University of Minnesota Athletics
Frost, Stecklein, Cameranesi Meet with Media
11/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Nov. 30, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - Head coach Brad Frost and seniors Dani Cameranesi and Lee Stecklein met with the media this week to discuss the Gophers' rivalry with the Badgers in preparation for this weekend's WCHA series on the road in Madison, Wis.
On using the series against Wisconsin as a measuring stick...
Stecklein: I don't know if I would say [we] measure ourselves against; we like to measure ourselves just against ourselves, but it's definitely one we look forward to. The Border Battle is always an exciting rivalry and something I look forward to each year.
Cameranesi: Our coaches always stress for us to compare ourselves to ourselves because the second you start comparing yourself to another team, that's when things usually start to go downhill. Obviously we know a lot about how we play, the things that we need to improve on, things we need to do each weekend, so we're just focusing on ourselves and what maybe we can do better to help best match ourselves against them.
On what makes the rivalry so special...
Stecklein: History, probably, it's been going on for quite a while. We actually have played against some of the girls for years even before college, so just knowing them, knowing their program, they're a great team. The blood is in the air, or water, like they say, when we play them.
Cameranesi: I don't know if it's as much about bragging rights, but the game itself -- there's just a whole different feeling to playing against a team that you have a big rivalry against. You feel it pretty much all week. You feel the excitement, and I think practices are even a little more intense. Just the feeling is a lot different than most other games.
On the timing of this weekend's series...
Cameranesi: We're more consistent throughout the end of the year than in the beginning of the year trying to figure things out, figure out line combinations. I think even though it's only almost halfway through the first part of the season, we've definitely matured a lot. It gives our freshmen time to mature as well and get used to the game. I bet they'll be really excited to know the feeling of playing in the Border Battle against Wisconsin this weekend.
On why the Gophers and Badgers match up so well...
Stecklein: I'd say both of our teams have a lot of speed. We're both usually fairly deep teams with four lines and six defensemen, and it creates a consistent, really competitive game.
On your favorite moment playing against Wisconsin so far in your career
Stecklein: Beating them is always fun. But, last year in the Frozen Four -- we've had to get past them in the semifinals for the a few years now, but last year winning in overtime. Sarah Potomak's game-winning goal was pretty exciting. I don't know if that game was more difficult. I'm really bad at remembering the games because there's so much adrenaline during them. I can't recall plays even right after we've played them, but last year's will stick out I think just because of the overtime.
On what helps you be successful against Wisconsin...
Stecklein: I think everyone brings a new level in those rivalries. I know it's just preparing myself. I don't have to get excited - you just are. It's there all week leading up to it.
On home state pride...
Stecklein: Getting to play for your home state definitely adds something. They'll have a few Minnesota girls who chose Wisconsin over us, I don't know if that adds something too, but it's just being right there, right next to each other with two such great teams with such long histories in our programs. It's there no matter what each team has had that season. It doesn't matter if someone's down or someone's up, it's always a great game.
On coming off last weekend against Bemidji State...
Stecklein: I thought we had a great weekend. I thought things were really clicking for us for all four lines and all of our D pairings. I'm excited to continue that on this week.
On what it will mean to reach 200 career points...
Cameranesi: It would mean a lot. I think just playing here is a huge thing, and wearing the M was a big thing for me coming in. I never really knew or thought I would be in this position coming into my senior year along side all of the other great players who have played here. It would definitely be an honor. It's going to be really tough coming in the last stretch here. We just have to play well as a team, and hopefully come out with a few wins this weekend. I personally don't like focusing on [points] because I think when you start getting too individualistic, then things don't go as well for the team. Obviously it's a team sport, and we need to focus on ourselves as a whole rather than as individual parts.
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