University of Minnesota Athletics
WCHA Honors Pannek with Weekly Award
11/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - Junior center Kelly Pannek has been named this week's WCHA Offensive Player of the Week, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced Wednesday. The Plymouth, Minn., native led the Gophers with seven points in the team's home sweep over Bemidji State last weekend.
Pannek led the Gophers in both games, recording three points (1g-2a) in the team's 4-0 game-one win and tallying four points (2g-2a) in the team's 4-1 game-two win. For the series, Pannek had seven points, 11 shots on goal, a +4 plus/minus, three blocked shots, and 21 faceoff wins (21-for-48). Her three goals included one power-play goal and one game-winning goal. She picked up an assist on the other game-winning goal in the series. Pannek was on the ice for seven of Minnesota's eight goals in the series.
For the series, Minnesota was three-for-five on the power play, and Pannek figured into all three power-play goals with one goal and two assists. Pannek's penalty killing also helped the Gophers hold BSU scoreless on seven power-play opportunities during the series.
In game one, Pannek contributed to three of four goals. She set up Dani Cameranesi's eventual game-winning power-play goal midway through the second period before scoring to make it 2-0 midway through the third period. She added an assist on the team's second power-play goal late in the third period to make it 4-0. Pannek had three shots on goal and two blocked shots.
In game two, Pannek gave the Gophers a 2-0 lead with back-to-back goals just 15 seconds apart late in the first period. She scored on the power play at 17:11 of the opening frame and added an even-strength goal at 17:26. She then assisted both of Dani Cameranesi's even-strength goals at 18:09 of the second and 8:31 of the third. Pannek's two goals came on eight shots on goal and she added one blocked shot.
Over the weekend, Pannek led all NCAA players with seven points, three power-play points, and one game-winning goal. Her 3.50 points per game was the best in the WCHA and second in the nation. Pannek's three goals, four assists, and plus-four rating all ranked second among NCAA and WCHA skaters.
Sixteen games into the season, Pannek leads the NCAA with 32 points, 2.00 points per game, 24 assists, 1.50 assists per game. Her 206 faceoff wins lead the WCHA, and her .599 faceoff winning percentage ranks third in the league.
Pannek and the No. 2 Gophers travel to Wisconsin for a top-ranked Border Battle series against the No. 1 Badgers this weekend.
WCHA Weekly Award Recipients
Offensive Player of the Week: Kelly Pannek, Jr., F, Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Week: Sidney Morin, Sr., D, Minnesota Duluth
Rookie of the Week: Nikki Cece, Fr., G, Wisconsin
2016-17 Gopher WCHA Weekly Award Recipients
Oct. 18: Sarah Potomak, Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 1: Dani Cameranesi, Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 8: Kelly Pannek, Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 30: Kelly Pannek, Offensive Player of the Week
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