UND Women make second NCAA tourney in a row

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Official Press Release
MADISON, Wis. – Two teams from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, winners of the last 13 national championships, have been selected to play in the quarterfinals of the 2013 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Ice Hockey Championship.

Defending national champion, 2012-13 WCHA regular season champ and No. 1 seed Minnesota (38-0-0) will host North Dakota (26-11-1), in the quarterfinal round, the NCAA revealed during Sunday night’s selection show. Puck drop is 4:00 pm CT Saturday at Ridder Arena. The game is a rematch of the 2013 WCHA FINAL FACE-OFF title game on Saturday (March 9) in Minneapolis when Minnesota continued its perfect season and extended its unprecedented winning streak to 46 games with a 2-0 victory. This will be the sixth meeting between the teams this season.

This is the eighth NCAA regional appearances for Minnesota. Minnesota also hosted the regional game in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The Golden Gophers beat North Dakota in the NCAA Regional at Ridder Arena last season. This is the second NCAA tournament appearance for North Dakota, which received one of the four at-large berths.

Eight teams are selected for the championship. Of the eight teams, the top-four teams are seeded. Three conferences were awarded automatic bids for the 2013 tournament. The remaining five teams were selected at-large. The automatic qualifying conferences and their representatives are the WCHA – Minnesota; ECAC Hockey – Cornell; and Hockey East Association – Boston University. Boston College, Clarkson, Harvard, Mercyhurst and North Dakota were all selected as at-large teams.

The quarterfinals will be played Saturday, March 16 and the other pairings have No. 2-seeded Cornell (27-5-1) hosting Mercyhurst (28-6-1), No. 3 Boston University (26-5-3) entertaining Clarkson (28-9-0) and Harvard (24-6-3) at Boston College (26-6-3), the No. 4 seed. The quarterfinal winners will advance to the 2013 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four, set for Friday, March 22 and Sunday, March 24 at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. The semifinal games will be played at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. CT on March 22. The championship game will be played at 3 p.m. CT on March 24.

In the 12 years of NCAA-sponsored tournaments, WCHA members have won all 12 titles – Minnesota Duluth has five, Wisconsin has four and Minnesota three. Minnesota defeated Wisconsin, 4-2 in the 2012 championship game at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn. Six of this year quarterfinalists are repeaters from last year’s field, including North Dakota and Minnesota. The other repeaters are Mercyhurst, BC, Cornell and BU.

Related articles

• Lamoureux Snubbed for Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 20 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)

Tweets of interest - WCHA Hockey

I'm sure Bruce McLeod is thrilled at the possibility of doing 3 MacNaughton Cup celebrations at schools who won't be in the league next year
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) March 9, 2013

Zane Gothberg has lost just one of his 11 WCHA starts this season, going 7-1-3. His .773 conference winning percentage leads the WCHA.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 9, 2013

Make me proud again!!! @jocelamoureux17 @moniquelam7 @ashleyfuria91 @megangilbert15 #kickass #gosioux #rolltribe
— Margot Miller (@MargotMiller19) March 9, 2013

Good luck to the UND Women's team @und_wih as they Face the undefeated Gophers 37-0-0 #rolltribe Last team to beat them.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) March 9, 2013

Less than 24 hours remain in Vote For Hobey fan voting. Be sure to cast your vote for Corban Knight: bit.ly/eNsAOH
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 9, 2013

Breaking down Minnesota State's tiebreakers. Mavs can finish 4th to 7th in the WCHA: bit.ly/1UiGmx
— Shane Frederick (@puckato) March 9, 2013

Final Score: Gophers pick up a 4-3 win over Bemidji State behind a two-goal night from Nick Bjugstad.
— Gopher Hockey (@GopherHockey) March 9, 2013

Big night tonight. First-time champs could win 4 of college hockey's 5 conference titles (reg-season, Miami could be the lone exception).
— College Hockey, Inc. (@collegehockey) March 9, 2013

(Scenarios) Crazy for just another day; WCHA race going down to the wire

This Week in the WCHA

Results of Friday, March 8: Colorado College 0 at Michigan Tech 2 (WCHA); St. Cloud State 4 at Wisconsin 2 (WCHA); Nebraska Omaha 4 at Minnesota Duluth 5 (WCHA); Minnesota 4 at Bemidji State 3 (WCHA); North Dakota 4 at Minnesota State 3 (WCHA); Alaska Anchorage 1 at Denver 7 (WCHA).

Games for Saturday, March 9: Colorado College at Michigan Tech (WCHA), 7:07 pm ET; Minnesota at Bemidji State (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; North Dakota at Minnesota State (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; St. Cloud State at Wisconsin (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Nebraska Omaha at Minnesota Duluth (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT.

Games for Sunday, March 10: Alaska Anchorage at Denver (WCHA), 11:07 am MT.

It looks like North Dakota is either going to play the Bemidji State Beavers or the Michigan Tech Huskies in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. 

North Dakota (35 points, at Minnesota State):
- Seeded 2nd with a win and a Minnesota tie or loss.
- Seeded 2nd with a tie and a Minnesota loss.
- Seeded 3rd with a win and a Minnesota win.
- Seeded 3rd with a tie and a Minnesota win or tie.
- Seeded 3rd with a loss.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 20 (insidehockey.com)
• Things aren't all that bad... Sky not falling yet. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Gophers get past Beavers

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bemidji, Minnesota – This weekend, is the last time the Gophers will ever play the Bemidji State Beavers as members of the WCHA, ever.

Two summers ago, the college hockey landscape changed forever. That discussion, however, is for another day.

Next season, the Gophers will come back to play the Beavers at the Sanford Center as members of Big Ten Hockey Conference. The Beavers will remain in the new version of the WCHA.

Last weekend, the Beavers defensive style of play kept UND bottled up and gave them fits.

Fast forward to this weekend, the Beavers again were giving another team fits, this time that same tenacious fore-check was on display at the Sanford Center in Bemidji and the Beavers were getting in the Gophers shooting lanes and taking away their time and space. It was a beaut to watch as the Beavers were giving the highly touted Gophers forwards little room to roam.

Through one period of hockey, the Gophers and Beavers exchanged goals and played an evenly matched game of hockey. The Beavers outshot the Gophers 13-10 in the first period

The second period would prove to be rough sledding in the early going for the Beavers, as they had to a kill a five-on-three power play. Unfortunately, the Beavers luck would run out at the 02:21 mark of the second period as Nick Bjudstad would score his first of two goals on the power play.

The Beavers would continue to work hard and beat the Gophers to the puck and that hard work would finally pay off as the Beavers would eventually tie the score at the 18:17 mark of the second period with a goal from Beaver freshman Cory Ward. Ward’s goal was an example of what happens when you go hard to the net.

The Gophers would out shoot the Beavers in the second period 9-8.

The opportunistic Cory Ward, would score his second of the game at the 2:30 mark of the second period, to give the Beavers a momentary 3-2 lead.

Freshman Cory Ward (Las Vegas, Nevada) has been hot as of late and has points in four of his last five games (3g-3a—6pts).

“The last couple of weeks we’ve played like that, we’ve played really well,” Ward said.  “I feel like everything is coming together. Playing against teams like that we’ve stepped our game up and that’s really important going into the playoffs in our position.”

The Beavers would miss a golden opportunity go up 4-2, on a breakaway by senior forward Jordan George.  That was a key play that would come back to haunt the Beavers.

The Gophers would tie the game four minutes later with a goal by Justin Holl.

The game wouldn’t stay tied for long as the Golden Gophers would go on the power play at the 14:54 mark of the third period with untimely and bad penalty from sophomore defenseman Sam Rendle.

The Gophers would make the Beavers pay 0:31 seconds later when Nick Bjudstad would get his second power play goal of the night.

The Gophers (23-7-4, 15-7-5 WCHA) would score two third-period goals in about seven minutes and 27 seconds to lead the Gophers to a heart breaking 4-3 loss.

The Beavers (6-19-8, 5-15-7 WCHA) gave the Gophers everything they could handle and at times they were the better of the two teams, but untimely penalties by the Beavers did them in. You cannot give the Beavers power play too many chances.

Bemidji State Beavers head coach Tom Serratore on his team’s play.

“I thought we played a pretty good 60 minute game,” Serratore said. “I thought we had good possession time. I thought we went to the net well. I thought we had good scoring chances. Guys made plays. Obviously, again the thing that tough to swallow is that third period lead and you give it up.  We’ve done that too much this year.”

[Box Score]

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine... 

Last weekend in the WCHA; All is jacked-up...

This has to be one of the most messed up standings we have seen in some time. By that I mean, no one really knows where anyone is going yet. We do know that UAA is going to finish last place, but we have known that for some time. But after that, it's a crap shoot at best. Five teams have a chance at winning the MacNaughton Cup.

This Week in the WCHA. 

College Hockey Tonight. 

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

This is it!  The last weekend of the regular season, buckle up sports fan, ‘cause we got a full slate of games.  The standings are still jam packed, with the top seven teams separated by 5 points.  It is possible to have a four-way tie for the McNaughton Cup, if things work out that way, not likely, but possible.  What we do know is that CC, UMD, MTU, BSU, and UAA will be on the road next weekend, we just don’t know who’s rink they will be at, and SCSU and UND have wrapped up home ice.

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. St. Cloud St……………17-8-1.…….….35
2. Minnesota……………...14-7-2……..…33
2. North Dakota.………….13-6-7………..33
4. Minnesota State………15-10-1....…....31
4. Wisconsin…....………..12-7-7………...31
6. Nebraska-Omaha…......14-10-2…...…30
7. Denver…………..……..12-9-5..…........29
8. Colorado College …….10-12-4...…….24
9. Minnesota-Duluth….…..8-13-5……….21
10. Michigan Tech………..7-15-4.…..…..18
11. Bemidji State……..…..6-13-7.......…..17
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...2-18-6.......…..10


The # numbers below are now the PAIRWISE rankings.

WCHA Games

#2 Minnesota @ Bemidji St.

Last weekend the Gophers split (2-0L, 5-1W) with the Pioneers in Minneapolis and the Beavers got a point from NoDak (4-2, 2-2) in Grand Forks.

The Gopher faithfully will be hoping for some help, from Wisconsin, this weekend to keep their hopes alive for the last WCHA title.  The Beavers still have a chance to move up the standings, they could finish as high as ninth place, with a sweep.  BSU plays sound defense and clogs up the passing and shooting lanes.  The Beavers style can frustrate teams, but if their opponents can get a lead, they can force BSU to change their style.  The Gophers will need to draw some penalties to get the power play some chances to score.  All the numbers point to the Gophers, but when teams like have BSU nothing to lose, you need to watch out for the kitchen sink.  GOPHERS 3-PTS

Alaska-Anchorage @ #8 Denver (Fri/Sun)

Last weekend the Seawolves were swept by the Nanooks (2-1ot, 3-1) in the home/home series and the Pioneers split (2-0W, 5-1L) with the Gophers in Minneapolis.

The Pioneers still have some control over their own fate, but they need to sweep the Seawolves, and have UNO drop below them.  I’m sure the Seawolves would like to welcome DU to the bottom half of the bracket and keep them there, by winning a game or two.  DU played well last weekend in Minneapolis, I watched the replays. And if they play like that again this weekend, they should secure four points.  UAA has nothing to lose; they have been locked into last place for a couple of weeks now.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Shyiak pulled a few tricks out of his sleeve this weekend.  PIONEERS SWEEP

#7 North Dakota @ #8 Minnesota State
Last weekend NoDak got three points (4-2, 2-2ot) from the Beavers in Grand Forks and the Mavericks split (4-1L, 7-2W) with the Tigers in Colorado Springs.

This is a big series for both teams.  UND still has an outside chance at the title and MSUM for that matter too.  The Mavericks are 10-5-1 at home this year and UND is 8-6-1 away from Grand Forks.  NoDak has scored three more goals and given up three more than MSUM has in the WCHA this season, so those are pretty even numbers.  The big difference is that NoDak has 7 ties in the league and the Mavericks have just one.  With so much on the line for both teams, this should be a very entertaining series to watch.  SPLIT

Colorado College @ Michigan Tech
Last weekend the Tigers split (4-1W, 7-2L) with the MSUM Mavericks in Colorado Springs and the Huskies split (5-3L, 5-1W) with the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

The Huskies gave themselves a boost with a win over SCSU on Saturday, and gave the rest of the league hope at title with that win.  MTU has been better over the last month, going 4-4-0 in their last eight games, and CC has gone 3-2-3 over their last eight contests.  The Tigers can’t move up the standings, they are stuck at 8^th place and could slip to 9^th if they lose twice this weekend.  CC hasn’t been too good on the road this season going 4-8-3 away from home and the Huskies are 5-7-2 at home in MacInnis Student Ice Arena.  I’m going say both black and gold teams win.  SPLIT

#10 St. Could St.  @ #20 Wisconsin

Last weekend the Huskies split (5-3W, 5-1L) with the MTU Huskies in St. Cloud and the Badgers swept (4-3, 6-2) the UNO Mavericks in Omaha.

The other top teams will be watching the scoreboard for these games.  If the Huskies win on Friday, they will secure at least a share of the McNaughton Cup.  The Badgers have plans of their own; a win on Friday (coupled with a UNO loss or DU tie/loss) would secure them home ice.  The Badgers are 7-7-3 home this year, but they aren’t playing in the Kohl center this weekend, they are at coliseum, for a throwback weekend, and the Huskies are 7-6-1 on the road.  I’m not sure if the pressure got to SCSU last Saturday, because if they would have won, they would have already secured a share of the title.  This series should have the feel of a playoff series with the stakes high for both teams.  The Badgers need some quality wins to move up the rankings, and improve their odds of getting into the NCAA tournament.  SPLIT

#25 Nebraska-Omaha @ Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the Badgers (4-3, 6-2) in Omaha and the Bulldogs swept the UAH Chargers (4-2, 4-0) in Duluth.

The Mavericks saw their chance at the McNaughton Cup slip away last weekend.  UNO also saw their home ice spot put in jeopardy, with suffering a pair of losses in Omaha.  They need to put last weekend in the past and move on to this series and get back on track.  UMD is looking to continue to build momentum for the playoffs and what better way to do that by dragging UNO to the bottom half with a sweep in Duluth.  However, that is a tall order given Omaha’s scoring ability and the Bulldogs porous defensive play this year.  SPLIT

Dusting off an old post going into the last week of the season

Does anyone remember when @andyjohnsonb5q asked for our preseason breakout D of the year? @runwiththedogs @goon48 mine was Sustr!
— Matt Christians (@Matt_Christians) March 7, 2013

This tweet, caused me to look at this blog pre-season poll... How wrong does it appear might have been, at least as far as standings?

I participated in the 3rd Annual WCHA Blogger & Website Preseason Poll put on by A Tradition of Excellence and this how the pollsters think the WCHA will shake out this season. 

Team (1st Place Votes) Points

1. Minnesota (15)199

2. North Dakota (2)187

3. Denver (1)162

4. Wisconsin142

5. Minnesota-Duluth126

6. St. Cloud State119

7. Nebraska-Omaha97

8. Colorado College94.5

9. Michigan Tech78.5

10. Minnesota State-Mankato58

11. Bemidji State44

12. Alaska-Anchorage19

Player of the Year (17 Voters)

Nick Bjugstad, Minnesota (9)

Others receiving multiple votes:

Mark Zengerle, Wisconsin (4)

Erik Haula, Minnesota (2)

Rookie of the Year (17 Voters)

Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota (6)

Others receiving multiple votes:

Nic Kerdiles, Wisconsin (4)

Andy Welinski, Minnesota-Duluth (2)

Austin Farley, Minnesota-Duluth (2)

Defenseman of the Year (17 Voters)

Joey LaLeggia, Denver (9)

Others receiving multiple votes:

Nick Jensen, St. Cloud State (3)

Nate Schmidt, Minnesota (2)

Breakout Player of the Year (17 Voters)

Caleb Herbert, Minnesota-Duluth (2)

Andrej Sustr, Nebraska-Omaha (2)

13 others received a single vote.

The following bloggers  took part in this poll:

Timothy Boger, Kelly Green & White (North Dakota)

Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time (St. Cloud State)

Nathan Wells/@gopherstate, SB Nation MN/College Hockey News/SBNation (Minnesota/WCHA)

Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide (Michigan Tech)

Andrew Craig, College Hockey High Horse (Minnesota-Duluth)

Matt Christians/@Bulldog_Country, Bulldog Country (Minnesota-Duluth)

South Tex Gopher, Gopher Puck Live (Minnesota)

Steve Fetch/@fetch9, The Checking Line

Zack Friedli, Hockey State of Mind/College Hockey News (Minnesota-Duluth)

Eric Burton (Goon), Goon's World/The Hockey Writers (North Dakota)

GopherGuy33, Gopher Puck Live (Minnesota)

Andy Johnson, Bucky's 5th Quarter (Wisconsin)

Jeff Baker/@UNOMavMania, Mav Mania (Nebraska-Omaha)

Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey (Colorado College)

gmf1a, CC Tiger Hockey Forum (Colorado College)

Donn Schuschke (Sioux 7), Goon's World (North Dakota)

Matthew Semisch, USCHO

Chad, A Tradition of Excellence (North Dakota)

This was how I think the WCHA will shake out this season.

1. University of Minnesota

2. University of North Dakota

3. University of Wisconsin

4. Denver University

5. University of Minnesota Duluth

6. Colorado College

6. Michigan Tech University

8. University of Nebraska Omaha

9. Saint Cloud State University

10. Bemidji State University

11. Minnesota State University Mankato

12. University of Anchorage Alaska 

So look who's sitting in third place... Now my vote doesn't look too bad, at least there. 

Related articles

• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Tiebreaker Scenarios - February 25 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)

UND: The Weekend Ahead: (3/7-3/8)

This weekend, the University of North Dakota travels to Mankato, Minnesota to play the Minnesota State Mavericks in the final WCHA series “ever” between the two teams at the Verizon Wireless Center March 8-9, 2013. This is also, the last series of the regular season.

Matchup: North Dakota (18-9-7, 13-6-7 WCHA) #5 versus #10 Minnesota State Mavericks (21-10-3, 15-10-1 WCHA).

Dates: March 8-9, 2013

Times: March 8: 7:37 p.m. (CT); March 9: 7:07 p.m. (CT)

Radio: UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast: AmericaOneSports.com

TV: *None in North Dakota* (Locally only): Charter 226/826 HD (both nights) Comcast (Saturday only)
Series History: All-Time: UND leads the series, 37-10-7 (.750). UND leads the series 23-6-3 (.766), in Grand Forks, North Dakota. UND leads the series 14-4-4 (.727), in Mankato, Minnesota. North Dakota and Minnesota State have never played on a neutral ice. Series the last 10 games; UND Leads 9-1-0 (.900).

Players to Watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Corbin Knight (14g-30a—44pts), Danny Kristo (20g-24a—44pts), Rocco Grimaldi (12g-17a—29pts), Mark MacMillan (12g-12a—24pts), Carter Rowney (8g-14a—22pts), Drake Caggiula (6g-8a—14pts). Defense: Dillon Simpson (3g-17a—20pts), Derek Forbort (4g-9a—13pts), Joe Gleason (5g-11a—16pts) Jordan Schmaltz (3g-9a—12pts) Andrew MacWilliam (1g-9a—10pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 12-6-4, 2.30 GAA, .915 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 6-3-3, 2.53 GAA, .914 save percentage.

Minnesota State Mavericks: Forwards Matt Leitner (15g-25a—40pts), Eriah Hayes (18g-13a—31pts), Jean-Paul Lafontaine (8g-20a—28pts), Zach Lehrke (8g-15—23pts), Defense: Zach Palmquist (5g-16a—21pts) Josh Nelson (5g-8a—13pts), Brett Stern (2g-6a—8pts). Goalies: Stephon Williams 18-8-2, 1.82 GAA, .930 save percentage, Phil Cook 3-2-1, 3.49 GAA, .879 save percentage.

UND Officials Web Page

Minnesota State Web Page

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine…

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)

Monique Lamouruex snubbed for Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Finalist

Last week, when the list for the top-10 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Finalists came out, missing from the missing from the list was UND senior defenseman Monique Lamoureux (25g-39a—64pts), (Grand Forks, N.D./University of North Dakota).

The top-10 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Finalists are listed below, with their stats.

Looking at the list, I don’t know how Monique Lamoureux can be missing from this list; honestly, she is the top scoring defenseman in the country. Monique is leading the second place defenseman Megan Bozek from Minnesota by 12 points.

In case you’re wondering what the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is, it’s the equivalent of the Women’s College Hockey Hobey Baker Memorial Award that was named after a famous woman’s college hockey player that died of a rare blood disorder.

[From the webpage]  “An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey. Other selection criteria include outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration is also given to academic achievement and civic involvement.”

Looking at these criteria, I could see Monique Lamoureux’s as a legitimate candidate for this award, based on her play on the ice, as well as her work in the class room; Monique carries a 4.0 grade point average. Unfortunately, Monique will never get a chance to find out; she never received a second nomination for the award.

Not knowing what the criteria was, I asked what takes to be nominated for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. To be able to make the list, a player needs to be nominated by a two NCAA Division I woman’s coaches.

Wait, what? You mean to tell me, there isn’t a single second coach, in the WCHA, or in all of Division I women’s hockey, that didn’t noticed Monique Lamoureux racking up 64 points from the blue line this season, the same defenseman that is number two all-time for scoring in the WCHA. It just doesn’t seem right to me. This is also the same defenseman that somehow only able to make all-WCHA Second Team last year, leaving UND fans to scratch their head on that snub as well.

Breaking it down further, Jocelyn and Monique Lamoureux are ranked 1-2 all-time in the WCHA for points Jocelyne Lamoureux (125g-158a—284pts) and Monique Lamoureux (112g-152a—264Pts). On Saturday, with her (2g-4a—6pts) Monique also passed former Wisconsin Badgers forward Hillary Knight (143g-119a—262pts).

In closing, people will wonder, why do I care? I care because I want to see people that deserve to be recognized, receive the recognition that they deserve, nothing more, nothing less.
The Top-10 Patty Kazmaier finalists include:

1. Senior defenseman Megan Bozek (18g-34a—52pts), (Buffalo Grove, Ill./University of Minnesota).

2. Freshman forward Hannah Brandt (29g-48a—77pts), (Vadnais Heights, Minn./University of Minnesota).

3. Sophomore forward Alex Carpenter (31g-37a—68pts), (Reading, Mass./Boston College).

4. Sophomore forward Kendall Coyne (35g-30a—65pts), (Palos Heights, Ill./Northeastern University).

5. Senior forward Brianna Decker (29g-26a—55pts), (Dousman, Wis./University of Wisconsin).

6. Senior forward Jillian Dempsey (23g-20a—43pts), (Winthrop, Mass./Harvard University).

7. Junior forward Brianne Jenner (32a-31a—63pts), (Oakville, Ont./Cornell University).

8. Junior forward Amanda Kessel (43g-51a—94pts), (Madison, Wis./University of Minnesota.

9. Senior forward Jocelyne Lamoureux (35g-44a—79pts), (Grand Forks, N.D./University of North Dakota).

10. Senior goaltender Noora Raty (33-0-0, 0.92 GAA , save percentage .956, 15 shutouts. (Espoo, Finland/University of Minnesota

Cross-posted at Inside Hockey

Related articles

• Lamoureux Twins Leave UND in Good Hands (insidehockey.com)
• Lamoureux Sisters Lasso Mavericks (insidehockey.com)
• Lamoureux Snubbed for Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award (insidehockey.com)

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 21

Each week, I participate in a WCHA Web Media Poll that is put on by the Tech Hockey Guide with 11 other people that represent both the print media as well as the hockey blogosphere.

This week, the top and the bottom of the WCHA Web Media Poll remained the same. The Minnesota Gophers remained the number one team; as they received seven first place votes. Also, remaining in second place, was the Saint Cloud State Huskies who received four first place votes. North Dakota remained  in the third spot and also garnered one first place vote. Minnesota State moved up one place from five-to-four. Wisconsin did a two place move, vaulting from seventh-to-fifth place. Denver remained glued to the sixth place position. Lastly, the Red Mavericks from Nebraska-Omaha tumbled from fourth-to-seventh.

Here’s a look at the results the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 21:

Place	Team	pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1)	Minnesota (7)	138	1	22-7-5	1	3
2)	St. Cloud State (4)	129	2	20-13-1	1	4
3)	North Dakota (1)	126	3	18-9-7	1	3
4)	Minnesota State	103	5	21-10-3	2	7
5)	Wisconsin	93	7	16-11-7	4	6
6)	Denver	88	6	17-11-5	4	7
7)	Nebraska Omaha	79	4	18-14-2	5	7
8)	Colorado College	60	8	13-16-5	8	8
9)	Minnesota Duluth	47	9	12-17-5	9	10
10)	Michigan Tech	34	10	11-17-4	9	11
11)	Bemidji State	27	11	6-18-8	10	11
12)	Alaska Anchorage	12	12	4-21-7	12	12

Representing Name Publication Twitter

Alaska-Anchorage, Taylor Hall College Hockey News @thall907
Bemidji State, Troy Mills The Beaver Pond
Colorado College, Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey @Paisleyhockey
Denver, Mike Chambers, Denver Post @MChambersDP
Michigan Tech, Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide @TBraunTHG
Minnesota, Dan Myers, Minnesota Hockey Magazine @1DanMyers
Minnesota Duluth, Bruce Ciskie, The Ciskie Blog @BruceCiskie
Minnesota State, Chris Dilks, Western College Hockey @ChrisDilks
Nebraska-Omaha, Matt Semisch, Radio Free Omaha @matthewsemisch
North Dakota, Eric Burton The Hockey Writers Combine and Goon’s World @goon48
St. Cloud State, Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time @jclarson02
Wisconsin, Andy Johnson, Bucky’s 5th Quarter @andyjohnsonB5Q

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine 

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