year ago.
Minnesota and North Dakota have split four of the last six series on the road in Grand Forks, N.D., dating back to the 2010-11 season. The Gophers swept UND in 2012-13 and 2013-14 but have split the other four road series with the Fighting Hawks over the last six years. Minnesota's senior class is 10-3-1 against UND during their careers.
Scouting the Opponent: North Dakota
Under the direction of Brian Idalski for the 10th season, No. 9 North Dakota (6-4-2, 5-4-1-1 WCHA) enters this week's series after recording a 2-1 loss and a 2-2 tie (shootout win) at home against Minnesota Duluth. In the rest of its league play this season, UND has swept Minnesota State and Bemidji State, split a series with St. Cloud State, and gotten swept by Wisconsin.
Through 12 games this season, forward Amy Menke (4g-8a) and defenseman Halli Krzyzaniak (2g-5a) lead the Fighting Hawks in scoring. Freshman forward Emma Nuutinen has a team-high five goals along with one assist as well. Menke is the lone Fighting Hawk in double digits for points, but 18 players have recorded at least one point. Two goaltenders have seen action with senior Lexie Shaw playing the majority of minutes. She is 6-3-2 with a .941 save percentage and a 1.43 goals against average, while freshman Kristen Campbell has appeared in one game, dropping a 3-2 decision to St. Cloud State.
North Dakota returned 17 of 25 players from last season, including two of the team's top five scorers from a year ago in Menke (19g-21a) and Krzyzaniak (5g-12a). UND finished the 2015-16 season with a record of 18-12-5 (13-10-5 WCHA), good for fourth in the WCHA regular season standings. UND fell to the Gophers in the semifinal round of the WCHA Final Face-off and did not advance to the NCAA tournament. The Fighting Hawks also added eight newcomers to this year's roster.
Last Time Out: Gophers Sweep Mavericks
Most recently, Minnesota (11-1-0, 9-1-0 WCHA) earned a home sweep over Minnesota State (Nov. 4-6). The Gophers won 5-0 in game one before delivering a season-high eight-goal effort in an 8-1 win in game two. Minnesota's line of Dani Cameranesi (5g-2a), Kelly Pannek (2g-6a), and Sarah Potomak (1g-3a) combined for 19 points against the Mavericks. Sidney Peters made 18 of 19 saves, earning both wins in net including a 10-save shutout in game one. Serena D'Angelo also saw action in game two.
Point Streaks
Junior Kelly Pannek enters this week's games on a team-best eight-game point streak. Meanwhile, seniors Dani Cameranesi and Kate Schipper are on four- and three-game point streaks, respectively.
Gophers Rank Among NCAA's Best
Senior Dani Cameranesi (12g-10a), junior Kelly Pannek (5g-17a), and sophomore Sarah Potomak (10g-12a) are tied for the WCHA lead with 22 points each, good for second in the NCAA. Cameranesi's 12 goals are an NCAA-best, and Pannek leads the NCAA with 17 assists and 1.42 assists per game. Potomak's five game-winning goals lead the NCAA.
Special Teams Play
After going 1-for-10 on the power play to open the season, Minnesota's power play now leads the WCHA and ranks second in the NCAA at 25.7 percent (9-for-35). The Gophers' penalty kill is tied for sixth in the nation at 30-for-33 (.909). Minnesota leads the NCAA in fewest penalty minutes per game, averaging under three penalties per game at just 5.7 minutes per game.
Cameranesi Leaving Scoring Mark
Senior forward Dani Cameranesi is Gophers' active career scoring leader with 191 career points (87g-104a) to rank ninth in Minnesota history. She trails eighth-ranked Gigi Marvin (87g-108a) by four points. Cameranesi's 87 goals are tied for eighth in Gopher women's hockey history. Her 104 assists also rank ninth in Minnesota history, and her 31 power-play goals are tied for fourth all-time.
Century Mark Scoring
Junior forward Kelly Pannek became the 32nd player in Gophers history to surpass 100 career points with two points (1g-1a) against Minnesota Duluth (Oct. 15). Pannek currently has 115 career points (42g-73a). Senior forward Kate Schipper is closing in on 100 career points, currently at 97 points (29g-68a).
Frost Secures 300th Win
Head coach Brad Frost secured his 300th career coaching victory with the Gophers' road sweep at Ohio State (Oct. 21-22). He enters this week's series with an all-time mark of 304-46-22. This year marks Frost's 10th season at the helm of the Gophers. Last season Frost became the winningest coach in Gopher women's hockey history, surpassing Laura Halldorson (278-67-22) for career coaching wins.
Gopher Rookies See First Action
All six of Minnesota's freshmen have suited up for the Maroon & Gold this season. Most recently, freshman goaltender Serena D'Angelo made her third career appearance in the third period against Minnesota State. Katie Robinson has played in six games after seeing her first action on the road at Ohio State. Lindsay Agnew (2g-2a), Patti Marshall (1g-6a), Alex Woken (1g-3a) have played in all 12 games this season, while Kippin Keller has been in the lineup for 10 games.
Six Gophers Medal at Four Nations Cup
All six Golden Gopher representatives took home medals at the 2016 Four Nations Cup. Lee Stecklein, Hannah Brandt, Megan Bozek, and Anne Schleper won gold with the U.S. Women's National Team while Sarah Davis took home silver with Canada's National Women's Team as the rivals met in the gold-medal game. Meanwhile, Noora Raty and Finland won 2-1 over Sweden for bronze in Vierumäki, Finland.
Nine Alumni Continue Careers
Nine Gopher alumni are continuing their hockey careers by playing professional hockey in the NWHL and CWHL this season: Gigi Marvin (Boston Pride, NWHL), Megan Bozek (Buffalo Beauts, NWHL), Anne Schleper (Buffalo Beauts, NWHL), Jordyn Burns (Buffalo Beauts, NWHL), Amanda Leveille (Buffalo Beauts, NWHL), Amanda Kessel (New York Riveters, NWHL), Milica McMillen (New York Riveters, NWHL), Sarah Davis (Calgary Inferno, CWHL), and Kelly Terry (Toronto Furies, CWHL).
Gopher Women's Hockey Youth VIP Season Pass Returns
The Gopher Women's Hockey Youth VIP Season Pass is back for its fifth season. The pass provides girls and boys in eighth grade or under with free admission to all regular season Gopher women's hockey games at Ridder Arena. Registration is available at GopherSports.com now.
Teddy Bear Toss Set for Nov. 27
The Gophers will hold their annual Teddy Bear Toss on Sunday, Nov. 27, when the team hosts Bemidji State at Ridder Arena. Puck drop is set for 2:07 p.m. CT. Fans are invited to bring stuffed animals to donate to Gopher Athletics' annual toy drive by throwing the stuffed animals on the ice when the first Gopher goal is scored.
WCHA Tabs Minnesota to Finish Second
The Gophers were chosen to finish second in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's preseason poll of the league's eight head coaches. The Gophers collected two first-place votes and 44 points in the annual preseason poll. Wisconsin led the way with four first-place votes and 48 points, and North Dakota (36 points) and Minnesota Duluth (30 points) rounded out the top four teams in third and fourth place, respectively.
Home, Sweet Home
Including eight wins in 2016-17, the Gophers have compiled a record of 103-4-7 in home games at Ridder Arena dating back to the 2011-12 season. Since 2011-12, Minnesota has a .934 winning percentage at home.
Gopher Fans are Nation's Best
Season tickets, pick-your-packs, and single-game tickets for the 2016-17 chapter of Gopher women's hockey are on sale now through MyGopherSports.com. Minnesota looks to lead the nation in attendance for the fifth-straight year on its quest for the program's eighth national championship.
Up Next: Gophers to Host Beavers
Minnesota returns home to Ridder Arena to host Bemidji State next weekend as the Gophers and Beavers will face off for the second time this season. Puck drop is set for 2:07 p.m. CT both Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27.
###
