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Plenty of Incentive for UMD Bulldogs in 2007-08
UMD to Host both WCHA Championship and NCAA Women's Frozen Four
Sept. 17, 2007
DULUTH, Minn. - With no short cuts to be found, the University of Minnesota Duluth withstood an onslaught of regular season injuries last winter to position themselves for a brilliant post-season run. The late-healing Bulldogs earned their fourth appearance in an NCAA national title game after upending Boston College 4-3 in double-overtime fashion in the NCAA semifinals. Posting an overall record of 24-11-4 one year ago, UMD will no doubt take a cue from its storied past when all eyes set on the WCHA Final Four and NCAA Frozen Four, both of which will be held on the home ice of the Bulldogs this spring.
Returning 15 letterwinners from last year's team, including two members of the 2007 WCHA All-Rookie Team (Kim Martin and Saara Tuominen), the Bulldogs will also add instant impact players with the addition of seven newcomers. Boasting what could be one of the best recruiting classes in UMD program history, expectations will again be high for the three-time NCAA national champions, expectations traditionally assumed by those who wear the jersey.
Shannon Miller, now in her ninth season behind the Bulldog bench as the only head coach UMD has ever employed, will look to build on her 200 career-wins without the leadership of six seniors and one sophomore from last year's roster. Captain Noemie Marin, assistant captains Jessica Koizumi, Jill Sales and Ashly Waggoner, as well as Suvi Vacker and Riita Schaublin set sail after leading the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament appearances in four years. German forward Michaela Lanzl finished her NCAA eligibility, joining Marin and Koizumi in scoring almost half (59) of UMD's 128 goals. Marin and Koizumi were the Bulldogs top offensive threats last winter (Marin netting 24 goals and 29 assists, and Koizumi adding 22 goals and 18 dishes), while Schaublin leaves UMD as it's all-time winning goaltender (65-27-8).
Left to carry the maroon and gold mantle of success will be a strong youth movement, which will highlight the Bulldogs lone senior, Karine Demeule, and of wealth of underclass experience, including four 2006 Olympians and 10 players currently members of their respective national teams.
"Every year we are fortunate to get good student-athletes that represent our institution well and put us in the running for the NCAA tournament," head coach Shannon Miller said. "However, for the second time in the short eight-year history of our program, we have what I would call an exceptional recruiting class coming in. My prediction is that this will be one of the best recruiting classes UMD has ever showcased. They are freshmen, but they are very talented and experienced freshmen that will make an impact immediately. This 2007-08 team will be one of the strongest and most exciting teams we have ever had."
Up Front: At first glance, the Bulldogs offense seems to have taken a hit with the graduation of Koizumi, Marin and Lanzl, who combined for 48 percent of UMD's goals last season. But a closer look reveals a crop of offensive talents that may instantly turn the Bulldogs into a perennial firepower. Sophomore forwards Saara Tuominen and Emmanuelle Blais, two of seven currently rostered UMD players to skate in all 39 games last winter, will suit up for their second season of collegiate play as the Bulldogs top returning offensive fixtures. Tuominen, a strong defensive forward with a knack of placing the puck, handed out 28 assists last year while adding 12 goals. Her 40 points during the 2006-07 campaign ranks first among returnees, and her ability to win face-offs will unquestionably make her one of the nation's most dominant centers.
Blais steps into her second season after proving she could carry some of the offensive load as a rookie. Blais, who will reign as the second highest returning point grabber with 35 (14+21=35), will be expected to be a key offensive contributor with her uncanny mix of speed, hands and toughness. Another key sophomore, Elin Holmlov, who suffered through a nagging injury last season, is looking to build on her 26-point (6+20=26) freshman performance. Junior Sara O'Toole, one of several Bulldogs bitten by the injury bug in 2006-07, will set her sights on leading an offensive charge, and attempt to top her 21 points (7+14=21) in 29 games one year ago.
Injecting some instant offense into the Bulldog ranks will be freshmen Haley Irwin, Laura Fridfinnson, members of the U-22 Canadian National Team, and Russian Olympian Iya Gavrilova. Irwin, a talented forward with the ability to set-up teammates and score big goals, is expected to be an impact player right away. Fridfinnson, a 5-8 forward with speed and vision will immediately yield offensive results, while the addition Gavrilova adds international experience and another threat to the Bulldogs arsenal as a strong skater with great hands and a talent for netting goals in important games.
On Defense: Despite losing three key defensemen to graduation, UMD will reload the blueline with a mixture of experience and the excitement of youth. The Bulldogs retain the services of junior Myriam Trepanier, the top point-getting defenseman last season (5+12=17), and one of two returning blueliners to skate in all 39 games in 2006-07. Heidi Pelttari, who only played the second half of the 2006-07 campaign, will anchor the ice as one of the Bulldogs strongest and most experienced players on the backline. Pelttari, who infuses a wealth of international experience courtesy of Team Finland, will also be joined on the blueline by freshman Jocelyn Laroque. Larocque, a member of the U-22 Canadian National team, possess the ability to skate and handle the puck that will instantly make her one of UMD's top defensemen. Tara Gray, another one of the Bulldogs five players invited to Team Canada's U-22 camp, will enhance UMD's depth on the blueline with a great shot from the point and ability to play all three zones.
In Goal: After splitting time between the pipes last season with Schaublin, sophomore Kim Martin, one of the premier netminders in all of women's hockey, will look to handle the brunt of UMD's puck-stopping duties. Martin complied an 11-7-2 record in 21 games as a freshman, and was cited as an All-WCHA Rookie Team and All-WCHA Second Team honoree. Following a debut season laced with injuries, a healthy Martin will be pivotal in a Bulldog run down championship lane. Joining UMD to assist Martin in goaltending duties will be Boston College transfer Johanna Ellison. Ellison, who was a Cloquet High School (Minn.) standout will be familiar with the confines of the Bulldogs home DECC ice, and will provide experience and some quality depth to the internationally renown Martin. Rounding out the trio of capable backstoppers, is Junior Amie Meyer, who finished the 2006-07 season with a perfect save percentage in four relief outings.
Home of the Championships: Drawing on past conclusions, the simple fact that Duluth will host the WCHA Playoff Championships for the first time and the NCAA Frozen Four for a second showing will make the 2007-08 stakes even higher for the Bulldogs. The only other time UMD has hosted a Frozen Four (2003), the Bulldogs skated away the national champions in front of a record crowd of 5,167, with a 4-3 double-overtime thriller over Harvard (and current Bulldog assistant Julie Chu). The 2007-08 squad will inevitably draw comparisons to the 2002-03 champions (which included UMD first assistant Caroline Ouellette). Both teams exhibit multiple Olympians, a streak of international flare, experience, and grit; the ingredients the Bulldogs are counting on to bring them home to the DECC ice on March 20, 2008.
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