| 2017–18 Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey season | |
|---|---|
| WCHA Final Face-Off Champions 2018 NCAA tournament, Lost in Quarterfinals 0–4 to Wisconsin | |
| Conference | WCHA |
| Home ice | Ridder Arena |
| Record | |
| Overall | 24–11–3 |
| Home | 13–6–2 |
| Road | 11–5–1 |
| Coaches and captains | |
| Head coach | Brad Frost |
| Assistant coaches | Joel Johnson Bethany Brausen |
| Captain(s) | Sydney Baldwin [1] Cara Piazza |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey seasons « 2016–17 2018–19 » | |
The Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey program represent the University of Minnesota during the 2017-18 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey season.
Following a Frozen Four appearance in March, the Golden Gophers were well represented in both international play and Olympic preparations. The April IIHF World Championships featured an impressive 10 alumni and current players from the team. Six players represented the US team including Lee Stecklein and 5 alumni. [2] [3] Of the two Canadians, current player Sarah Potomak made her country's team. Two alumni represented Finland to round out the ten. All of the Golden Gophers left the tournament with a medal, with the US taking gold, Canada silver, and Finland bronze. [4]
In May, Countries began the 2018 Olympic selections. The 2017–18 US Team includes six Minnesota alumni, and Lee Stecklein. This will be Stecklein's second Olympic Games. [5] [6] A week after the US announced their team, Team Canada completed their Centralization roster, choosing Sarah Potomak, and her sister Amy Potomak. Of the 28 selected, 23 will be chosen to represent Canada at the Olympics [7]
Source [8]
| Player | Position | Nationality | Notes |
| Emily Brown | Defense |  United States | Member of Team USA U18 |
| Alex Gulstene | Goaltender |  Canada | Attended Okanagan Hockey Academy |
| Olivia Knowles | Defense | Canada | Played for Team Canada U18 |
| Amy Potomak | Forward | Canada | Named Team Canada's Centralization roster |
| Taylor Wente | Forward | United States | Member of Team USA U18 |
| Grace Zumwinkle | Forward | United States | One of 3 recruits from Team USA U18 |
| Conference | Overall | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | SW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | ||
| #2 Wisconsin† | 24 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 64 | 81 | 29 | 37 | 31 | 4 | 2 | 123 | 44 | |
| #6 Ohio State | 24 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 49 | 63 | 51 | 38 | 24 | 10 | 4 | 112 | 76 | |
| #5 Minnesota* | 24 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 74 | 54 | 38 | 24 | 11 | 3 | 119 | 79 | |
| Minnesota Duluth | 24 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 35 | 49 | 62 | 35 | 15 | 16 | 4 | 71 | 82 | |
| Bemidji State | 24 | 9 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 60 | 68 | 38 | 16 | 19 | 3 | 90 | 96 | |
| St. Cloud State | 24 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 23 | 41 | 59 | 33 | 8 | 20 | 5 | 52 | 82 | |
| Minnesota State | 24 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 37 | 82 | 34 | 5 | 28 | 1 | 57 | 123 | |
| Championship: March 4, 2018 † indicates conference regular season champion; * indicates conference tournament champion Rankings: USCHO.com | |||||||||||||||
Source [9]
| Date | Opponent# | Rank# | Site | Decision | Result | Record | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | |||||||||||
| September 29 | Merrimack * | #3 | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | Sidney Peters | L 3–4 | 0–1–0 (0–0–0) | |||||
| October 1 | Merrimack* | #3 | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | Alex Gulstene | W 4–1 | 1–1–0 (0–0–0) | |||||
| October 6 | Ohio State | #4 | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | Gulstene | L 2–3 | 1–2–0 (0–1–0) | |||||
| October 7 | Ohio State | #4 | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | Gulstene | T 5–5 OT | 1–2–1 (0–1–1) | |||||
| October 13 | at Bemidji State | #9 | Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN | Peters | W 3–1 | 2–2–1 (1–1–1) | |||||
| October 14 | at Bemidji State | #9 | Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN | Peters | W 4–3 OT | 3–2–1 (2–1–1) | |||||
| October 20 | at Minnesota Duluth | AMSOIL Arena • Duluth, MN | — | W 4–1 | 4–2–1 (3–1–1) | ||||||
| October 21 | at Minnesota Duluth | AMSOIL Arena • Duluth, MN | — | W 2–1 | 5–2–1 (4–1–1) | ||||||
| October 28 | Wisconsin | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | L 2–3 | 5–3–1 (4–2–1) | ||||||
| October 29 | Wisconsin | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | L 1–2 OT | 5–4–1 (4–3–1) | ||||||
| November 3 | at Minnesota State | Verizon Wireless Center • Mankato, MN | — | W 6–1 | 6–4–1 (5–3–1) | ||||||
| November 4 | at Minnesota State | Verizon Wireless Center • Mankato, MN | — | W 5–2 | 7–4–1 (6–3–1) | ||||||
| November 10 | at Mercyhurst * | Mercyhurst Ice Center • Erie, PA | — | W 2–1 OT | 8–4–1 (6–3–1) | ||||||
| November 11 | at Mercyhurst* | Mercyhurst Ice Center • Erie, PA | — | W 5–2 | 9–4–1 (6–3–1) | ||||||
| November 17 | St. Cloud State | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | W 3–0 | 10–4–1 (7–3–1) | ||||||
| November 18 | St. Cloud State | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | W 4–3 | 11–4–1 (8–3–1) | ||||||
| November 25 | at Lindenwood * | Lindenwood Ice Arena • Wentzville, MO | — | W 3–1 | 12–4–1 (8–3–1) | ||||||
| November 26 | at Lindenwood* | Lindenwood Ice Arena • Wentzville, MO | — | W 4–3 OT | 13–4–1 (8–3–1) | ||||||
| December 1 | Bemidji State | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | W 3–2 OT | 14–4–1 (9–3–1) | ||||||
| December 2 | Bemidji State | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | L 2–4 | 14–5–1 (9–4–1) | ||||||
| December 8 | Minnesota Duluth | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | T 3–3 OT | 14–5–2 (9–4–2) | ||||||
| December 9 | Minnesota Duluth | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | W 5–0 | 15–5–2 (10–4–2) | ||||||
| January 9, 2018 | St. Cloud State* | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | W 2–1 | 16–5–2 (10–4–2) | ||||||
| January 12 | Vermont * | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | L 2–4 | 16–6–2 (10–4–2) | ||||||
| January 13 | Vermont* | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | W 6–1 | 17–6–2 (10–4–2) | ||||||
| January 19 | at Ohio State | The Ohio State University Ice Rink • Columbus, OH | — | L 2–3 | 17–7–2 (10–5–2) | ||||||
| January 20 | at Ohio State | The Ohio State University Ice Rink • Columbus, OH | — | L 1–5 | 17–8–2 (10–6–2) | ||||||
| January 26 | Minnesota State | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | W 4–2 | 18–8–2 (11–6–2) | ||||||
| January 27 | Minnesota State | Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN | — | W 2–0 | 19–8–2 (12–6–2) | ||||||
| February 2 | at St. Cloud State | Herb Brooks National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, MN | — | T 3–3 OT | 19–8–3 (12–6–3) | ||||||
| February 3 | at St. Cloud State | Herb Brooks National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, MN | — | W 5–2 | 20–8–3 (13–6–3) | ||||||
| February 16 | Wisconsin | LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI | — | L 3–4 | 20–9–3 (13–7–3) | ||||||
| February 17 | Wisconsin | LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI | — | L 0–1 | 20–10–3 (13–8–3) | ||||||
| WCHA Tournament | |||||||||||
| February 23 | St. Cloud State* | Ridder Arena • (Quarterfinals, Game 1) | — | W 5–1 | 21–10–3 (13–8–3) | ||||||
| February 24 | St. Cloud State* | Ridder Arena • (Quarterfinals, Game 2) | — | W 4–1 | 22–10–3 (13–8–3) | ||||||
| March 3 | Ohio State* | Ridder Arena • (Semifinals) | — | W 2–0 | 23–10–3 (13–8–3) | ||||||
| March 4 | Wisconsin* | Ridder Arena • (Finals) | — | W 3–1 | 24–10–3 (13–8–3) | ||||||
| NCAA Tournament | |||||||||||
| March 10 | Wisconsin* | LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI (Quarterfinals) | — | L 0–4 | 24–11–3 (13–8–3) | ||||||
| *Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. | |||||||||||
Source: [10]
| No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | DoB | Hometown | Previous team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |  | Emily Brown | Freshman | D | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 1998-12-30 | Blaine, Minnesota | Blaine High School |
| 4 | | Tianna Gunderson | Junior | F | 5' 6" (1.68 m) | 1996-08-27 | Roseau, Minnesota | Roseau High School |
| 5 |  | Sophie Skarzynski | Junior | D | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 1997-09-18 | Lake Forest, Illinois | Loyola Academy |
| 7 | | Taylor Williamson | Junior | F | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 1996-08-20 | Edina, Minnesota | Edina High School |
| 8 | | Kippin Keller | Sophomore | F | 5' 4" (1.63 m) | 1997-12-16 | Minnetonka, Minnesota | Minnetonka High School |
| 9 | | Sydney Baldwin ( C ) | Senior | D | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 1996-01-15 | Minnetonka, Minnesota | Minnetonka High School |
| 10 | | Cara Piazza ( C ) | Senior | F | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 1995-10-09 | Darien, Illinois | Downers Grove South High School |
| 12 | | Grace Zumwinkle | Freshman | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 1999-04-23 | Excelsior, Minnesota | Breck School |
| 14 |  | Lindsay Agnew | Sophomore | F | 5' 7.5" (1.71 m) | 1998-03-09 | Oakville, Ontario | King's Christian Collegiate |
| 15 | | Jackie Pieper | Junior (RS) | F | 5' 6" (1.68 m) | 1995-10-09 | Edina, Minnesota | Merrimack College (Hockey East) |
| 16 |  | Amy Potomak | Freshman | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 1999-01-25 | Aldergrove, British Columbia | George Eliot Secondary |
| 17 | | Sierra Smith | Junior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 1996-09-02 | Stillwater, Minnesota | Stillwater Area High School |
| 18 | | Katie Robinson | Sophomore | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 1997-10-08 | Kasson, Minnesota | Kasson-Mantorville High School |
| 19 | | Kelly Pannek | Senior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 1995-12-29 | Plymouth, Minnesota | Benilde-St. Margaret's |
| 20 |  | Alex Woken | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 1998-02-25 | Fargo, North Dakota | Shattuck-Saint Mary's |
| 23 | | Caitlin Reilly | Senior | F | 5' 5" (1.65 m) | 1995-09-05 | Chanhassen, Minnesota | Penn State (CHA) |
| 24 | | Olivia Knowles | Freshman | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 1999-01-24 | Campbell River, British Columbia | Penticton Secondary School |
| 25 | | Nicole Schammel | Junior (RS) | F | 5' 5" (1.65 m) | 1996-04-09 | Red Wing, Minnesota | Red Wing High School |
| 26 | | Sarah Potomak | Junior | F | 5' 5" (1.65 m) | 1996-04-08 | Aldergrove, British Columbia | George Eliot Secondary |
| 27 | | Patti Marshall | Sophomore | D | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 1998-05-11 | Thief River Falls, MN | Shattuck-Saint Mary's |
| 28 | | Taylor Wente | Freshman | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 1999-04-01 | Plymouth, Minnesota | Maple Grove High School |
| 29 | | Alex Gulstene | Freshman | G | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 1999-04-14 | Vancouver, British Columbia | Penticton Secondary School |
| 30 | | Serena D'Angelo | Sophomore | G | 5' 4" (1.63 m) | 1998-04-02 | Stoney Creek, Ontario | Blyth Academy |
| 31 | | Emma May | Junior | G | 5' 6" (1.68 m) | 1996-10-21 | Eagan, Minnesota | Eagan High School |
| 37 | | Sidney Peters | Senior (RS) | G | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 1995-02-26 | Geneva, Illinois | North American Hockey Academy |
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Natalie Rose Darwitz is an American ice hockey executive, coach, and retired player, most recently serving as general manager of PWHL Minnesota in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).
The Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey team plays for the University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. The team is one of the members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in Division I. The Golden Gophers have won six NCAA Championships as well as the final American Women's College Hockey Alliance Championship. In the WCHA, they have also been regular season champions 11 times and tournament champions 8 times. In addition to their overall success as a competitive team, the Gophers have also been ranked in the nation's top two teams for attendance since becoming a varsity sport, and the team holds the second largest single-game attendance record for women's collegiate hockey, drawing 6,854 fans for the first Minnesota women's hockey game on November 2, 1997. The team also holds the distinction of having the longest winning streak in women's or men's college hockey at 62 games from February 17, 2012 to November 17, 2013, winning back-to-back NCAA titles during the stretch.
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Sarah Potomak is a Canadian ice hockey player who competed with the Under-18 Canadian national women's hockey team. She made her debut with the Canada women's national ice hockey team at the 2015 4 Nations Cup, held in November 2015 in Sundsvall, Sweden. Along with her sister Amy Potomak, they are the first sister duo named to the roster of Canada's national women's ice hockey team. The two played together in a two-game series against the United States national women's ice hockey team in December 2016.
Amy Potomak is a Canadian-born women's ice hockey player who was named to the Canada women's national ice hockey team roster that competed against the United States in a pair of contests on December 13 and December 20. The series against the US was Potomak's debut with the national team.
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The Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey program represented the University of Minnesota during the 2016-17 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey season. The defending champions returned to the Frozen Four for the sixth consecutive year by upsetting Minnesota-Duluth in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament.
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