University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, October 5
Duluth, MN
7:07 PM
University of Minnesota
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Minnesota Duluth
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Photo by: Brad Rempel
WCHA Play to Open with Top-Five Match-Up
10/1/2018 5:24:00 PM | Women's Hockey
No. 3 Minnesota travels to No. 4 Minnesota Duluth to open conference play this weekend.
MINNEAPOLIS – Conference play begins with a top-five match-up for the No. 3 University of Minnesota women's hockey team as the Golden Gophers travel to No. 4 Minnesota Duluth this weekend. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. CT on Friday and 3:07 p.m. CT on Saturday. Fans can follow along with both games by watching online via FloHockey ($); free audio and live stats are available at GopherSports.com.
About the Series: Minnesota vs. Minnesota Duluth
Minnesota has an all-time record of 55-27-8 against Minnesota Duluth dating back to November 1998. Most recently, the Gophers and Bulldogs met at Ridder Arena in December 2017 with Minnesota taking four of six league points from UMD. The Gophers recorded a 3-3 overtime tie before winning 5-0 in game two against UMD. Grace Zumwinkle (2g-3a), Nicole Schammel (2g-3a), Taylor Wente (2g-2a), and Caitlin Reilly (1g-2a) led the Gophers against the Bulldogs.
Last Time Out: Minnesota Sweeps Mercyhurst
Grace Zumwinkle (2g-1a), Patti Marshall (1g-2a), Kelly Pannek (1g-2a), Sarah Potomak (1g-2a), and Nicole Schammel (3a) all recorded three points against Mercyhurst as the Gophers opened the 2018-19 season with a non-conference sweep over the Lakers with 4-2 and 5-0 wins last weekend. Alex Gulstene (21 saves in game one) and Sydney Scobee (17 saves in game two) each picked up a win in net.
Minnesota in Season-Openers
The Gophers improved to 20-2-0 all-time in season-openers after sweeping Mercyhurst to begin the 2018-19 campaign last weekend.
Scoring Milestones
Kelly Pannek recorded her 100th career assist in Minnesota's season-opener after starting her senior year with 155 career points (56g-99a). Pannek is the program's active career scoring leader as her current total of 158 career points (57g-101a) is tied for 13th among all-time Gophers. Meanwhile, Sarah Potomak currently ranks 33rd in program history with 110 career points (36g-74a).
First Career Goals
Two Gopher rookies scored their first career goals last weekend as Amy Potomak scored in Minnesota's season opener (Sept. 28) and Taylor Heise got on the board in game two with Mercyhurst (Sept. 29).
Olympic Reunion
Team USA gold medalist teammates Kelly Pannek and Maddie Rooney will face off when the Gophers take on the Bulldogs this weekend. Pannek and Rooney both returned to college hockey after helping the U.S. to gold at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Immediate Impact
All seven of Minnesota's newcomers saw ice time last weekend as Amy Potomak (1g-1a), Taylor Heise (1g), Catie Skaja, Gracie Ostertag, and Emily Oden all played in both games last week while Crystalyn Hengler and Abigail Boreen made their collegiate debuts in game two against Mercyhurst. Junior Sydney Scobee also made her Gopher debut in game two against the Lakers, picking up a shutout with 17 saves.
Up Next: Home-and-Home Series with St. Cloud State
Minnesota faces St. Cloud State next weekend, traveling to St. Cloud, Minn., for a 6:07 p.m. CT puck drop on Friday, Oct. 12 before game two at Ridder Arena at 4:07 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.
Saturday, Oct. 13 is Daddy Daughter Day at Ridder Arena. Dad and daughter duos are invited to join the Gophers for a day at the rink by purchasing the Daddy Daughter Day ticket package. All dads and daughters who purchase this ticket package will receive a Block-M t-shirt (dad) and a Gopher Women's Hockey decal sticker (daughter) for your laptop, school locker, etc. Stop by the photo booth on the concourse prior to the game and stick around for the post-game open skate, which is open to all fans. Note that skate rental will not be available, and all fans must submit a waiver before entering the ice.
Game two against St. Cloud State is also Red Wing Community Day. Red Wing community members are invited to Ridder Arena to cheer on local Gophers Nicole Schammel (Red Wing, Minn.) and Taylor Heise (Lake City, Minn.) as they take on the Huskies.
Twenty Years of WCHA Women's Hockey
The 2018-19 season marks the league's 20th anniversary season. Throughout the season, the WCHA will celebrate the past, present, and future of college hockey's premier conference.
Home, Sweet Home
The 2018-19 season marks the 17th season of Ridder Arena serving as the home of Gopher women's hockey. Minnesota enters the season with a record of 268-42-21 in home games at Ridder Arena, dating back to the 2002-03 season.
Pannek Serving as Captain
Senior Kelly Pannek is Minnesota's captain this year. Pannek returns to Minnesota for her redshirt senior season as an Olympic gold medalist after helping Team USA to gold at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Gophers Tabbed as League Favorite
Minnesota and Wisconsin tied for the top spot in the 2018-19 WCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll with 33 points apiece. Defending WCHA Final Faceoff champion Minnesota and defending WCHA regular season champion Wisconsin collected all seven first-place votes in the poll as the Badgers had four votes and the Gophers received three. Ohio State earned 24 points to edge Minnesota Duluth by one point and secure the third spot in the poll while Bemidji State (16), St. Cloud State (12), and Minnesota State (6) rounded out this year's poll.
Who's Back?
The Gophers return 17 players from last year's team, including seven seniors. Minnesota returns seven of its top-10 leading scorers from last year, including 2018 WCHA Scoring Champion and team scoring leader Grace Zumwinkle (17g-21a). Nicole Schammel returns after recording a career-high 32 points (17g-15a) last season, and Sophie Skarzynski (8g-19a) was one of the Gophers' top-five leading scorers a year ago as well. Along with 17 returners, the Gophers enjoy the addition of three players who red-shirted the 2017-18 season: U.S. Olympic gold medalist Kelly Pannek and Canada's National Women's Team members Amy Potomak and Sarah Potomak.
Heise Leads Incoming Class
Seven newcomers join the Gophers for the 2018-19 season, made up of six true freshmen and one junior transfer. WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year Taylor Heise (Lake City, Minn./Red Wing HS) leads Minnesota's talented freshmen class, which includes Abigail Boreen (Somerset, Wis./Hill-Murray), Crystalyn Hengler (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS), Emily Oden (Edina, Minn./Edina HS), Gracie Ostertag (Shakopee, Minn./Shattuck St. Mary's), and Catie Skaja (New Prague, Minn./New Prague HS) along with Heise. Meanwhile, goaltender Sydney Scobee (Minnetrista, Minn.) joins the Maroon & Gold after spending two years at the University of Vermont where she played in 31 games, posting a .923 save percentage and a 2.59 goals against average.
Frost Enters 12th Season
Head coach Brad Frost returns for his 12th season at the helm of the program with a career coaching record of 343-64-30 (.819 winning percentage) in his first 11 seasons leading the Gophers. Minnesota celebrated Frost's 300th career coaching victory with a road sweep at Ohio State in October 2016.
Season Recap: A Look Back at 2017-18
Minnesota's 2017-18 season came to a close in the NCAA quarterfinal round after the Gophers punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament by winning the program's seventh overall WCHA Final Faceoff title and the team's first since 2013-14. The Gophers posted an overall record of 24-11-3 while going 13-8-3-0 in WCHA action. Minnesota finished third in the WCHA regular season race. Under the leadership of captains Sydney Baldwin and Cara Piazza, Minnesota made the program's 11th-straight and 16th overall appearance in the NCAA postseason. Baldwin collected WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, and CCM/AHCA All-American First Team honors while Sidney Peters was selected as this year's recipient of the prestigious Hockey Humanitarian Award. Six newcomers joined the squad for their first season representing the Maroon & Gold while four seniors capped their collegiate careers in Baldwin, Peters, Piazza, and Caitlin Reilly.
WCHA Final Faceoff Returns to Ridder Arena
Minnesota will serve as host of the WCHA Final Faceoff in each of the next four seasons. The 2019 WCHA Final Faceoff is set for March 9-10, and the league awarded the 2020 through 2022 tournaments to Ridder Arena prior to the start of the 2018-19 season. The decision for the host site for the next three-year championship cycle was made following a vetting process by the league's Postseason Tournament Committee of submitted bids, the committee's subsequent recommendation, and a unanimous vote of approval by the WCHA Women's League Board of Directors. The league's postseason tournament has been held at Ridder Arena 11 times, most recently in 2017-18. Ridder Arena has also hosted the NCAA Women's Frozen Four in 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2018.
Goldy's Kids Club Returns in 2018-19
Youth in 8th grade or under can receive exclusive access to sporting events and Gopher gear. Goldy's Kids Club annual memberships run from July to May and allows members to have exclusive access to select ticket deals and special events. New Goldy's Kids Club memberships are $25 for each child and renewals are $20 for each child. All Goldy's Kids Club members receive free admission to all regular-season Gopher women's hockey home games at Ridder Arena.
Quest for Eighth National Title in 2018-19
Minnesota has won four of the last seven national championships and has seven national titles overall (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016). The program looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2018-19.
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About the Series: Minnesota vs. Minnesota Duluth
Minnesota has an all-time record of 55-27-8 against Minnesota Duluth dating back to November 1998. Most recently, the Gophers and Bulldogs met at Ridder Arena in December 2017 with Minnesota taking four of six league points from UMD. The Gophers recorded a 3-3 overtime tie before winning 5-0 in game two against UMD. Grace Zumwinkle (2g-3a), Nicole Schammel (2g-3a), Taylor Wente (2g-2a), and Caitlin Reilly (1g-2a) led the Gophers against the Bulldogs.
Last Time Out: Minnesota Sweeps Mercyhurst
Grace Zumwinkle (2g-1a), Patti Marshall (1g-2a), Kelly Pannek (1g-2a), Sarah Potomak (1g-2a), and Nicole Schammel (3a) all recorded three points against Mercyhurst as the Gophers opened the 2018-19 season with a non-conference sweep over the Lakers with 4-2 and 5-0 wins last weekend. Alex Gulstene (21 saves in game one) and Sydney Scobee (17 saves in game two) each picked up a win in net.
Minnesota in Season-Openers
The Gophers improved to 20-2-0 all-time in season-openers after sweeping Mercyhurst to begin the 2018-19 campaign last weekend.
Scoring Milestones
Kelly Pannek recorded her 100th career assist in Minnesota's season-opener after starting her senior year with 155 career points (56g-99a). Pannek is the program's active career scoring leader as her current total of 158 career points (57g-101a) is tied for 13th among all-time Gophers. Meanwhile, Sarah Potomak currently ranks 33rd in program history with 110 career points (36g-74a).
First Career Goals
Two Gopher rookies scored their first career goals last weekend as Amy Potomak scored in Minnesota's season opener (Sept. 28) and Taylor Heise got on the board in game two with Mercyhurst (Sept. 29).
Olympic Reunion
Team USA gold medalist teammates Kelly Pannek and Maddie Rooney will face off when the Gophers take on the Bulldogs this weekend. Pannek and Rooney both returned to college hockey after helping the U.S. to gold at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Immediate Impact
All seven of Minnesota's newcomers saw ice time last weekend as Amy Potomak (1g-1a), Taylor Heise (1g), Catie Skaja, Gracie Ostertag, and Emily Oden all played in both games last week while Crystalyn Hengler and Abigail Boreen made their collegiate debuts in game two against Mercyhurst. Junior Sydney Scobee also made her Gopher debut in game two against the Lakers, picking up a shutout with 17 saves.
Up Next: Home-and-Home Series with St. Cloud State
Minnesota faces St. Cloud State next weekend, traveling to St. Cloud, Minn., for a 6:07 p.m. CT puck drop on Friday, Oct. 12 before game two at Ridder Arena at 4:07 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.
Saturday, Oct. 13 is Daddy Daughter Day at Ridder Arena. Dad and daughter duos are invited to join the Gophers for a day at the rink by purchasing the Daddy Daughter Day ticket package. All dads and daughters who purchase this ticket package will receive a Block-M t-shirt (dad) and a Gopher Women's Hockey decal sticker (daughter) for your laptop, school locker, etc. Stop by the photo booth on the concourse prior to the game and stick around for the post-game open skate, which is open to all fans. Note that skate rental will not be available, and all fans must submit a waiver before entering the ice.
Game two against St. Cloud State is also Red Wing Community Day. Red Wing community members are invited to Ridder Arena to cheer on local Gophers Nicole Schammel (Red Wing, Minn.) and Taylor Heise (Lake City, Minn.) as they take on the Huskies.
Twenty Years of WCHA Women's Hockey
The 2018-19 season marks the league's 20th anniversary season. Throughout the season, the WCHA will celebrate the past, present, and future of college hockey's premier conference.
Home, Sweet Home
The 2018-19 season marks the 17th season of Ridder Arena serving as the home of Gopher women's hockey. Minnesota enters the season with a record of 268-42-21 in home games at Ridder Arena, dating back to the 2002-03 season.
Pannek Serving as Captain
Senior Kelly Pannek is Minnesota's captain this year. Pannek returns to Minnesota for her redshirt senior season as an Olympic gold medalist after helping Team USA to gold at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Gophers Tabbed as League Favorite
Minnesota and Wisconsin tied for the top spot in the 2018-19 WCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll with 33 points apiece. Defending WCHA Final Faceoff champion Minnesota and defending WCHA regular season champion Wisconsin collected all seven first-place votes in the poll as the Badgers had four votes and the Gophers received three. Ohio State earned 24 points to edge Minnesota Duluth by one point and secure the third spot in the poll while Bemidji State (16), St. Cloud State (12), and Minnesota State (6) rounded out this year's poll.
Who's Back?
The Gophers return 17 players from last year's team, including seven seniors. Minnesota returns seven of its top-10 leading scorers from last year, including 2018 WCHA Scoring Champion and team scoring leader Grace Zumwinkle (17g-21a). Nicole Schammel returns after recording a career-high 32 points (17g-15a) last season, and Sophie Skarzynski (8g-19a) was one of the Gophers' top-five leading scorers a year ago as well. Along with 17 returners, the Gophers enjoy the addition of three players who red-shirted the 2017-18 season: U.S. Olympic gold medalist Kelly Pannek and Canada's National Women's Team members Amy Potomak and Sarah Potomak.
Heise Leads Incoming Class
Seven newcomers join the Gophers for the 2018-19 season, made up of six true freshmen and one junior transfer. WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year Taylor Heise (Lake City, Minn./Red Wing HS) leads Minnesota's talented freshmen class, which includes Abigail Boreen (Somerset, Wis./Hill-Murray), Crystalyn Hengler (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS), Emily Oden (Edina, Minn./Edina HS), Gracie Ostertag (Shakopee, Minn./Shattuck St. Mary's), and Catie Skaja (New Prague, Minn./New Prague HS) along with Heise. Meanwhile, goaltender Sydney Scobee (Minnetrista, Minn.) joins the Maroon & Gold after spending two years at the University of Vermont where she played in 31 games, posting a .923 save percentage and a 2.59 goals against average.
Frost Enters 12th Season
Head coach Brad Frost returns for his 12th season at the helm of the program with a career coaching record of 343-64-30 (.819 winning percentage) in his first 11 seasons leading the Gophers. Minnesota celebrated Frost's 300th career coaching victory with a road sweep at Ohio State in October 2016.
Season Recap: A Look Back at 2017-18
Minnesota's 2017-18 season came to a close in the NCAA quarterfinal round after the Gophers punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament by winning the program's seventh overall WCHA Final Faceoff title and the team's first since 2013-14. The Gophers posted an overall record of 24-11-3 while going 13-8-3-0 in WCHA action. Minnesota finished third in the WCHA regular season race. Under the leadership of captains Sydney Baldwin and Cara Piazza, Minnesota made the program's 11th-straight and 16th overall appearance in the NCAA postseason. Baldwin collected WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, and CCM/AHCA All-American First Team honors while Sidney Peters was selected as this year's recipient of the prestigious Hockey Humanitarian Award. Six newcomers joined the squad for their first season representing the Maroon & Gold while four seniors capped their collegiate careers in Baldwin, Peters, Piazza, and Caitlin Reilly.
WCHA Final Faceoff Returns to Ridder Arena
Minnesota will serve as host of the WCHA Final Faceoff in each of the next four seasons. The 2019 WCHA Final Faceoff is set for March 9-10, and the league awarded the 2020 through 2022 tournaments to Ridder Arena prior to the start of the 2018-19 season. The decision for the host site for the next three-year championship cycle was made following a vetting process by the league's Postseason Tournament Committee of submitted bids, the committee's subsequent recommendation, and a unanimous vote of approval by the WCHA Women's League Board of Directors. The league's postseason tournament has been held at Ridder Arena 11 times, most recently in 2017-18. Ridder Arena has also hosted the NCAA Women's Frozen Four in 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2018.
Goldy's Kids Club Returns in 2018-19
Youth in 8th grade or under can receive exclusive access to sporting events and Gopher gear. Goldy's Kids Club annual memberships run from July to May and allows members to have exclusive access to select ticket deals and special events. New Goldy's Kids Club memberships are $25 for each child and renewals are $20 for each child. All Goldy's Kids Club members receive free admission to all regular-season Gopher women's hockey home games at Ridder Arena.
Quest for Eighth National Title in 2018-19
Minnesota has won four of the last seven national championships and has seven national titles overall (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016). The program looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2018-19.
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