forward who is among the team's point leaders, rookie goalie Kim Martin and sophomore second-line forward Sara O'Toole will miss the series.
Earlier this month the team learned that forwards Samantha Hough and Julianne Jubinville are out for the season.
Now the few healthy players left are speculating what could possibly happen next.
"I was cracking up [when I heard about Tuominen]. I thought everyone had had chicken pox by the time they were 20 years old," said sophomore defender Myriam Trepanier. "What's next? Is anybody going to get pregnant or anything?"
A team breakout of the chicken pox would have been a long shot. Most of the players had been exposed to the virus as children. Just Noemie Marin was susceptible -- but she has missed practice this week while training with the Canadian National Team. Marin is expected to rejoin the team today.
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Miller said Thursday that Tuominen was no longer contagious.
According to Tuominen's description of her symptoms, she seems to have a mild case and had no visible pox on her face. She said she is not affected by itchiness, fever or fatigue.
Tuominen sat out practice on Thursday, but did complete a solo workout.
Tuominen leads all UMD rookies in points with six goals, 13 assists, and she expects to be ready to play today and center the second line of Jessica Koizumi and Emmanuelle Blais. On Tuesday, Tuominen, of Ylojarvi, Finland, was named the WCHA rookie of the week.
"I've gotten more confidence," said Tuominen, a 2004 Winter Olympian with Team Finland. "I know our game style better. My linemates are not so strange ... We can find each other. I've developed."
Tuominen said her strength is that she is a defensive-minded offensive player.
"I see the ice well, I see where my linemates are going," she said. "I'm maybe not the fastest player on the ice."
SCORING
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Through 22 games
(13-7-2)
Player Goals Asts Pts.
Koizumi, F 14 11 25Marin, F 12 13 25
Holmlov, F 4 15 19
Tuominen, F 6 13 19
Blais, F 5 12 17
O'Toole, F 6 10 16
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Trepnaier, D 3 8 11
Lanzl, F 5 5 10
Rasmussen, D 1 8 9
Demeule, F 8 1 9
Mattila, F 3 5 8
Sales, D 2 5 7
Waggoner, D 1 2 3
Vacker, D 0 1 1
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Murray, D 0 1 1
Hawkins, F 1 0 1
Hakala, D 0 0 0
Olson, F 0 0 0
UMD 71 111 182
Opponents 38 55 93
GOALTENDING
Player Save % GGA
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Martin ..950 1.39
Schaublin .916 1.97Meyer 1.00 0
Penalties -- Koizumi 9-18; Marin 9-18; Holmlov 6-12; Blais 16-32; Tuominen 5-10; O'Toole 6-12; Trepanier 14-28; Lanzl 8-16; Rasmussen 15-30; Waggoner 17-45; Vacker 10-20; Murray 8-16; Hough 1-2; Hawkins 8-16; Olson 6-12; bench 6-12.
Special teams --Power play 27-of-131 (19.6); Penalty kill -- 123-of-141 (87.2)
What: Western Collegiate Hockey Association women's series
When: 7:07 p.m. today; 2:07 p.m. Sunday
Where: John S. Glas Fieldhouse (2,358)
Rankings/standings: UMD is No. 9 in the USCHO.com poll and tied with Minnesota at No. 2 in the conference; Bemidji State is unranked and tied with Ohio State at No. 4 in the WCHA.
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Radio: KDAL 610 AM
Series: UMD is 31-0-1 against the Beavers and won 6-2, 6-0 in the first half of the season.
coaches
UMD coach Shannon Miller is 189-53-22 in her eighth season.
* Bemidji State coach Steve Sertich is in his first season.
Beavers update
Bemidji State is on a six-game unbeaten streak after sweeping North Dakota 4-1, 1-0 last weekend. Sr. F Helena Tageson (7 goals, 4 assists) scored the Beavers' lone goal in Saturday's win and Jr. G Emily Brookshaw (.907 save percentage, 2.89 goals against average) earned the fourth shutout of her career and is the WCHA defensive player of the week. Sr. F Jenn Sadler (7-4--11), Jr. F Tara Hiscock (3-2--5), Sr. D Mandy Bambrough (2-3--5) and Sr. F Kate Robinson (8-6--14) scored in Friday's win. The Beavers offensive leaders include Sr. F Kelly Hart (5-10--), Robinson and Sr. F Nikki Eckebrecht (7-4--11).
bulldogs update
UMD earned its first sweep since Oct. 27-28 last weekend, topping St. Cloud State 4-2, 1-0. Sr. F Michaela Lanzl (5-5--10) scored two goals in the series, including the game winner on Sunday. Sr. G Riitta Schaublin (.916, 1.97 GAA) earned her third shutout of the season, 16th of career. The Bulldogs have key players out of the lineup, including Fr. G Kim Martin (leg), Fr. F Elin Holvlov (back), So. F Sara O'Toole (back). Fr. F Saara Tuominen, who is the WCHA offensive player of the week, may have chicken pox but is expected to play this weekend. Sr. F Noemie Marin (12-13--25) has been at a Canadian National Team camp this week, but is expected to return in time to play. Miller said she expects some injured players to return for next weekend's series at Ohio State. The Bulldogs' power play has struggled and is 27-for-131 (19.6 percent).
UMD lines
Karine Demeule-Noemie Marin-Michaela Lanzl; Jessica Koizumi-Saara Tuominen-Emmanuelle Blais; Erin Olson-Tawni Mattila-Jessica Hawkins; Kirsti Hakala
Defensive pairs
Jaime Rasmussen-Ashly Waggoner
Sarah Murray-Myriam Trepanier
Suvi Vacker-Jill Sales
Goalies
Schaublin, Amie Meyer
