UMDBulldogs.com Gopher Series Preview

It is perhaps the biggest rivalary in all of women's college hockey, and it is set to ignite again for the second time in three weeks at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center this weekend. The No. 4 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team will host the No. 6 University of Minnesota Saturday and Sunday in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association rematch of epic proportions. The league-leading Bulldogs and fifth place Gophers square off at 3:37 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

THE SERIES: Just three weeks ago, UMD (7-2-1. 6-2-0 WCHA) and Minnesota (6-3-1, 4-3-1 WCHA) played at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. The then-newly minted No. 1 ranked nationally Bulldogs met an inspired Gopher squad, who recorded an awakening 3-1, 5-1 series sweep. In Friday's 3-1 upset, UMD spent a season-high 27 minutes in the penalty box to chase Minnesota's power play unit throughout the match. Netminder Kim Martin nabbed a career-high 40 saves en route to posting double-digit saves in each regulation period for the third time in her career. Saturday's 5-1 slump was the most goals the Bulldogs have allowed in 35 contests.

The losses were the first and only WCHA setbacks of the season for UMD, and gave Minnesota the 15-21-4 all-time series advantage between the two teams. The Bulldogs have faced the Gophers a program record 40 times heading into this weekend, the most they have dropped the puck against any other team.

LAST WEEK: Both UMD and Minnesota enjoyed the last weekend off from NCAA competition, although the Bulldogs lent four current players and all three of its assistant coaches to four different respective national team rosters, while the Gophers loaned three players to Team USA.

Prior to the weekend off, UMD swept North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D. 9-2 and 3-2 on Nov. 3-4. The Bulldogs have now won nine straight against UND, and Saturday's nine-goal outburst was the most goals UMD has scored in 30 games, stretching back to last season's 9-1 win over Ohio State on Dec. 9, 2006.

The Gophers split with No. 1 Wisconsin in Madison two weekends ago, posting a 3-2 win on Nov. 3 to mark Minnesota's first win over the Badgers since the 2005-06 season when they defeated Wisconsin back on Feb, 10, 2006.

THE COACHES: Shannon Miller, who currently is the only coach in the WCHA to have racked-up 207 wins, is in her ninth season behind the Bulldog bench.

As the only head coach UMD has ever employed, Miller has amassed an impressive overall record of 207-59-25 and has led the Bulldogs to six NCAA playoff appearances and three straight NCAA Championship titles (2001, 2002 and 2003). She has led UMD into four NCAA Frozen Four berths, including the 2007 NCAA Championship game. No other hockey program in the country has won three consecutive NCAA titles.

For her efforts, Miller was named the 2000 and 2003 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year and the 2003 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Women’s Division I Coach of the Year. Along with the incredible NCAA runs, her Bulldogs have captured two WCHA regular season titles (2000 and 2003) and three WCHA playoff titles (2000, 2001 and 2003).

During Miller’s time at the Bulldog helm, UMD has produced eight first-team All-Americans, 11 Patty Kazmaier Award Finalists, two WCHA Players of the Year, three WCHA Student-Athletes of the year and one CoSIDA Academic All-American.

The Gophers are led by first-year head coach Brad Frost, who took over for former coach Laura Halldorson in August of 2007. Frost had been a Minnesota assistant coach for seven years prior to taking over the team.

IRWIN's EARNINGS: Freshman forward Haley Irwin was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week of Nov. 6 for her point-garnering performances against the University of North Dakota.

The Team Canada U-22 member netted a tally and four assists in the series opener before adding a goal in Sunday's contest. Irwin is currently tied for second as one of the top point getters for UMD (4-6=10) in her first eight collegiate appearances, and is ranked No. 3 in the nation in points per game among rookies with a 1.25 PPG average.

KILLING THEM SOFTLY: UMD has the third ranking penalty kill in the nation after having terminated 54 of 57 infractions successfully for a 94.7 kill rate. Minnesota has the fifth most potent power play in the country, scoring 11 times in 57 chances for a 24.4 percentage.

The Bulldogs rank fifth in the nation with 151 total penalty minutes, averaging 15.1 minutes a game with a man down, while the Gophers are right behind them in the sixth spot with 150 logged minutes for a 15.0 minutes a contest sporting a man disadvantage.

STATE OF CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Bulldogs and Gophers have won five of the last seven NCAA national championships between them. UMD is the only team in NCAA history to have won three-straight NCAA national titles (2001, 2002, 2003), while Minnesota is one of three teams to have won titles back-to-back rings (2004, 2005).

UMD is also the only program in the nation that has accrued three NCAA national titles and a NCAA second-place finish (2007).

TICKET SCALPERS: The Bulldogs and Gophers have seldom, if ever, played against each other in front of an empty rink. Seven of UMD's top-single attendance highs at the DECC have come against Minnesota, with the No. 3 spot through No. 9 Bulldog-Gopher games.

UMD is 8-5-3 all-time when Minnesota has visited Duluth, including 2-0 last season when the visiting Gophers fell at Mars Lakeview Arena 7-1 and 5-1 on Feb. 17-18.

BANNER OCCASSION: Saturday's contest againt Minnesota will feature a special pregame ceremony to honor the 2006-07 UMD women's hockey team. Chancellor Kathryn Martin and Athletic Director Bob Nielson will unveil the 2007 NCAA Second Place banner with a red carpet event prior to the dropping of the puck.

BULLDOG NOTES: UMD is carrying an eight game unbeaten streak at the DECC into this weekend's series...Sophomore Saara Tuominen, who just returned this week from captain duties for Team Finland at the Four Nations Cup, leads the Bulldogs with 14 points (5-9=14)...Freshman Haley Irwin and Iya Gavrilova both have notched 10 points (4-6=10) to rank second and third in UMD scoring...Tuominen has dished out more assists (5) facing Minnesota than any current player listed on the Bulldog roster...Sophomore Emmanuelle Blais has scored seven points (5-2=7) against the Gophers in seven appearances...Netminder Kim Martin made a career-high 40 saves against Minnesota in UMD's 3-1 loss three weeks ago...This weekend's I-35 showdown is the closest regular season back-to-back turnaround in the history of the rivalry (20 days)...The Bulldogs were on the right side of the law in their Nov. 3 9-2 thrashing of North Dakota, picking up a season-low two penalties for a mere four minutes in the box.

GOPHER NOTES: Minnesota is led by senior Erica McKenzie, who has picked up 15 points (9-6=15) through 10 games...Fellow senior and team captain Bobbi Ross has notched 12 points (5-7=12)...Ross has scored 123 points in her collegiate career coming into this weekend's series...Junior defenseman Rachel Drazan was named the USCHO Defensive Player of the Week for Nov. 6 after scoring the game winning goal for the Gophers and adding an assist to help Minnesota knock off Wisconsin 3-2...Drazan leads the Gophers with four power play goals this season.

YouTube Vids

I got bored tonight and went looking on youtube for some hockey videos

Im not sure who created this but it's a UMD Women's hockey photo montage of 'Simply The Best' including stuff from the last National Championship in Duluth... Maybe new memories can be made in March at the DECC.




Hockey Bloopers Video

November 12 USCHO.COM Poll

The poll, with first place votes in (*)'s

1 Wisconsin ( 6)
2 Mercyhurst ( 3)
2 New Hampshire ( 3)
4 Minnesota-Duluth
5 St. Lawrence
6 Minnesota
7 Harvard ( 1)
8 Dartmouth
9 Connecticut
10 Boston College
10 Princeton

Finland defeats Sweden 1-0, Canada Wins 2-0 over USA

Finland took third place, and Canada won the 4 Nations Cup tournament for, I believe, the 10th time now. The only notable Bulldog news from either game is Kim Martin stopped 29 of 30 shots vs Finland in the third place game, even though she lost.

Team USA 2 Finland 1, Sweden 3 Canada 5

Team USA beat Finland 2-1, while Canada beat Sweden 5-3 to set up the expected USA/Canada final.

UMD present and former:
For Finland, Saara Tuominen scored their lone goal, while Jenny Potter assisted on both Team USA goals.

Elin Holmlov scored a goal AND picked up 1 assist in the loss to Canada, with Erika Holst assisting on Holmlov's goal. She had been skating on their third line, until this game, when Maria Rooth was moved to third line in favor of a Erika Holst, Pernilla Winberg, Elin Holmlov line. Who knows what might have happened if she'd been on it their other two games.

Finland Shuts Out Sweden 3-0

Sweden again got shut out in the 4 Nations Cup tournament this afternoon.

Former Bulldog Mari Pehkonen scored twice in the 2nd period of this game.

Canda Defeats Team USA 6-3

UMD notes from a game that Team USA was never really in competitively (from the stats, I didn't get to look at the stats live):

Caroline Ouellette scored an assist in the first period..
Assistant Coach Julie Chu picked up a powerplay assist in the third period.

Other stuff from the game boxscore:

The game was 3-1 after the first period, but then Wisconsin goaltender Jessie Vetter gave up 2 quick goals in the first 3:24 of the second period and was chased from the game in favor of Megan Van Beusekom, who played at Princeton and currenty for the Minnesota Whitecaps

Blog Searching

Once in a while, I like to check and see just how people find this blog and read it. Lately the phrases used in yahoo and google searches to find this blog are 'UMD Women's Hockey' (duh!) and "Johanna Ellison."

Whatever method you use and end up here, thanks for viewing/reading this blog. ;)

Team USA Defeats Sweden 4-0

Kim Martin stopped 38 of 42 shots, but that wasn't nearly enough as Sweden got shut out by Team USA 4-0 in game 2 of the 4 Nations Cup. USA outshot the Swedes 42-24 for the game.

Jessica Koizumi picked up an ASSIST on a goal by Meghan Fardelmann in the third period.

Canada defeats Finland 4-1

Canada defeated Finland in the opening game of the 4 Nations Cup, 4-1.

UMD past or present:

Caroline Ouellette had 2 assists for Canada, and Mari Pehkonen scored Finland's lone goal.

You can check out box scores after the games, provided by Beyond the Dashers website, OR you can check out live stats on hockeycanada.ca, OR on Sweden's hockey website by clicking on 4 nations cup then clicking on 'live' next to the game for live stats.

Haley Irwin Rookie Of the Week

WCHA Rookie of the Week
Haley Irwin, Fr., F, Minnesota Duluth
Haley Irwin, a freshman forward from Thunder Bay, Ontario, had a goal in each game as Minnesota Duluth went into first place in the WCHA by sweeping North Dakota, 9-2 and 3-2, this past weekend.

Irwin had a goal and four assists in the series opener on Nov. 3 and finished the weekend with two goals and four assists. Irwin is currently tied for second as a point leader for Minnesota Duluth (4-6-10) in her first 10 collegiate games.

Also nominated this week were: Jen Schoullis, F, Minnesota; Lisa Edman, F, Minnesota State; Stephanie Roy, F, North Dakota; and Jenna Kilpatrick, Ohio State.

Click the blog title to see the rest of the weekly awards!

USAToday Women's Poll

1. New Hampshire 185 (15)
2. Mercyhurst 159
3. Wisconsin 155 (4)
4. St. Lawrence 118
5. Minnesota Duluth 114
6. Harvard 94
7. Minnesota 82
8. Connecticut 63
9. Ohio State 30
10. Boston College 18
Others receiving votes: Dartmouth 14, Clarkson 2


http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/hockey/usatwomen.htm

4 Nations Video Coverage?

Today's Canada vs Sweden exhibition game has been broadcast with live video though Sweden's hockey website website. They don't have it mentioned that far ahead but check tonight and tomorrow morning and just maybe the 4 Nations Cup games will be broadcast with live video online! The Play By Play is in Swedish, but if you're reading this.. you already understand hockey enough where the language it's broadcast in doesn't matter. So, click the link OR the blog title to go to the website and see if there's video. I'm going to try and update when I find out myself also.

USCHO.Com Weekly Rankings/Poll 11-5-07

The Poll is out and UMD is Ranked 4th still (tied for 4th last week.)

The poll (first place votes):

1. New Hampshire (10)
2. Wisconsin (3)
3. Mercyhurst (1)
4. UMD
5. St. Lawrence
6. Minnesota
7. Harvard
8. Connecticut
9. Dartmouth
10. Boston College- Ohio State tie.

No teams are listed as 'others receiving votes' this week.


The USA Today poll comes out tomorrow afternoon.

UMD Off/Bye Week

While a most of the Bulldog's will have a bye week this week to rest or whatever else, it's 4 Nations Cup time for Heidi Pelttari, Elin Holmlov, Kim Martin, and Saara Tuominen. Also joining them in Leksand, Sweden for the 4 Nations cup are coaches Caroline Ouellette(Canada of course) and Julie Chu. Jessica Koizumi makes what I beleive is her first appearance with the TOP tier national team for Team USA also. Every time she got to camps it seemed she ended up injured, but she's playing in this one. Once again Jenny Potter will also be part of Team USA's roster.

Team USA put out a nice Media Guide in .pdf format with roster bios. Check it out!

Team Sweden and Team Finland connections to UMD Bulldogs are once again big in this tournament, besides Pelttari, Holmlov, Martin, and Tuominen. Mari Pehkonen, while only playing one season in Duluth before transferring to Providence, is again on the Team Finland roster.

Maria Rooth and Erica Holst, as always it seems, join Martin and Holmlov on the Team Sweden national team roster.

Pretty much the only place to get much information on the 4 Nations Cup seems to be HockeyCanada.ca. Complete rosters and schedules are listed there.. and I don't believe there is *ANY* live radio coverage of this tournament, but I'm looking to find out.

YouTube videos to check out

I'm not sure how relevant they'll ever be.. BUT YouTube and Google are working together by allowing people to place a youtube window on blogs etc, where they SAY videos with relevance to subject matter will be posted. Check out the YouTube videos underneath blog entries to see how well they do. If the videos don't turn out to have any relevance I'll remove them for sure.

UMDBulldogs.com SWEEP STORY!

The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team netted just a third of the goals Sunday afternoon that it had the day before, but it was one goal too many for the University of North Dakota.

The Bulldogs edged out the Sioux 3-2 on the ice of the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, ND to sweep UND in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association clash. The win extends UMD's current winning streak over the Sioux (2-5-3) to nine straight, and gives head coach Shannon Miller an impressive 18-1 record against North Dakota all-time.

UMD got on the board first when freshman forward Laura Fridfinnson scored her fourth goal of the season, connecting on a pass from fellow U-22 Team Canada mate Jocelyne Larocque at the 11:02 mark to take a 1-0 lead. It was an advantage the Bulldogs would never relinquish, extending it just five minutes and 30 seconds later as freshman forward Haley Irwin scored her second goal of the weekend, compliments of an assist from UMD's point leader Saara Tuominen (5-9=14).

After UMD took a 2-0 lead into the locker room, North Dakota pulled together an even strength goal 9:11 seconds into the second stanza to force the stakes higher at 2-1. But the Bulldogs relied yet again on a new friend they appear to have made over the weekend; a highly-effective power play. UMD scored its fifth goal of the series with a man advantage when sophomore defenseman Heidi Pelttari's slap-shot found the back of the net. Freshman Iya Gavrilova and Laroque assisted on the 16:30 goal, which would prove to be the game-winner when it gave the Bulldogs a fleeting 3-1 cushion.

North Dakota would respond just one minute later when Jodi Holland finished her second tally of the night to tighten the game at 3-2. Despite a flurry of action in the final few minutes of the third period in front of the Bulldog net, netminder Joanna Ellison secured her third victory in a UMD jersey, making 12 saves in the process. UND's Brittany Kirkham finished the contest with 25 saves Sunday to finish the series with 64 saves.

The Bulldogs (7-2-1, 6-2), will take a well deserved break this week, with no games scheduled this weekend. Four UMD players -- Tuominen, Pelttari, Elin Holmlov and Kim Martin -- and all three of the Bulldog assistant coaches -- Caroline Ouellette, Julie Chu and Jessica Koizumi -- will be hitting the ice with their respective national teams in the Four Nations Cup, held in Leksand, Sweden.

UMD next returns to the ice Nov. 17-18 when they host interstate rival the University of Minnesota. The puck will drop on their storied rivilary at 3:37 p.m.

UMD Finishes Sweep of North Dakota

UMD wins game 2 of the series in North Dakota 3-2, with Johanna Ellison picking up the win. I'll post the UMDBulldogs.com story tonight when it's online.

UMDBulldogs.com Saturday story

Because the News Tribune isn't covering this weekend's series (or at least not Saturday's game):

http://www.umdbulldogs.com/womens/hockey/index.php?sect_rank=1&story_id=3554

BULLDOGS UNLEASH OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER ON SIOUX IN 9-2 WIN

Last Updated: Saturday, November 3, 2007 5:25 PM
What a difference a week makes.

The No. 4 University of Minnesota Duluth women´s hockey team sent a strong memo to the rest of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Saturday afternoon by trouncing the University of North Dakota 9-2 in the confines of the Ralph Englestad Arena, in Grand Forks, ND.

Just one week after being held to a season-low two goals in a series, the Bulldogs exploded on the Sioux for a season-high nine goals in a contest, courtsey of six different UMD players. Eleven players in all recorded a point in the outing, and it was the first time in 30 games the Bulldogs have hit the nine-goal mark. UMD last netted nine tallies a season ago when they took Ohio State to task 9-1 on Dec. 9, 2006.

Junior defenseman Myriam Trepanier warmed up the puck first at the 6:01 mark of the opening period when she ripped a shot from the point off a pass from Haley Irwin and Heidi Pelttari. Trepanier's goal was the first of four power play goals to come from the Bulldogs, the most they have put over the goal line all season.

North Dakota would answer with its own power play goal just two minutes later when a diving Casie Hanson would even the game at 1-1, 7:58 minutes into the contest.

Enter junior forward Tawni Mattila, who made only her third appearance in a Bulldog jersey Saturday after sitting out the last six games due to injury. Mattila tucked home a pass from Pelttari to give UMD a 2-1 edge at the 10:45 mark. Just five minutes later, freshman forward Iya Gavrilova scored the Maroon and Gold's game-winning goal and second power play goal of the afternoon when she made good on a brillant pass from Saara Tuominen and Emmanuelle Blais.

Though the Sioux would jump back on the board with just less than three minutes left to play in the first period to come within a single goal (3-2), the Bulldogs' Sara O'Toole punished North Dakota by scoring another power play goal with just ten ticks left on the clock to run UMD's tally to 4-2, and from there, the Bulldogs would never look back.

Gavrilova scored the only goal of the second period when she beat UND's Brittany Kirkham off a pass from Pelttari and Irwin. The Bulldog defense allowed a season-low five shots in the second stanza to help stifle any hope of a Sioux upset showing.

UMD would score four more goals in the third period -- two from Tuominen, Gavrilova's third of the night, and a nice finish by Irwin -- to push the outing completely out of the reach of North Dakota. The Bulldogs helped Johanna Ellison grab her second win of the season after turning away ten saves, and helped themselves by limiting their visits to the penalty box to a mere two infractions for a season rock-bottom of four minutes. The Bulldogs also landed a season-high 50 shots on goal to UND's 30.

UMD (6-2-1, 5-2) will again lace up its skates tomorrow when it finishes up its series with the Sioux (2-4-3, 2-2-1). Game-time for the WCHA contest is slated for 2:07 p.m.

UMD Defeats North Dakota Easy.. 9-2 in First of Weekend Series

North Dakota kept it close in the first period, with the period ending 4-2, and UMD swarmed the rest of the game, winning 9-2... UMD outshoots NoDak 50-30 for the game, with most of the Sioux shots in the first period.

Amy Meyer played a good part of the third period, seeing her first action of the season. I only got to listen to parts of the game (on the radio), and will post the News Tribune's story when it's online.

Umdbulldogs.com North Dakota Series Preview

The old sports adage that says a team is only as good as its last game need not apply to the No. 4 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team. The Bulldogs aren't looking back, and are ready to hit the ice this weekend when they travel to Grand Forks, N.D. to face the University of North Dakota. The puck will drop in both WCHA contests at 2:07 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the Ralph Englestad Arena.

THE SERIES: The Bulldogs (5-2-1, 4-2) own a 16-1 all-time advantage over the Sioux (2-3-3, 2-1-1), including a current seven-game winning streak. The one and only time UMD has ever dropped a contest to UND was in the DECC on Feb. 11, 2006, when North Dakota broke a nine-game winless streak against the Bulldogs, handing them a 2-0 setback.

UMD swept the Sioux twice last season, and netted a total of 18 goals while allowing UND only one in four outings. The Bulldogs averaged 4.5 goals per game against the Sioux during the 2006-07 campaign, and then freshman Emmanuelle Blais racked up seven points in four games (1-6=7) to help the Bulldogs reach that mark. Blais netted a career-high four assists against North Dakota in UMD's Oct. 15 5-0 bashing at the DECC.

LAST WEEK: The then No. 1 Bulldogs lost twice at the hands of the Minnesota Gophers last weekend in Ridder Arena, dropping their all-time record in Ridder to a lowly 3-7-1. In Friday night's 3-1 defeat, sophomore goaltender Kim Martin made a career-high 40 saves en route to posting double-digit saves in each regulation period for the third time in her career. Saara Tuominen has now notched more assists (five) against the Gophers than any current UMD player after assisting on Emmanuelle Blais' second period goal Friday night. Saturday's 5-1 loss was the most goals the Bulldogs have given up in 35 contests.

North Dakota played to a 0-0 overtime tie last Friday before dropping a 4-3 decision to Ohio State on Saturday in Grand Forks. The Sioux, who have never beaten the Buckeyes, earned their first tie against OSU since Nov. 18, 2005. Sophomore netminder Brittany Kirkham, who has recorded three shutouts this season against WCHA opponents, stopped 75 of 79 shots over the weekend.

THE COACHES: Shannon Miller, who currently is the only coach in the WCHA to have racked-up 205 wins, is in her ninth season behind the Bulldog bench.

As the only head coach UMD has ever employed, Miller has amassed an impressive overall record of 204-59-24 and has led the Bulldogs to six NCAA playoff appearances and three straight NCAA Championship titles (2001, 2002 and 2003). She has led UMD into four NCAA Frozen Four berths, including the 2007 NCAA Championship game. No other hockey program in the country has won three consecutive NCAA titles.

For her efforts, Miller was named the 2000 and 2003 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year and the 2003 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Women’s Division I Coach of the Year. Along with the incredible NCAA runs, her Bulldogs have captured two WCHA regular season titles (2000 and 2003) and three WCHA playoff titles (2000, 2001 and 2003).

During Miller’s time at the Bulldog helm, UMD has produced eight first-team All-Americans, 11 Patty Kazmaier Award Finalists, two WCHA Players of the Year, three WCHA Student-Athletes of the year and one CoSIDA Academic All-American.

The Sioux are coached by first-year head coach Brian Idalski. Idalski was an assistant at St. Cloud State University prior to his hiring at North Dakota last April.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: The Bulldogs will be without the services of sophomore goaltender Kim Martin and her Team Sweden mate, Elin Holmlov this weekend. The two are gearing up for the 2007 Four Nations Cup in Leksand, Sweden, where they will face UMD assistants Caroline Ouellette (Team Canada), Julie Chu and Jessica Koizumi (Team USA). Saara Tuominen and Heidi Pelttari will play for Team Finland, but will play for the Bulldogs this weekend before heading to Sweden.

HOLDING THE SIOUX SCORELESS: The Bulldogs have held North Dakota scoreless seven times out of their 17 meetings, including three times last season. In all, the Sioux have only scored 14 goals against UMD total all-time, while the Bulldogs scored 18 goals against UND during the 2006-07 season alone.

EMPTY NETS: UMD, who went its first 262:42 minutes of action this season without allowing a single point, has found common ground with North Dakota's Brittany Kirham, who played 201.23 minutes before her scoreless streak was snapped in last Saturday's loss to Ohio State.

LEADING LINE: UMD's first line, which consists of sophomores Saara Tuominen, Elin Holmlov and freshman Iya Gavrilova, has accounted for 24 of the Bulldogs 56 points. The three have tallied seven goals and 17 assists between them.

BRUSING BULLDOGS: UMD is third in the nation in penalty minutes with 135, averaging 16.9 minutes in the box a game. The Bulldogs affection for infractions has led to a penalty kill unit which is 47-of-49, for 95.9 percent, good enough for second in the nation.

Freshman forward Iya Gavrilova has been booked seven times for 25 penalty minutes, the most of any Bulldog so far this season.

North Dakota currently ranks No. 10 nationally with a 89.7 penalty kill effectiveness, having held opponents scoreless 35-out-of-39 violations.

NORTH DAKOTA NICE: Three Bulldogs have tallied up career-highs against the Sioux, including sophomore Emmanuelle Blais. who dished out a career-topping four assists last season on Oct. 15 to help UMD beat UND 5-0. Senior forward Karine Demeule knotched a career-best three points against North Dakota on Feb. 6, 2005, and junior defenseman Myriam Trepanier netted a career-high two goals against the Sioux on Feb. 10, 2006.

BULLDOG NOTES: UMD has been held to a single goal a contest four times this year, and is 2-2 in those outings...The Bulldogs two goals this weekend was the fewest goals UMD has scored in a series since netting just two against Wisconsin last season on Feb. 2-3...The Bulldogs are averaging 2.75 goals a game, while allowing just 1.25...In the nine series sweeps UMD has ever been on the losing end on, five have come at the hands of Minnesota...Sophmore linemates Saara Tuominen and Elin Holmlov are tied at the top as the Bulldogs leading scorers with nine points each (3-6=9), tying them at No. 7 in the WCHA...Kim Martin ranks first in save percentage in the WCHA, registering .951...Martin is No. 2 in goals against average, coming in at 1.49 goals a game.

KIRKHAM AWARDED USCHO.COM HONOR: North Dakota sophomore goaltender Brittany Kirkham was named the USCHO.com's National Defensive Player of the Week following her performance against Ohio State last weekend. Kirkham stopped 75-of-79 shots and held the Buckeyes scoreless in Friday night's battle. Kirkham has only allowed four goals in WCHA play so far this season.

SIOUX NOTES: UND leads the conference after only allowing only four goals against them four games into WCHA play....Brittany Kirkham shattered North Dakota's old scoreless streak of 112:01 when she stood between the pipes for 201:23 minutes of play without allowing a point...The Sioux earned their first conference sweep ever two weeks ago when they beat Bemidji State in two outings.

UMD @ North Dakota, Live Video Available

As with the Gopher series last week, there is live game video available for this weekend's UMD series in North Dakota. Just CLICK HERE and then go to the signup page. It's 9.95 for a month, which would include the 2 games in North Dakota obviously. You can get a 24 hour pass for 5.95 if there's just one game you are able to watch instead of both.

USAToday's 10/30 Women's Poll

The new USA Today poll is out, UMD is 5th in this one as well (tied for 4th in the USCHO.com poll of course.) Click the link to view the poll page, the link works each week for the update Tuesday afternoons.

1. Wisconsin 183 (15)
2. New Hampshire 168 (3)
3. Mercyhurst 153 (1)
4. St. Lawrence 117
5. Minnesota Duluth 106
6. Harvard 96
7. Minnesota 87
8. Connecticut 61
9. Boston College 47
10. Ohio State 14


Others receiving votes: Dartmouth, 9; St. Cloud St., 2; Princeton, 1; Rensselaer Polytechnic, 1.

UMD 4th in New USCHO Poll, 10-29-07

The poll for this week, after Minnesota swept the Bulldogs down at Ridder Arena.

1. Wisconsin (13 1st votes)
2. New Hampshire (1)
3. Mercyhurst (1)
4. UMD (Minnesota Duluth)
4. St. Lawrence
6. Minnesota
7. Harvard
8. Connecticut
9. Boston College
10. Ohio State University

Other receiving votes: Dartmouth 10, St. Cloud State 3, Princeton 2

The USA Today poll comes out on Tuesdays each week so I'll get that when it's released tomorrow afternoon.

Duluth News Tribune Gophers sweep ’Dogs

Gophers sweep ’Dogs
Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune
Published Sunday, October 28, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota forwards Erica McKenzie and Bobbi Ross gave Minnesota Duluthplenty of headaches this weekend.

The tandem propelled Minnesota to a 5-1 win Saturday over UMD to sweep the Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Ridder Arena. On Friday, the 10th-ranked Gophers beat the top-ranked and then-unbeaten Bulldogs3-1 behind two goals from Ross and two assists from McKenzie.

On Saturday, McKenzie scored two first-period goals off assists from Ross as the Gophers jumped out to a3-0 lead over the Bulldogs. In the second period, theseniors on the first line traded roles with McKenzie assisting on Ross’ goal.

On the first goal Saturday, Ross found McKenzie behind the UMD defense for a short-handed breakaway goal.

“They both stay on in penalty kill,” Minnesota coach Brad Frost said. “Bobbi reads the puck very well, and when Erica gets the puck on her stick it usually ends up in the other net. They were dialed in this weekend.”

McKenzie is tied for the WCHA scoring lead with nine goals and five assists, while Ross is fifth in the league with five goals and six assists.

“We were put together at the beginning of the year and we’ve been finding each other, and it showed on the scoreboard,” McKenzie said. “To have the No. 1 team here and we sweep them and beat them by a couple of goals each game is huge.”

It was the first time UMD (5-2-1 overall, 4-2 WCHA) was swept since Dec. 2, 2006, against Harvard.

“[Minnesota] wanted it so bad,” UMD coach Shannon Miller said. “We were horrible, especially on defense, and defense is all commitment and work ethic.”

Minnesota, which is the only team the Bulldogs have a losing record against, owns a 21-15-4 series lead over UMD.

“They worked harder than us,” Karine Demeule, UMD’s senior captain, said. “I think we were overexcited after the Mercyhurst [win and tie on Oct. 20-21] and the [U.S. College Hockey Online] ranking. That is a reason why we were swept, but there were many of them.”

Miller thought Minnesota’s offensive style of play was better than UMD’s. Minnesota (5-2-1, 3-2-1) outshot the Bulldogs 35-26. Kelli Blankenship and Brittany Francis scored the other Minnesota goals.

“We had some good [shots], but we are too fancy, too pretty.” Miller said. “Sometimes you have to just shoot and crash the net, and that is what Minnesota did.”

Freshman center Haley Irwin led the Bulldogs with nine shots, and Miller put her, Saara Tuominen and Iya Gavrilova together on the same line to generate offense with UMD trailing 4-0 in the second period.

The Bulldogs entered the game as the most penalized team in the WCHA with an average of 18 minutes a game. They killed six minutes of penalties on Saturday.

“[Penalty kill] was the only positive,” Miller said. “It was nice to generate something there.”

Freshman defender Joss Lerocque scored her first career goal and the only one for the Bulldogs on Saturday.

UMD down 4-0 middle of the second period

UMD's losing 4-0 so far in the second period of the Saturday game.. this is a BAD weekend .. players are standing around and not doing their jobs on the ice... I'll post the News Tribune article tomorrow morning of course but I stopped watching it online for this game, I might post the final score tonight sometime tonight of course

News Tribune Friday Game Article

Women's hockey: Bulldogs’ view from the top is short-sighted
Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune

Published Saturday, October 27, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey coach Shannon Miller let her team enjoy its No. 1 ranking on Monday and Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Miller asked her team to forget the U.S. College Hockey Online poll position and the win and tie against then second-ranked Mercyhurst on Oct. 20-21. She needed the Bulldogs to focus on their upcoming Western Collegiate Hockey Association series against Minnesota.

“We began the season making strides,” said Miller, whose team moved from No. 5 to No. 1 Monday after a 5-0-1 start. “We had a big high last weekend against Mercyhurst and the high of being No. 1, but we had a hangover.”

Minnesota forward Bobbi Ross took advantage of that hangover by scoring two goals as the Gophers upset Minnesota Duluth 3-1 Friday night at Ridder Arena.

“When you’re ranked No. 1, you have to play with confidence and play harder,” said UMD goalie Kim Martin, who had a career-high 40 saves. “We didn’t do that.”

The 10th-ranked Gophers (4-2-1 overall, 2-2-1 WCHA) outshot UMD 43-20, including 16-5 in the third period while UMD killed 11 minutes of penalties.

“We took some really disappointing penalties,” Miller said. “We were on penalty kill a lot, and when we weren’t on penalty kill we were tired from being on it. It was the worst game we’ve played this year.”

The Bulldogs (5-1-1, 4-1) trailed 2-1 through two periods after Minnesota goals from Ross and Rachael Drazen.

“We got chances on penalty kill and took advantages of opportunities,” said Ross of her two short-handed goals. “Erica McKenzie made two [saves] and made a great pass to me [on the first goal].”

UMD’s lone goal came from Emmanuelle Blais on a power play in the second period. In the final minute of the first period, UMD forward Elin Holmlov had a one-on-one opportunity, but her shot hit the pads of Minnesota goalie Jenny Lura. Iya Gavrilova’s ensuing rebound attempt also hit Lura’s pads.

“We certainly knew the danger of their team,” Minnesota coach Brad Frost said. “We tried to take away their time and space [with the puck]. It was the best we’ve played all year.”

In the third period, UMD had five meager shots and were without Gavrilova, who received a game misconduct penalty for checking from behind at 10:02.

“When one team is on penalty kill all night, they are not going to win,” said Miller, whose team had eight penalties and tied a season low for goals. “It’s pretty simple.”

The series concludes at 3 p.m. today at Ridder Arena.

“You learn way more when you lose,” Miller said. “Now, I have the team’s attention.”

Gophers down UMD 3-1

UMD lost 3-1, without giving up a 5 on 5/even strength goal. Bobby Ross scored 2 shorthanded goals (the last one with 31 seconds left in the 3rd period to seal the victory for Minnesota.)

Former Bulldog Rachel Drazan scored the game winning goal on the powerplay.

UMD was outshot huge, 43-20 for the game, keeping UMD below 10 shots per game.

Since I only watched the game via Minnesota's online video feed through 'Gold Zone'...I can't really give any mention on the flow of the game or anything like that.

UMDBulldogs.com Gopher Series Preview

Click the title to see the entire .pdf preview

some highlights:

With five of the seven NCAA national championships split between them (3 for the Bulldogs, 2 for the Gophers), the historic rivalry between the unbeaten No. 1 University of Minnesota Duluth and the No. 10 University of Minnesota continues this weekend in Ridder Arena, in Minneapolis, Minn. The puck will drop in Friday's contest at 6:07 p.m., and again Saturday at 3:07 p.m.

THE SERIES: The Bulldogs have played only one other team as many times as they have hit the ice against the Gophers (Ohio State is the other). UMD and Minnesota have faced-off 38 times, with the Gophers having a 15-19-4 all-time edge. Last season, each team exchanged home series sweeps, knotting at 2-2 in regular WCHA play.

After Minnesota swept UMD 5-3 and 1-0 in Ridder in early November, the Bulldogs bounced back in a preview of what was to come when they smoked the Gophers 7-1 and 5-1 in Mars Lakeview Arena Feb. 17 and 18. Minnesota upended UMD in overtime 3-2 at Ridder on March 3 in the second round of the WCHA playoffs, but it was the Bulldogs that would get a call from the NCAA to join the playoffs despite the loss a week later enroute to their fourth NCAA Final Four championship game appearance.

LAST WEEK: Unbeaten UMD (5-0-1, 4-0) knocked off No. 2 Mercyhurst College last Sunday 3-1, and tied the Lakers Saturday, 1-1. Sophomore goaltender Kim Martin made a career-tying 34 saves in the 1-1 draw, and turned away another 28 shots in the Bulldogs Sunday win for 62 saves overall on the weekend. Sophomore forward Elin Holmlov scored two goals and two assists in the series, and the Bulldogs, who came from behind in both contests, scored two power play goals on the weekend to double their season total (4).

Minnesota (3-2-1. 1-2-1) earned its fifth-straight split against Ohio State last weekend in Columbus, Ohio, winning 7-4 on Oct. 19, but falling 4-1 on Oct. 20 for the split. Seven different players scored for the Gophers in Friday's win over the Buckeyes.

BULLDOG BITS: The Bulldogs are 0-5 against the Gophers in Minneapolis since Oct. 29, 2005, when they trashed Minnesota 6-0...UMD last held the No. 1 spot in the national polls on Dec. 6, 2005...Netminder Kim Martin, who tied her career-best in saves last Saturday against Mercyhurst, reached the 34 save mark previously last Nov. 3 against Minnesota in the Bulldogs 5-3 loss....Saara Tuominen and Laura Fridfinnson are No. 2 and No.3 in the WCHA in point scoring with six points each...Martin is second in the nation and first in the WCHA in save percentage (.986) and goals against average (0.39).

GOPHER NOTES: Senior forward Erica McKenzie ranks third in the nation in goals per game, averaging 1.17 with seven goals in six games...Goaltender Kim Hanlon faced a career-high 34 shots against UMD last Feb. 17 in the Bulldogs 7-1 win over the Gophers...The seven goals was the most goals Hanlon has allowed in her career...Minnesota features former UMD defensemen Rachel Drazan, who is in her first full season of elgiblity with the Gophers.

Elin Holmlov WCHA Offensive Player of the week!

Click on the title to view the entire WCHA.COM weekly release :)

WCHA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

WCHA Offensive player of the week

Elin Holmlov, So., F, Minnesota Duluth
Elin Holmlov, a sophomore forward from Knivista, Sweden, had two goals and two assists for four scoring points this past weekend to help the University of Minnesota Duluth knock off No. 2-ranked Mercyhurst College on Sunday (Oct. 21) and force a draw last Saturday (Oct. 20).

Both of Holmlov's goals pulled the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs even with the Lakers. She played a part in every goal the unbeaten Bulldogs had on the weekend.

So far this season, Holmlov is tied for fourth in overall scoring amon g WCHA players with nine points in six games, including three goals and six assists.

Also nominated this week were: Lindsay Macy, F, Minnesota State; Melissa Jacques, F, North Dakota; Erin Keys, F, Ohio State; Felicia Nelson, F, St. Cloud State; and Jinelle Zaugg, F, Wisconsin; and

WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

Brittany Kirkham, So., G, North Dakota
Brittany Kirkham, a sophomore goaltender from Nepean, Ontario, made 23 saves last Friday (Oct. 20) to shutout Bemidji State, 1-0, for her second career shutout and then followed it up with 31 saves last Saturday (Oct. 21) in another shutout of BSU, this time 3-0, to lead the University of North Dakota to its first-ever Western Collegiate Hockey Association two-game sweep and the Fighting Sioux's first-ever back-to-back shutouts.

On the 2007-08 season, Kirkham ranks third among WCHA goaltenders for all games in goals-against average (1.73) and saves percentage (.945, 172 saves). She has played a total of 347:43 minutes and owns a 2-2-2 record.

Also nominated this week were: Kim Martin, G, Minnesota Duluth; Holly Snyder, F, Minnesota State; Tessa Bonhomme, D, Ohio State; and Kendall Newell, G, St. Cloud State.

WCHA Rookie of the Week

Mallory Deluce, Fr., F, Wisconsin
Mallory Deluce, a freshman forward from London, Ontario, helped the University of Wisconsin Badgers respond to their first loss in nearly 11 months with a four-point performance against St. Cloud State last Saturday (Oct. 21).

After being held without a point last Friday, Deluce recorded her first career three-goal hat trick and added an assist on Saturday. Deluce scored her second game-winning goal of the season and her team-leading third power-play goal.

For the season, Deluce leads the nation in goals scored with eight and shares the national point lead at 11 points with two other players, including her linemate and fellow UW rookie Hilary Knight.

Also nominated this week were: Emily West, F, Minnesota; Haley Irwin, F, Minnesota Duluth; Nina Tikkinen, F, Minnesota State; and Shannon Reilly, D, Ohio State.

UMD #1 in USA Today Poll Also

Click the link to visit the new poll's page.. UMD is indeed ranked #1 in this poll as well!

1. Minnesota Duluth (12)
2. Wisconsin (6)
3. Mercyhurst
4. New Hampshire
5. Harvard (1)
6. St. Lawrence
7. Boston College
8. Connecticut
9. Dartmouth
10. Minnesota

Others receiving votes: Ohio State 17, St. Cloud State 3, Clarkson 1.

UMD RANKED #1 IN COUNTRY, USCHO.COM POLL!

After a tie and win over former #2 ranked Mercyhurst, and with St. Lawrence and Wisconsin both having losses now.. UMD Women have jumped to the #1 ranking in the USCHO.COM poll!

The rest of the poll and points by vote...

1. Minnesota-Duluth 136
2. Wisconsin 130
3. New Hampshire 121
4. Mercyhurst 110
5. St. Lawrence 83
6. Harvard 79
7. Boston College 46
8. Connecticut 44
9. Dartmouth 31
10. Minnesota 19

Others receiving: Ohio State 17, St. Cloud State 8, Clarkson 1

DNT's Sunday Game Story

As always, click the link and visit the News Tribune site if you want.

Dogs show Mercy
Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune
Published Monday, October 22, 2007

Minnesota Duluth forwards Emmanuelle Blais and Haley Irwin went from injured observers to major contributors Sunday against Mercyhurst.

Blais, who missed the first four games of the season with a high ankle sprain, scored the game-winning goal in the second period as the fifth-ranked Bulldogs beat the second-ranked Lakers 3-1 in a nonconference game before427 fans at the DECC.

“It’s good to be back,” said Blais, a sophomore from LaSalle, Quebec, who scored35 points in 39 games last season. “It’s fun to be in there, especially against a good team. … It was hard to be out.”

Irwin, who sat out the Bemidji State series Oct. 13-14 with a concussion, assisted on Blais’ goal and scored her own in the third period.

“It’s really important to have your best players when you’re playing the No. 2 team [in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll],” UMD coach Shannon Miller said. “They stepped up and played great.”

Miller believed Irwin, a freshman from Thunder Bay, Ontario, also played exceptionally well in 1-1 tie with Mercyhurst on Saturday.

“[Irwin] couldn’t even ride a [stationary] bike earlier this week without dizziness,” Miller said. “I thought she dominated [Saturday and Sunday].”

UMD (5-0-1) scored in each period Sunday and received three points from sophomore winger Elin Holmlov.

“I thought we played three spectacular periods as a team,” Miller said. “It was different [Saturday]. We were individual and not disciplined. [Sunday] we were disciplined and together.”

The Bulldogs allowed 35 shots, while attempting zero in the second period of Saturday’s game, but on Sunday, limited Mercyhurst (5-1-1) to 28 shots on goal and held a 10-6 shot edge in the second and a 14-10 lead in the third.

“Our defense has played effectively,” Miller said. “We have had four shutouts and held Mercyhurst to two goals. ... This series was extremely important for the NCAA [tournament]. [The Mercyhurst series], the Wisconsin and St. Lawrence [games] are the three most important [matchups] this season.”

Mercyhurst of Erie, Pa., and College Hockey America took a 1-0 lead off a Meghan Agosta breakaway goal at 9:28 in the first period, but Holmlov countered with a breakaway goal with six seconds left in the period.

UMD will play a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Minnesota (3-2-1) at 6:07 p.m. Friday and 2:07 p.m. Saturday.

--
I'm checking the article's listing of game times for the Goofer series.. It's been listed as 7:07 and 3:07 everywhere until this newspaper article was posted...

UMD Beats Mercyhurst 3-1

Welcome back Emmanuelle Blais! Her presence on the ice gives opponents something more to worry about.. she can blow by defenders when she turns it up.

Meghan Agosta scored the first goal of the game, and had another go off BOTH corners of the net.. sorta ringed the crossbar if it were round ;)

Greg Shepherd (supervisor of officials) was in the arena today.. which seems always to make the officials let a lot more physical play go..at least in the women's games it does.

UMD played 60 minutes today for sure.. rather than take the second period off like Saturday's game.

Erin Olson's doing a great job with Tawni Mattila out, winning most of the faceoffs she takes, especially in the UMD zone. The faceoffs are one of Mattila's specialties..so to speak. Her and Tuominen won probably 80% OF the faceoffs they took today. Olson's also had a lot of good scoring opportunities, but hasn't 'lit the lamp' yet.

And of course, Kim Martin.... she did a great job, especially in the third when Mercyhurst players were crashing into her every time the puck was near her. (Mercyhurst did take one penalty for roughing one a scrum in front of Martin.)

GO DOGS!

DNT Saturday Story

I figured I could get this done before the game rather than after...

College Women’s Hockey
Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune
Published Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team set a school record for futility in the second period Saturday against Mercyhurst: zero shots on goal.

Mercyhurst, meanwhile, shot 13 times and took a 1-0 lead off a goal from Stephanie Jones before UMD came back. The Bulldogs’ Elin Holmlov scored off a Saara Tuominen assist in the third period as UMD skated to a 1-1 tie in a nonconference game in front of608 spectators at the DECC.

“[Holmlov’s] goal was huge,” said UMD coach Shannon Miller, whose team’s previous low for shots on goal in a period was one against Wisconsin on Feb. 2. “We created a lot of opportunities. There was [Iya Gavrilova’s] breakaway, and we kept working and believing. That goal was perseverance.”

UMD (4-0-1) went over13 periods — over 262 minutes — without giving up a goal this season until Jones got one past goalie Kim Martin at 2:40 in the second period.

“[Mercyhurst] took over in the second,” said Martin, who tied a career high with 34 saves. “They had us on our heels. We tried to play offense individually and it’s impossible to do it by yourself. After the second period, we are happy with the finish.”

Mercyhurst (5-0-1), of Erie, Pa., held a 35-24 edge in shots for the game and a 27-8 lead after two periods.

“I thought we did the little things right in the second period,” saidMercyhurst coach Michael Sisti. “We broke up plays and jumped on the puck in open ice, but [Martin] made huge saves. We couldn’t get the second goal to give us some space.”

UMD, the fifth-ranked team in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll, gave up their first shorthanded goal after killing the first 32 penalties of the season.

In the first meeting between the teams on March 9, 2007, the Lakers put 46 shots on goalie Riitta Schaublin, but UMD found enough offense to beat Mercyhurst 3-2 in overtime to advance to the Frozen Four.

“Last year, it was an offensive barrage against us. [But] then it was us on them,” Miller said. “[Saturday] was the same. We knew they were talented, deep and tough. It was dead on with what we expected.”

The second-ranked Lakers missed two significant scoring chances Saturday — one early, one late.

In the first period, Kim Martin left the net to clear the puck, but Mercyhurst’s leading scorer, Meghan Agosta, intercepted it and Martin had to dive to make the save.

In overtime, Mercyhurst forward Geena Prough had a shot hit the pipe with less than two minutes remaining.

“We played really bad in the second,” Miller said. “They owned us, but I thought we started and finished strong, and we can be proud of that.”

*******WISCONSIN’s Unbeaten streak ends*******

Wisconsin’s NCAA women’s record 32-game unbeaten streak ended Friday with a 2-1 loss to St. Cloud State.

The Badgers, the top-ranked team in the USCHO.com poll, went 28-0-4 after a 2-0 loss to UMD on Nov. 24, 2006.

UMD & Mercyhurst tie 1-1

The UMD/Mercyhurst game really did play out like a tie. The first period was sort of even, with chances on both sides of the ice. The *SECOND* period UMD really didn't look like came out of the break ready to skate with Mercyhurst, and didn't get any shots for the period.

The third period was the complete opposite.. with most of the play in the Mercyhurst zone. Gavrilova's only a freshman, so she'll learn.. but man.. she got behind the defense twice for breakaways and didn't put a move on the goaltender either time.

Agosta is scary good.. twice in the second period she herself got open breaks with chances to put UMD down 2-0.

Not to get on the referee's *EVERY* week.. but it was weird... for whatever reason in the second period, they allowed Mercyhurst twice to glove the puck in their zone.. skate with it in their hand then put it down and play it. In the third period they got it right the one time it happened. It wasn't like a split second thing putting the puck down either, maybe it would have changed the second period a little but Mercyhurst was that much better in the second, where UMD was in the third.

Really looking forward to game two.... if UMD plays 60 minutes they can get a couple goals and pull out a win, especially the way Kim Martin's playing in net right now.

I'll post Sunday's News Tribune article after the game tomorrow, and if I forget, after the Vikings/Cowboys game.

College women's hockey: Mercyhurst series brings back memories for UMD

Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune
Published Saturday, October 20, 2007
Many Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey players cite the win over Mercyhurst in last season’s NCAA quarterfinals as one of their most memorable games.

The 3-2 win propelled the Bulldogs to the Frozen Four, but it was the come-from-behind overtime performance before a packed and hostile arena that instilled it in their memories.

“Everyone remembers that game,” said Jessica Koizumi, who scored the game-tying and winning goals as a senior forward. “We were down 2-0, and coach [Shannon Miller] was a big believer in the seniors. She told us not to quit.”

UMD’s Michaela Lanzl scored to narrow the deficit to 2-1 in the second period. Koizumi, now a UMD administrative assistant, then tied the game at 18:16 in the third period. Later, her overtime goal ended the Erie, Pa., school’s season in front of its home fans. The Bulldogs beat Boston College 4-3 in the semifinals and lost to Wisconsin 4-1 in the national championship game.

“[Mercyhurst] had a big crowd with [1,350] fans to our five and had very loud noisemakers,” Miller said. “It intimidated our goalie and a few of our players. At 2-0, it was gut-check time. I asked them, ‘Do we have what it takes?’ Last year’s team had what it took.”

UMD (4-0) will play Mercyhurst of College Hockey America for the first time in the regular season at 3:07 p.m. today and 1:07 p.m. Sunday.

“They start with [forward Meghan] Agosta,” Miller said. “They have six players on the Canadian national team with Agosta on the Olympic team. They are loaded with talent.”

Mercyhurst (5-0) is off to its best start in school history with Agosta leading the scoring list with nine points.

“She has unbelievable speed,” said Caroline Ouellette, a UMD assistant coach and Agosta’s teammate on the Canadian Olympic team. “She is one of the fastest players in the world. She is really skilled with the puck, and to do that with speed is dangerous.”

The Lakers, the second-ranked team in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll, have outscored their opponents 22-6 in five games this season, while UMD, the fifth-ranked team, has four shutout wins for a 16-0 scoring advantage.

Four Nations teams named

Koizumi and Jenny Potter, former UMD players, and UMD assistant coach Julie Chu were named to the U.S. women’s select team for the Women’s Four Nations Cup being held in Leksand, Sweden, from Nov. 7-11.

Other UMD players competing in the event are Saara Tuominen and Heidi Pelttari for Finland, Elin Holmlov and Kim Martin for Sweden, and assistant coach Ouellette for Canada.

The Bulldogs will play North Dakota on Nov. 3-4 without those players and coaches, who will be preparing for the tournament.

ANDY GREDER covers UMD women’s hockey for the News Tribune. He can be reached at (218) 723-5315 or by e-mail at agreder@duluthnews.com

UMDBulldogs.com Mercyhurst Preview

NO. 5 BULLDOGS TO CLASH WITH NO. 2 MERCYHURST IN NCAA QUARTERFINAL REMATCH AT THE DECC

Last Updated: Thursday, October 18, 2007 3:21 PM

Get ready to see some of the best hockey the college women's game has to offer. The No. 5 University of Minnesota Duluth and No. 2 Mercyhurst College will collide this weekend at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center on Saturday at 3:07 p.m. and Sunday at 1:07 p.m. The highly anticipated rematch of last season's NCAA Quarterfinal game will no question feature two teams who will be playing deep into March of 2008.

THE SERIES: The one and only time the Bulldogs and Lakers have ever met was last season, when the two collided in Erie, Penn. in the NCAA Quarterfinals. On March 9, 2007, UMD bounced back from a 2-0 deficit in the second period to edge No. 2 Mercyhurst in overtime, 3-2. Then senior Jessica Koizumi scored the final two goals for the Bulldogs, including the game-winner, securing UMD’s fourth trip to an NCAA Final Four in program history.

LAST WEEK: UMD has now gone 36 games without a loss to Bemidji State after sweeping the Beavers 4-0 and 1-0 last weekend in the DECC. Karin Demeule scored three goals in two games to help lift the Bulldogs, who have yet to allow a goal this season. Sophomore Kim Martin and junior transfer Johanna Ellison split the series between the pipes, holding would-be scorers at bay for yet another week, and helping tie UMD’s all-time consecutive shutout record. The Bulldogs are 4-0 in the WCHA and overall, with 16 goals scored by the Maroon and Gold in those four wins.

The Lakers are off to the best start in the history of their program after sweeping Boston University last weekend in Erie, Penn. 6-5 Friday night and 4-1 Saturday night. Junior forward Valerie Choulnard scored the game-winner with three minutes left in regulation Friday night to hold off BU, while sophomore forward Meghan Agosta had a four-point game Saturday to lead Mercyhurst over the Terriers.

THE COACHES: Shannon Miller, who currently is the only coach in the WCHA to have racked-up 204 wins, is in her ninth season behind the Bulldog bench.

As the only head coach UMD has ever employed, Miller has amassed an impressive overall record of 204-57-24 and has led the Bulldogs to six NCAA playoff appearances and three straight NCAA Championship titles (2001, 2002 and 2003). She has led UMD into four NCAA Frozen Four berths, including the 2007 NCAA Championship game. No other hockey program in the country has won three consecutive NCAA titles.

For her efforts, Miller was named the 2000 and 2003 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year and the 2003 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Women’s Division I Coach of the Year. Along with the incredible NCAA runs, her Bulldogs have captured two WCHA regular season titles (2000 and 2003) and three WCHA playoff titles (2000, 2001 and 2003).

During Miller’s time at the Bulldog helm, UMD has produced eight first-team All-Americans, 11 Patty Kazmaier Award Finalists, two WCHA Players of the Year, three WCHA Student-Athletes of the year and one CoSIDA Academic All-American.

Lakers head coach Michael Sisti is in his eighth season, and last Saturday night against Boston University earned his 200th career win. Sisti overall coaching mark at Mercyhurst is 200-61-20.

DANGEROUS DEMEULE: Senior Karine Demeule was rewarded for her goal-scoring handiwork last weekend against Bemidji State when she was named this week’s WCHA Offensive Player of the Week. The native of Montreal, Quebec netted two goals on Saturday and her second game -winner of the series Sunday to help lead UMD over BSU. Demeule is averaging one goal per game, and just last season flexed her scoring muscle against the Beavers when she scored two goals on Oct. 20, 2006, to help beat Bemidji.

ON A ROLL: The Bulldogs are through the first four games of their season without allowing a goal for the first time in program history.

LEADING LINE: UMD's first line, which consists of sophomores Saara Tuominen, Elin Holmlov and freshman Iya Gavrilova, has accounted for 16 of the Bulldogs 41 points. The three have tallied five goals and 11 assists between them.

BEST OF THE REST: UMD freshmen Laura Fridfinnson and Iya Gavrilova are two of the top three rookies in the nation in points per game average. Fridfinnson is tied for first (1.50 PPG), while Gavrilova slides in at third with a 1.25 PPG average. Netminding sophomore Kim Martin leads the nation in goals against average (0.00 through 178:53 minutes played), and save percentage (78 saves for 1.00).

SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE: The Bulldogs are ranked No. 5 in scoring offense in the country, averaging 4.00 goals per game through four outings. The Lakers stand in at No. 4 in the same category, averaging 4.40 goals per game. However, UMD has yet to allow a goal so far this season, while Mercyhurst has allowed six in five games.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: The Bulldogs will be without the services of junior forward Tawni Mattila and junior Samantha Hough this weekend due to injury. Freshman Haley Irwin is listed as day-to-day for the weekend series.

BULLDOG BITS: UMD is carrying a six game winning streak at the DECC into this weekend’s series...the Bulldogs may lead the nation in penalty minutes (82), but they also lead it in penalty kill, amassing a perfect 31-of-31 so far this season...the Bulldogs power play has somehwat struggled early on, connecting on only 2 of 22 man advantages...sophomore forward Saara Tuominen and freshman forward Laura Fridfinnson lead UMD in scoring with six points a piece through the first four games (3-3=6)...thirteen rostered players have registered at least on point through the first four games...the Bulldogs four-game clean sheet streak ties a UMD record set during the 2002-2003 season when the Maroon and Gold held up opponents for four blank scoresheets from Nov. 1-9, 2002...UMD has five players who are averaging at least a point or more a contest...this weekend’s series against Mercyhurst will be one of only two non-WCHA teams the Bulldogs will play, with St. Lawerence the other...UMD went 1-2-1 last winter in regular season games against non-conference opponents, but were 2-0 against non-WCHA foes in the NCAA Playoffs.

REMEMBER THE NAME: Sophomore Meghan Agosta, a current Canadian National Team member with UMD assistant coach Caroline Ouellette), leads Mercyhurst with nine points through its first five games (4-5=9). Agosta burst on the college scene a year ago, and has scored 42 goals and 41 assists (83 points) in just 40 games as a Laker.

LAKER NOTES: Head coach Michael Sisti earned his 200 win Saturday against BU...Mercyhurst was 6-for-12 on the power play last weekend against Boston University but did give up five power-play goals against the Terriers in Friday’s 6-5 win.

LAB RINK RATS: If it looks like there is an extra offical on the ice this weekend, you are not seeing things. The WCHA will use an experimental 2-and-2 system in approximately 60 games in both the women’s and men’s leagues this season.

Mercyhurst's series preview

Click the blog title to go view all four pages OF Mercyhurst's series preview!

Below are some highlights of their preview release:

Scouting Mercyhurst

Mercyhurst, 5-0, is off to its best start in the program’s history and has outscored the opposition 22-6. All six goals were scored by Boston University
last weekend. The Lakers began the 2002-03 season 4-0 before losing at St. Lawrence. Head coach Michael Sisti recorded his 200th career win in Saturday’s game. Mercyhurst allowed four power play goals to BU, the most given up in any one game in program history, in a wild 6-5 win last Friday. The Lakers finished 6-for-12 with the skater advantage in the two-game sweep.

Sophomore Meghan Agosta’s four-point game Saturday was the fifth in her career and first since a 5-2 win at Robert Morris in the conference playoffs last March. Junior Valerie Chouinard recorded her third career hat trick Friday. Freshmen Geena Prough (Friday) and Cassea Schols (Saturday) recorded their first collegiate goals. Sophomore defender Johanna Malmstrom recorded her first career point (an assist) in Friday’s 6-5 win. She was blanked last year in 28 games. Junior goalie Courtney Drennen picked up Friday’s win in relief and improved to 16-0-2 lifetime. The games against the Terriers were the first ever.

The Lakers have allowed only a combined 82 shots in their first five games, 16.4 per game. Senior goaltender Laura Hosier has 56 career wins and trails only Desi Clark’s 63. Sixteen different skaters have scored at least one point so far. The power play has proven to be lethal: 9-of-29 (.310).

Fun Facts
• Mercyhurst and Minnesota Duluth are meeting for the second and third times ever and first during the regular season. UMD defeated Mercyhurst 3-2 in overtime last March in Erie in the NCAA Quarterfinals. The loss was the lone setback at the Ice Center last season (17-1-2).

• Mercyhurst is ranked No. 2 in both USCHO.com and USA Today Polls; UMD is fifth in both.

• Head coach Michael Sisti picked up wins 199 and 200 last weekend. UMD coach Shannon Miller reached the 200-win plateau during the NCAA playoffs last March.

• Mercyhurst finished last season +42 in special teams’ play. The Lakers are +8 after five games this season.

• Senior forward Stephanie Jones is four points shy of 100. Sophomore Meghan Agosta now has 83 points in just 40 career games.

• Junior Hayley McMeekin is the first transfer to suit for the blue and green since Teresa Marchese came in 2003-04. She played in her 50th career game last Friday.

• Freshman Jesse Scanzano is the tallest player for the women’s program. At 6-0, she passed former Laker standout Seanna Murphy, who was 5-11.

• On the flip side, freshman Vicki Bendus (5-1) is the smallest player since Erin Finnerty (5-0) from the 1999-00 season.

• Mercyhurst has outscored its first five opponents 9-1 in the last 20 minutes.

Karine Demeule WCHA Offensive Player of the Week!

DEMEULE HARD TO MISS AS WCHA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:23 PM

Karine Demeule didn't miss too many chances on the goal step this past weekend, and now she is going to be even harder to miss on the ice.

The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey senior captain was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Offensive Player of the Week for her three-goal performance against Bemidji State last Saturday and Sunday. Demeule netted two goals on Saturday to help lift UMD over the Beavers 4-0, and scored her second game winner of the series Sunday afternoon to elevate the Bulldogs 1-0 and extend their winning streak to four games.

A native of Montreal, Quebec, and the lone UMD senior, Demeule pushed her season goal-total to four, averaging one goal per game for the unbeaten Bulldogs. Just one season ago, Demeule flexed her scoring muscle against Bemidji by scoring two goals against the Beavers on Oct. 20, 2006.

The No. 5 Bulldogs return to the DECC ice this weekend for a clash with non-conference opponent No. 2 Mercyhurst. The first rematch of last season's overtime NCAA Quarterfinal game with start at 3:07 p.m. Saturday, while the second puck will drop at 1:07 p.m.

Incidentally, Emily Brookshaw, who stopped 81 of 86 UMD shots during the UMD sweep, was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week.

New USCHO Poll October 15

1 Wisconsin (11) 5-0-1 143 1
2 Mercyhurst ( 4) 5-0-0 134 2
3 St. Lawrence 1-1-0 110 3
4 New Hampshire 2-1-0 108 3
5 Minnesota-Duluth 4-0-0 99 5
6 Harvard 0-0-0 75 6
7 Boston College 3-0-0 57 8
8 Dartmouth 0-0-0 33 9
9 Ohio State 1-2-1 21 10
10 Minnesota 2-1-1 19 7
Others Receiving Votes: Connecticut 17, St. Cloud State 4, Clarkson 2, Princeton 2, Colgate 1

I'm not sure how the formatting will look on here.. may tinker with it a bit again, taking out records and stuff to clean it up.

News Tribune Sunday Game Story

Click the blog title to view the DNT's page.

UMD 1, Bemidji 0
Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune
Published Monday, October 15, 2007

Minnesota Duluth goalie Johanna Ellison of Cloquet had a delightful homecoming in net Sunday against Bemidji State, but coach Shannon Miller had a somber postgame message.

“I told the team, ‘I hope you learn your lesson. You can’t take anyone for granted,’ ” she said.

Miller thought the Bulldogs came out flat in a1-0 win Sunday over Bemidji State in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game before 586 fans at the DECC.

“We didn’t come out on our toes or ready to compete,” Miller said. “We had half a tank, half-enthusiasm.”

Ellison, a junior transfer from Boston College, didn’t lack zeal in stopping 16 shots for a shutout in her first game as a Bulldog.

“I was nervous and excited to be back, definitely more excited,” Ellison said. “I’m glad it went well. It will be in my memory bank for a long time.”

Yet UMD’s offensive start wasn’t memorable after only eight shots and no goals in a slow first period.

Forward Karine Demeule scored the Bulldogs’ lone goal at 6:48 of the second period.

In the third, Bemidji State goalie Emily Brookshaw stopped all 16 UMD shots to finish with 34 saves in the game and 81 in the series.

“[Brookshaw] was really good [Saturday] and better [Sunday],” Beavers coach Steve Sertich said. “She saw the puck really well and was right on it all night.”

The fifth-ranked Bulldogs (4-0, 4-0 WCHA) beat Bemidji State 4-0 Saturday, and UMD sophomore center Saara Tuominen believes they were nearly caught looking ahead to the series against second-ranked Mercyhurst of Erie, Pa., next Saturday and Sunday at the DECC.

“We didn’t show up,” Tuominen said. “You have to give credit to [Brookshaw], but [the upcoming Mercyhurst series] was part of the letdown.”

Miller tried to mix up the lines to rejuvenate the offense in the third period.

“Things didn’t click,” Miller said. “The first line [of Tuominen, Elin Holmlov and Iya Gavrilova] haven’t had the chemistry I’d seen in the last week, so I stirred up the lines.”

UMD suited up nine forwards for the second straight game after Haley Irwin encountered post-concussion dizziness during pregame warm-ups Sunday.

“We practiced all week with nine and you could tell that effected us,” Miller said. “Demeule blew out a skate and we were down to eight for a while.”

Ellison’s first game wasn’t UMD’s best game, but she believes in the caliber of their program.

“UMD was my first choice when I was looking at other schools,” Ellison said. “We have a great program and I’m glad to be part of it.”

Dogs Sweep, Win 1-0 over BSU

UMD finished the sweep, winning 1-0 behind Karine Demeule scoring and Johanna Ellison shutting the door on 16 Bemidji State shots. Bemidji played a much tighter fore-checking game, and better in the neutral zone today than Saturday's game.

Bemidji did get ripped off in the 2nd period today... While BSU had a 2 player advantage, UMD took a third penalty, for too many players on the ice. Sara O'Toole and Iya Gavrilova were in the penalty box, and Myriam Trepanier was in the box to serve the too many player penalty. When O'Toole's penalty ended, she was let out of the box during play.. which was the WRONG decision by the scorers table/penalty box crew. Trepanier's two minutes should have started immediately when O'Toole's penalty ended and she should have remained in the box herself until the next whistle. It cost Bemidji the chance of continuing to have a two player advantage for another 39 seconds.

When the referee (Chris Perrault) figured out something was wrong, he blew the play down and after 10 minutes of talking to both coaches and the scorers table, he STILL didn't get it right and UMD was down only one player for those 39 seconds.

Unless some rule has that's been around forever has been changed... Bemidji State's best oppurtunity to score on the weekend was thwarted by a mistake by the referee and scorers table.

Saturday's news tribune story

As always, click the blog title to go read the article

UMD women's hockey team defeats Bemidji State 4-0
Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune
Published Saturday, October 13, 2007

Karine Demeule discovered her character during her sophomore season on the Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team.

The Montreal native saw little playing time in the 2005-06 season as fourth-line forward and needed to find another role.

“I saw a lot of ice as a freshman and then I didn’t play very much,” said Demeule, now a senior. “I learned a lot about myself. It was hard not to play, but I learned to be there for the team.”

Demeule was the lead performer Saturday with two goals as UMD beat Bemidji State 4-0 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game before 510 fans at the DECC. The final game of the home-opening series is at 3:07 p.m. today.

“[Demeule] seized the opportunity when she moved to the second line after all [of our] injuries,” said UMD coach Shannon Miller, whose team only has nine healthy forwards. “She was great. I thought her line was the best [Saturday].”

Demeule, a captain, and Samantha Hough are the only remaining members of the six-player 2004-05 recruiting class.

“There was a parting of the ways with the others,” Miller said. “Some were my choice, others were theirs, but [Demeule] has been successful because she has a good attitude, work ethic and represents the team well.”

Demeule scored seven points with two game-winning goals as a freshman, but registered only two points as a sophomore.

“You just have to keep going during the hard times,” said Demeule, who notched 17 points in all 39 games a year ago. “You’ve got to be there and accept your role.”

Sophomore defender Heidi Pelttari said Demeule directs team traditions.

“She leads us with not stepping on the [Bulldog] logo in the locker room and other things,” Pelttari said. “She has done this before and that is why she is our captain.”

Laura Fridfinnson, a second-line forward, scored a goal and assisted on both of Demeule’s goals.

UMD (3-0 overall, 3-0 WCHA) held a 51-17 shot advantage over Bemidji State (0-2-1), but didn’t score until Demeule’s goal at the 17-minute mark in the first period.

“[Bemidji State put] a lot of players in front of the net,” Miller said. “We had the puck all game, but we couldn’t get many through.”

Beavers goalie Emily Brookshaw stopped 47 shots, including 19 in the second period.

“We knew [UMD] was awfully talented,” Bemidji State coach Steve Sertich said. “[Brookshaw] stopped a lot of shots and did her best to keep us in it.”

WISCONSIN SETS NCAA MARK

Wisconsin beat Ohio State 4-0 Saturday to set the NCAA unbeaten streak record at 31 games.

The Badgers are 28-0-3 since a 2-0 loss to UMD on Nov. 24.

Wisconsin, the two-time defending NCAA champions, had won 26 straight before the loss to the Bulldogs.

The 2005-06 New Hampshire team previously held the record.

Dogs Shut Down (and out) Bemidji State

Below is my own view on the game today...

UMD outshot Bemidji State by a HUGE margin of 51-17 (had 3 times as many shots for those math deficient ;).)

Laura Fridfinnson, Saara Tuominen, and Karine Demeule (Demeule scored TWICE, including the first of the game, and game winner) all scored their 3rd goals of the season .. IN as many games. Jaime Rasmussen picked up 2 assists as well.

Bemidji really never looked like they were in this game.. UMD skated circles around them all night.

Erin Olson definitely has found her game in this her junior season. She hasn't scored yet but the way she's come out this season, in great hockey shape and flying around the ice.. she has a chance for a good handfull of goals. (hasn't scored since her first career goal, October 14, 2005 against St. Cloud at the DECC) Just as important as scoring, is she's winning faceoffs in her own zone when she's on the ice taking them.

With all of the injuries among forwards, another freshman, Libby Guzzo even spent a good deal of time on the ice, after only playing a few shifts in St. Cloud.

Tomorrow afternoon (or after tomorrow's game 2) I'll post the News Tribune story and link.

News Tribune Pre-Bemidji Series Story

College women's hockey: UMD kills 22 St. Cloud State penalties
Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune
Published Saturday, October 13, 2007

Minnesota Duluth coach Shannon Miller said sophomore center Saara Tuominen flawlessly fulfills her role on the penalty-kill unit.

“[Tuominen’s] discipline and ability to take away passing lanes makes her exceptional,” Miller said. “She anticipates what the other team is going to do very well. She sets the example and does exactly what you’re supposed to do.”

Behind Tuominen’s defensive lead, UMD was impeccable in killing all22 penalties in its Oct. 5-6 sweep at St. Cloud State. The Bulldogs will take their penalty-killing prowess into their season-opening home series against Bemidji State at 3:37 p.m. today and 3:07 p.m. Sunday at the DECC.

In UMD’s 3-0 win onOct. 5, the Bulldogs killed off 13 power plays.

“The main thing was that it was our first game and we needed to get the little kinks out,” junior forward Sara O’Toole said. “We were able to be successful in getting it together the next game.”

The Bulldogs then killed all nine St. Cloud power plays in Saturday’s 8-0 triumph.

“Friday was more read and react because it was our first game, but the second game we had a lot more direction and little adjustments that made a big difference in the level of play,” Miller said.

Goalie Kim Martin stopped 61 shots against St. Cloud, including 25 saves on penalty kills.

“We’ve worked a lot on penalty kill in practice, and the defense has done a perfect job in front of me,” said Martin, who was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association defensive player of the week.

Last season, UMD killed 87 percent of its penalties (199-for-228).

UMD, the fifth-ranked team in the USCHO.com poll, mainly uses forwards Tuominen, Haley Irwin, Iya Gavrilova, Karine Demuele and all six defenders during penalty kills.

Injured list grows

The Bulldogs are down to nine forwards after two more injuries this week.

Irwin, the second-line center, is out after getting a concussion in Monday’s practice.

Third-line center Tawni Mattila is inactive after spraining her left shoulder in Wednesday’s practice, while wingers Emmanuelle Blais (high ankle sprain) and Samantha Hough (knee) remain out of the lineup.

Martin suffered a concussion late in the Oct. 6 St. Cloud game, but felt no repercussions during the week and will start in net today.

WISCONSIN ties NCAA RECORD

Wisconsin, the two-time defending NCAA champion and preseason WCHA favorite, tied the NCAA women’s unbeaten streak at 30 games on Oct. 6.

The top-ranked Badgers have gone 27-0-3 to tie New Hampshire’s streak set during the 2005-06 season.

Wisconsin (4-0-0) hosts Ohio State at 2:05 p.m. today.

UMDBulldogs.com Bemidji Preview Up

The weekend series preview is up:

The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team returns to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Saturday and Sunday afternoon when it hosts Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival Bemidji State University. Game-time will start at 3:37 p.m. on Saturday, while the puck will drop at 3:07 p.m. on Sunday.

THE SERIES: UMD owns a 33-0-1 all-time record over its closest conference counterparts, with its one and only tie coming back during the 2001-02 season when the Bulldogs and Beavers stepped off the ice with a 3-3 OT stalemate. UMD currently holds a 23-game winning streak against BSU, including a telling two series sweep of the Beavers a season ago. The Bulldogs crushed the BSU 6-2 and 6-0 in the DECC back on Oct. 20 & 21, and then again in Bemidji on Jan. 20 & 21, 5-0 and 3-1.

LAST WEEK: The Bulldogs scored 11 goals in two games to sweep St. Cloud State in St. Cloud, Minn. over the past weekend. Sophomore goaltender Kim Martin made 61 saves in 119:27 minutes of action for the fourth and fifth shutouts of her collegiate career. Nine UMD players scored over the course of the two games, with two goals and three assists courtesy of newly named sophomore captain Saara Tuominen. Freshman forward Laura Fridfinnson started her career in the Maroon and Gold jersy with two goals and an assist, while sophomore Elin Holmlov joined Tuominen and freshman Iya Gavrilova on UMD’s most productive line by adding a goal to accompany her team-leading four assists. The two wins bring head coach Shannon Miller to 202 career Bulldog victories, and a 202-57-24 record overall in nine seasons behind the bench.


The Beavers responded to a 3-1 loss at home to Minnesota State last Friday night by staying even with the Mavericks Saturday evening in a 2-2 OT tie. BSU responded to two early first period goals by Minnesota State by netting two of its own in the second stanza of play. Freshman Julie Rising scored a goal in each contest.

THE COACHES: Shannon Miller, who currently is the only coach in the WCHA to have racked-up 202 wins and is 33-0-1 against Bemidji State in her career, will began her ninth season last weekend behind the Bulldog bench.

As the only head coach UMD has ever employed, Miller has amassed an impressive overall record of 202-57-24 and has led the Bulldogs to six NCAA playoff appearances and three straight NCAA Championship titles (2001, 2002 and 2003). She has led UMD into four NCAA Frozen Four berths, including the 2007 NCAA Championship game. No other hockey program in the country has won three consecutive NCAA titles.


For her efforts, Miller was named the 2000 and 2003 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year and the 2003 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Women’s Division I Coach of the Year. Along with the incredible NCAA runs, her Bulldogs have captured two WCHA regular season titles (2000 and 2003) and three WCHA playoff titles (2000, 2001 and 2003).

During Miller’s time at the Bulldog helm, UMD has produced eight first-team All-Americans, 11 Patty Kazmaier Award Finalists, two WCHA Players of the Year, three WCHA Student-Athletes of the year and one CoSIDA Academic All-American.

Beaver Head Coach Steve Sertich is in his second season with BSU after a 11-21-6 record in his coaching debut a year ago. He is 9-16-5 in 30 regular season games against WCHA opponents.

MAGICAL MARTIN: Sophomore netminder Kim Martin was named the WCHA’s Defensive Player of the Week after posting two clean-sheets against St. Cloud State last weekend. Martin did not allow a goal, despite the Bulldogs skating 60 minutes with at least one player in the penalty box, and turned away 61 shots in the two contests. It is the third time in Martin’s young career that she has earned the WCHA honor.

FRIEND OR FOE: The Beavers are the only remaining team in the WCHA that the Bulldogs have stayed undefeated against. UMD, which posts a winning percentage of .985 against BSU, has outscored the Beavers 219-38 through 34 all-time games. The Bulldogs have also set five of their all-time team records against Bemidji, including most goals in a period (8, Oct. 22, 1999), fastest three goals (1:13, Oct. 22, 1999), and most points in a period (21, Oct. 22, 1999).

OPENING SERIES SUCCESS: The Bulldogs thrashing of St. Cloud State last weekend marked the first time in program history that UMD has opened its season with back-to-back shutouts. The Bulldogs have now averaged 9.7 goals in nine seasons in opening series over their program history.

LEADING LINE: UMD's first line, which consists of sophomores Saara Tuominen, Elin Holmlov and freshman Iya Gavrilova, accounted for nine points in all during the Bulldogs series with the Huskies. The three tallied four goals and nine assists between them to help the Maroon and Gold score 11 goals in the two games.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: The Bulldogs will be without the services of sophomore Emmanuelle Blais this weekend, who sustained an injury in UMD's exhibition clash with the Whitecaps.

BULLDOG BITS: UMD is carrying over a four game winning streak at the DECC into this weekend’s series...After two weekends of play, the Bulldogs are the highest scoring offense in the WCHA...UMD is perfect on the penalty kill so far, going 21-of-21 against the Huskies...Saara Tuominen and Elin Holmlov lead the WCHA in point scoring with five points a piece...in all, the Bulldogs are in the first four slots of points scoring, respectively,


LAB RINK RATS: If it looks like there is an extra offical on the ice this weekend, you are not seeing things. The WCHA will use an experimental 2-and-2 system in approximately 60 games in both the women’s and men’s leagues this season.

BEAVER NOTES: Freshman forward Julie Rising was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week for her two goals in two games against Minnesota State this past weekend. Rising’s shorthanded goal on Friday night was only BSU’s third shorthanded goal in the last three years...the Beavers are 0-33-1 all-time against the Bulldogs, with their one and only tie coming on February 3, 2002 when both teams settled in overtime on a 3-3 score...BSU returns 16 letterwinners from a squad that went 11-20-5 overall last season, including both goaltenders...Tara Hiscock is the Beavers leading returning scorer, having tallied 11 points last winter (8-3-11)...Senior captain Emily Brookshaw started in 35 games for BSU last season, making 985 saves...Brookshaw’s GAA was 3.03.

Bemidji State Universities Online Game Preview (.pdf)

The UMDBulldogs.com website doesn't have the weekend preview up yet, so below is the Bemidji State website preview for this weekend's DECC series. I've posted the first page+1/2, click the blog title to go visit the complete preview!

This Week’s Story lines
• The Beavers began their 2007-08 season last weekend and came
away with an 0-1-1 record against Minnesota State University,
Mankato. Bemidji State skated to a 3-1 loss in Friday’s matchup
with the Mavericks, but came back from a 2-0 deficit in Saturday’s
game to tie MSU 2-2.
• Julie Rising (Fr., Millbrae, Calif.) began her BSU career with
a bang last weekend. She scored two goals (one short-handed)
in two games, and was named WCHA Rookie of the Week for
her efforts. She is the fourth Beaver in four years to earn the
honor, and will look to continue her scoring ways against the No.
5-ranked Bulldogs.
• Bemidji State will hit the road for the first time this season and
look to build off last week’s 0-1-1 performance against Minnesota
State. Three freshmen (Rising, Eva Schwaerzler (Dornbirn,
Austria) and Erin Cody (Roseville, Minn.)) contributed on the
scoreboard with Rising leading the way. She scored two goals,
Schwaerzler notched one and Cody had an assist for BSU.
• The BSU women’s hockey team has begun Year Two of the
Steve Sertich era. He led the Beavers to an incredible 11 overall
wins and nine conference wins in just his first year at the helm.
After having a full year to bring in recruits, he has added much
scoring to a team that lost most of that after last seasons’ seniors
graduated.
The Coaches
•Bemidji State’s Steve Sertich (Colorado College ‘74) is in his
second season with the Beavers and has an overall record of
11-21-6 in 38 games coached. He is 9-16-5 in 30 regular-season
games against Western Collegiate Hockey Association opponents.
Coach Sertich’s club is currently in 3rd place in WCHA
action after going 0-1-1 to start the season.
• Minnesota Duluth’s Shannon Miller (Saskatchewan ‘85) is in
her eighth season with the Bulldogs and has a career record of
200-57-24 and currently has a season record of 2-0-0 overall
and a 2-0-0 record in WCHA. Miller currently has her team in
first place in the conference.
WCHA play
• Bemidji State prepares for its first road WCHA matchup of
the season as the Beavers travel to Duluth, Minn., to take on the
University of Minnesota Duluth. The last time BSU traveled to
Duluth, the Beavers were shut out in two games. Bemidji State
went 0-4-0 last year against UMD and was outscored 3-20.
• Bemidji State is 5-11-0 all-time in opening road series’ versus
WCHA competition and is 0-6-0 all-time in opening road conference
games at Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

My eBay listings, sports cards, beanie babies for now.

As part of my part time eBay consignment business, see some of the stuff I've got listed, between sports cards I own and beanie babies that are on consignment right now ... they're cheap too.



This is a new application eBay is offering, you can click on top of the box on my store name then click on view store if anything might be of interest.

Watch *ALL* UMD Home Hockey Games LIVE ONLINE!

Today, UMD announced that all men's and women's home hockey games will be availble LIVE on B2 Networks:

University of Minnesota Duluth Athletics and B2 Networks today announced a three-year partnership that will bring Bulldogs men's and women's ice hockey to the premier provider of broadband broadcasting. The partnership will begin this fall with all UMD home games being shown live on B2 Networks.

With the addition of UMD, B2 Networks has partnerships with four members of the men's Western Collegiate Hockey Association: UMD, Colorado College, St. Cloud State University and Minnesota State University-Mankato. For women's ice hockey, UMD is the second member of the WCHA to partner with B2 Networks. UMD's away games at B2 partner institutions will also be broadcast live and be available to fans worldwide.

"We are extremely excited about our partnership with B2 Networks and the additional exposure it will bring to our men's and women's ice hockey programs," said UMD Athletic Director Bob Nielson. "It's a great way for the thousands of Bulldog alumni and supporters throughout the world to stay in touch with UMD hockey."

By teaming with B2 Networks, UMD ice hockey will be available for viewing by a worldwide audience. Live hockey games will be aired through the school's athletic website http://www.umdbulldogs.com/ as well as http://www.b2livetv.com. Fans wanting to watch Bulldogs hockey via B2 Networks will need a high-speed Internet connection and a current version of Microsoft Windows Media Player. Games will be sold on an individual basis for $6 (US), and a season pass to view all Minnesota Duluth men's and women's ice hockey games broadcast on B2 Networks for $50 (US) will become available in the near future.

"We are thrilled to announce the addition of Minnesota Duluth to the B2 Networks family, and we are excited that they will increase the amount of WCHA hockey we broadcast," stated Richard Brosal, B2 Networks Executive Vice President for Business Operations and Marketing. "Bulldogs fans will be able to follow their team like never before, especially the women's hockey team that was National Runner-Up last year."

B2 Networks is a premier provider of reliable and secure international television and pay-per-view broadcasting systems. Our worldwide network of arenas, stadiums, local venues and data centers are currently in use to distribute live sports and events to personal computers, television screens, mobile devices and commercial venues around the world. Working with organizations such as the AHL, ECHL, NLL, IHL, USHL, NAHL, Arena Football Leagues, Fitness Universe and selected NCAA and NAIA conferences and member institutions, B2 Networks has established itself as a leader in innovative global direct to home, mobile and television broadcasting. For the B2 Networks' Programming Guide visit www.b2livetv.com, or for information about B2 Networks, visit www.b2now.com.

WCHA Defensive Player of the Week Kim Martin

Click on the blog TITLE to see the other WCHA players of the week, below is the text for Kim Martin's defensive player of the week award!

Kim Martin, a sophomore goaltender from Stockholm, Sweden, stood between the pipes for 119:27 without allowing a goal in the University of Minnesota Duluth's WCHA season-opening series sweep at St. Cloud State last weekend.

She made 27 saves in a 3-0 series opening victory last Friday then came back to make 29 stops in the 8-0 victory over the host Huskies last Saturday. Martin withstood 60 minutes of shorthanded play by the Bulldogs at St. Cloud. The shutouts were numbers four and five of her collegiate career.

Also nominated this week: Anya Miller, D, UM; Holly Snyder, D, MSU; Brittany Kirkham, G, UND; Tessa Bonhomme, D, OSU.

This week's new Rankings/Polls

USCHO.COM Poll released Monday:

1 Wisconsin (14)
2 Mercyhurst
3 St. Lawrence
- New Hampshire
5 Minnesota-Duluth
6 Harvard
7 Minnesota
8 Boston College
9 Dartmouth
10 Ohio State

Others Receiving Votes: Connecticut 10, Clarkson 3, Colgate 3, Providence 2, Princeton 1


The USA TODAY Poll is out today:

1. Wisconsin
2. Mercyhurst
3. St. Lawrence
4. New Hampshire
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. Minnesota
7. Harvard
8. Boston College
9. Dartmouth
10. Ohio State

Others receiving votes: Connecticut, Clarkson, Providence, Princeton

News Tribune Sweep Story

UMD women's hockey team sweeps St. Cloud State
Duluth News Tribune
Published Sunday, October 07, 2007

Eight Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey players scored goals as the Bulldogs swept the season-opening Western Collegiate Hockey Association series with a 8-0 win Saturday at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn.

Sara O’Toole, Myriam Trepanier and Iya Gavrilova each scored in the first period as UMD took a 3-0 lead.

Haley Irwin scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs in the second period.

In the third, the Bulldogs (2-0, 2-0 WCHA) scored four goals with one each from Elin Holmlov, Karine Demeule, Laura Fridfinnson and Sarah Murray.

UMD goalie Kim Martin stopped 29 shots and held the Huskies scoreless on nine penalty plays. In the series, Martin stopped 61 shots in two shutouts and St. Cloud was 0-for-22 on power plays. UMD won 3-0 Friday.

The Bulldogs, No. 5 in the USCHO.com poll, had 17 penalties Saturday and finished with 30 for the series.

The Huskies (0-2, 0-2) were held scoreless for the fourth straight home game against the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs also held a 38-29 shot advantage Saturday.

St. Cloud freshman goalie Ashley Nixon stopped 24 shots in her first collegiate start.

In the last minute of the game, there were eight players, four from each team, in the penalty box.

UMD will host Bemidji State (0-1-1) in the home opener at 3:37 p.m. Saturday at the DECC. The WCHA series will conclude at 3:07 p.m. Sunday.

UMD Finishes the sweep, 8-0 @ SCSU

UMD beat St. Cloud 8-0 in a game that sounded on the radio like it finished kinda physically emotional, with penalties abound for both teams. Sarah Murray got her first career goal, in this her second season. Iya Gavrilova scored HER first goal of what should be MANY...and Laura Fridfinnson scored her second goal and added an assist. Haley Irwin also scored HER first goal, along with taking 3 more penalties. The game was a big hard to follow on the radio, dunno if it was the station or the weather but the game seemed to cut in and out a little for me, but it did go how I expected the weekend to. UMD won a tough 3-0 game yesterday and a much more lopsided score in the second game of the series.

UMD ended up with 17 penalties for 34 minutes, which once again means they need to stay OUT of the penalty box. Somehow in their 9 times shorthanded they didn't give up a goal.. UMD **DID** score on the powerplay, but that still only makes them 1 of 12 on the weekend.

SCSU started a freshman goaltender Ashley Nixon, for her first career game but teams won't normally make excuses like that for a loss, since she had to see ice time anyway so why not now?.

The game's box score is available on collegehockeystats.net
and IF I remember I'll try and link to that box score for each game. Also, as with Friday's game, I'll post the News Tribune story/link the day after the game, when they have the game story online. (If there's no story I'll use the UmdBulldogs.com story)

DNT Friday Game Story

As always, click the title to go TO the website WITH the article..

UMD women's hockey: Bulldogs top St. Cloud 3-0
Duluth News Tribune
Published Saturday, October 06, 2007
Minnesota Duluth goalie Kim Martin passed the first test of the 2007-08 season.

The sophomore stopped 32 shots and held St. Cloud State scoreless on 13 power plays as the Bulldogs beat the Huskies 3-0 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association women’s opening game Friday before 412 at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn.

“[Martin] got a lot of action,” UMD coach Shannon Miller said. “When you’re on the penalty kill all that time, the goalie has to be instrumental in your success.”

Sophomore captain Saara Tuominen scored two goals and added an assist for the Bulldogs (1-0, 1-0 WCHA), who have shut out St. Cloud State three straight games on the road. Martin has four career shutouts overall.

“I thought it was fitting that after [Tuominen] got named captain [Thursday], she has a good night [Friday],” Miller said.

St. Cloud (0-1, 0-1) outshot UMD 22-16 through two periods, but the Huskies couldn’t score.

“All our defenders stood out tonight,” Miller said. “Everyone got a lot of work with how many times we were down a player.”

With UMD ahead 1-0, the Bulldogs outshot the Huskies 18-10 and scored two goals in the third period. At 12:31, Tuominen stole the puck from a Huskies player and set up freshman Laura Fridfinnson for her first career goal. Iya Gavrilova and Elin Holmlov assisted on Tuominen’s second goal with 3:52 to play.

Martin, an Olympian from Sweden, will be goalie again today as UMD finishes the series with St. Cloud State at 7:07 p.m.

“She got a lot of work, and she deserves to be in there [today],” Miller said.