MINNESOTA DULUTH VS. MINNESOTA
What: Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Face-off semifinal
When: 7:07 p.m. today
Where: Sanford Center, Bemidji, Minn.
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Records: UMD is 15-14-6; Minnesota is 34-1-1.
Rankings: Minnesota is ranked No. 1 by USCHO.com.
Series: Minnesota leads 40-24-6, including 10 straight wins.
Coaches: Shannon Miller, in her 15th season at UMD, is 363-129-45; Brad Frost is 220-37-17 in seven seasons at Minnesota.
Internet: americaonesports.com and wcha.com (free videostreaming)
UMD update: The Bulldogs took two out of three games against Ohio State to win the first-round playoff series last weekend. Senior winger Jamie Kenyon (team-high 17 goals, 14 assists, 31 points) scored three goals in the series, while junior forward Zoe Hickel (13-14-27) scored twice in the decisive 5-1 victory. Junior Jenna McParland (11-21-32) remains the team's top scorer and Ashleigh Brykaliuk (11-12-23) is the highest-scoring freshman. Sophomore goaltender Kayla Black (2.26 goals-against average, .920 save percentage) posted her fifth shutout of the season and ninth of her career in a 1-0 series-opening win against Ohio State, but, like the rest of the team, has struggled against the Gophers. UMD, a five-time WCHA champion, is 3-5 in its playoff history vs. Minnesota, last winning in the 2010 conference final during the team's run toward a fifth NCAA title.
Minnesota update: The Gophers swept St. Cloud State 4-1 and 7-1 last weekend to extend their unbeaten run to 22 games. That came on the heels of a record 62-game winning streak that ended with a 3-2 midseason loss to North Dakota. Minnesota is seeking a third consecutive NCAA Division I title and fifth overall. Three WCHA teams -- UMD, Minnesota and Wisconsin -- have accounted for all 13 NCAA titles. Sophomore Hannah Brandt (21-40-61), one of three Patty Kazmaier Award finalists, and junior Rachael Bona (20-35-55) are the top scorers for a team that averages 1.2 more goals per game (4.8) than any other team. Seniors Sarah Davis (19-28-47) and Kelly Terry (17-27-44) are other viable scoring options. Sophomore goalie Amanda Leveille (1.08, .950) is second nationally in goals-against average and tied for first in save percentage.
RICK WEEGMAN, NEWS TRIBUNE
