University of Minnesota Athletics
Leveille, Pannek Earn WCHA Honors
2/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Feb. 23, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - Sophomore Kelly Pannek and senior Amanda Leveille have been named WCHA Players of the Week following No. 2 Minnesota's series sweep over No. 3 Wisconsin last weekend. Pannek is the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for the first time this season while Leveille picks up her second WCHA Defensive Player of the Week award of the year after the Gophers earned 4-0 and 4-3 (OT) wins over the Badgers.
WCHA Offensive Player of the Week: Kelly Pannek
Against the Badgers, Pannek led Minnesota with four points on one goal and three assists, including scoring the overtime game-winner in game two of the series. For the weekend, she had two shots on goal and was plus-three. She was on the ice for four of the Gophers' eight goals in the series. Pannek had a .615 winning percentage in the faceoff circle in the series as well, winning 24 of 39 draws.
Pannek scored the game-winning goal with 54 seconds remaining in overtime to secure a 4-3 win over the Gophers in game two against the Badgers. She also recorded two assists to lead all player with three points in the game, setting up the first two goals of the game to give the Gophers an early 2-0 lead. Pannek had one shot on goal for the game for a 1.000 scoring percentage and was plus-two. She was on the ice for three Gopher goals, including a power-play tally.
Pannek had one assist, one shot on goal, three blocked shots, and a plus-one rating in Minnesota's 4-0 game-one win over Wisconsin. She set up the Gophers' third goal of the game. With points in both games in the series, she extended her team-best point streak to four games (3g-3a).
For the season, Pannek ranks ninth in goals (21), tied for 16th in assists (24), and 10th in points (45) among NCAA players. Her .233 scoring percentage is second in the NCAA behind teammate Dani Cameranesi (.243). Pannek leads the WCHA and ranks third in the NCAA with a .662 faceoff winning percentage (390/589). Among WCHA players, Pannek is fourth with 21 goals, fifth with 45 points, and seventh with 24 assists; her six power-play goals is tied for third. This weekend's game-winning goal moved Pannek into a tie for second in the league with five game-winners this season. Her +39 rating is tied for fifth in the league as well.
WCHA Defensive Player of the Week: Amanda Leveille
Leveille backstopped the Gophers to two wins over their border rival, making a career-high 66 saves on 69 shots faced in the series, including a season-high 35 saves in her 30th career shutout in game one.
The Kingston, Ontario native made a season-best 35 saves in Friday's 4-0 win, picking up her eighth shutout of the season. She then followed up with 31 saves in the team's 4-3 overtime win on Saturday to improve to 23-3-1 on the season.
Among NCAA goaltenders this season, Leveille's 1.34 goals against average is ranked fourth (second in the WCHA) and her .937 save percentage is ninth (third in the WCHA). At 23-3-1, she has a .870 winning percentage, good for third in the nation and second in the league. Her eight shutouts are tied for fourth in the NCAA and tied for second in the WCHA as well.
Leveille's career totals stand at 30 shutouts and a 92-8-5 mark. She ranks second in Minnesota history in both career shutouts and career wins, trailing only Noora Raty (114-17-8 with 43 shutouts). Her 1.18 career goals against average is the best in Minnesota history, and her .946 career save percentage ties the Gophers' program record held by Raty. Leveille's 92 wins ranks fourth in NCAA history while her 30 shutouts are tied for fourth.
Leveille, Pannek, and the Gophers begin the 2015-16 postseason by hosting Ohio State in a WCHA First Round best-of-three series at Ridder Arena this weekend.
WCHA Weekly Award Recipients
Offensive Player of the Week: Kelly Pannek, So., F, Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Week: Amanda Leveille, Sr., G, Minnesota
Rookie of the Week: Julia Tylke, Fr., F, St. Cloud State
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
Nov. 17: Hannah Brandt, Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 24: Sarah Potomak, Rookie of the Week
Dec. 1: Dani Cameranesi, Offensive Player of the Week
Dec. 1: Sarah Potomak, Rookie of the Week
Jan. 12: Taylor Williamson, Rookie of the Week
Jan. 26: Sarah Potomak, Rookie of the Week
Feb. 10: Amanda Leveille, Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 16: Dani Cameranesi, Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 23: Kelly Pannek, Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 23: Amanda Leveille, Defensive Player of the Week
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