Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2016-2017 (aka Season 20)
It might have been too nice a day outdoors to go inside a building with ice on the floor.
But I did.
Minnesota dominated the first period but didn't get a goal. A goal would have been nice but it turned out that a first period goal was totally unnecessary, the Gophers also dominated the second period and outscored MSU in that period by 6-1.
So many highlights, so much great play. Where to start? Well with the first one I think. It was a spectacular tic-tac-toe, Pannek in the corner to Cameranesi on the boards behind the net, out in front to Potomak, snap shot, goal. Brilliant. Some times assists are just sort of granted to the player or players who last touched the puck before the goal scorer made the magic moment happen. Not in this case, two brilliant plays, two great passes, one great top shelf shot, GOAL.
Mankato got a goal to tie 1-1 and then the Gopher fourth line took a penalty. It was a moment when something good COULD have happened for Mankato but instead it went spectacularly all wrong. First Pannek on the PK stole a pass near the top of the zone and went sole breakaway, shifted from forehand to backhand for the shorthanded goal. In the next few moments Mankato committed an icing violation and then even worse, took a penalty while still on the PP. Minnesota rode out the remaining 25 seconds of 4 on 4 and then went to a PP. Pannek scored again. About three minutes of special teams play that began with MSU on the power play ended with two goals from Pannek. Thirty-seven seconds later Cameranesi got the first of her two. Four minutes later she got her second.
The first line having established a 5-1 lead it was time for the other lines to score and the centers on the second and third line each tallied, two by Schammel, and then the final goal of the game a laser wrist shot from the top of the slot near the circle by Williamson.
It was a spectacular day outdoors and indoors the Gophers provided entertainment that I personally found to be worthy of passing up just another day in November with 70 degree temperatures.
Exact same roster for the Gophers today as what they sent out Friday, again no Piazza.
And today I definitely DID see Cline as a forward on the PP. Second unit maybe? Baldwin and Marshall on the points, Cline, Williamson and Schipper. Cline taking Piazza's spot on that unit?
I also am pretty sure that Megan Wolfe's brother was in attendance.
