Re: Patty Kaz 2010
Here's my 10, considering team performance as well, and that can help or hurt. For example, Sarah Parsons had numbers that were good enough to get her included, but her team was the preseason coaches' pick in the ECAC and didn't even make the conference playoffs. That robs her year of much of its luster. These aren't the ten that I think WILL be named, just those that I would pick.
In no particular order:
Laura Fortino, D, Cornell -- the only D in the country to average a point a game. Yes, she's a freshman, but in an Olympic year, they tend to make more of an impact. While Dartmouth slid, Cornell surged, and Fortino bears the standard for the Big Red on behalf of White, Rougeau, and crew.
Felicia Nelson, F, St. Cloud State -- leading goalscorer in the country with 30, and by a healthy margin. Also leads in powerplay goals and GPG at .97. Almost a third of her team's 91 goals came off of her stick. Fueled the Huskies to their all-time best finish in the WCHA standings. Scored twice down the stretch to allow her team to tie #1 Mercyhurst, then had 3 goals in her team's 4-pt weekend versus Minnesota.
Laura Fridfinnson, F, Minnesota-Duluth -- her numbers aren't quite as strong as those of her teammate Blais, but I think she is UMD's most dangerous player. As much as Larocque's return sparked the Bulldogs second-half run, they don't come close to matching it without Fridfinnson, who made so many crucial goals happen. Her performance is all the more remarkable because she has been playing with a serious injury for much of the season.
Vicki Bendus, F, Mercyhurst -- when you lead the country in points, that says a lot about your season. Seems to be the pick of most Laker fans. Leads the country in SH goals with 5. Big, though small, reason her team has led wire-to-wire.
Jessie Scanzano, F, Mercyhurst -- #1 nationally in PPG and APG. That coupled with the Lakers' dominant season makes her a top-three lock.
Victoria Vigilanti, G, Quinnipiac -- admittedly, I have no idea who she is.
But when you've launched your team from oblivion to the bubble, maybe it is time that I learn, along with the rest of the hockey world. Ranks number 2 in GAA, #4 in Save %, #3 in minutes played. Frosh seems to be getting better, having not allowed more than a goal in any of her last 11 starts. The big problem with this pick ... she wasn't nominated.
Thus her spot goes to the injured senior
Christina Kessler, G, Harvard to represent the fine goalies of the ECAC.
Florence Schelling, G, Northeastern -- the sophomore is a big reason why the Huskies have been in or around the top ten all year. She ranks in the top five in both GAA and Save %.
Kelly Paton, F, New Hampshire -- nobody outside of Erie, PA racked up more PPG. Had a hand in over half of her team's goals in keeping the Wildcats a top-5 team.
Noora Räty, G, Minnesota -- leads the country comfortably in both GAA and Save %, the two categories generally acknowledged as the best measures of goaltending. Has only allowed more than one goal twice in 20 starts.
Bailey Bram, F, Mercyhurst -- solidly top ten and more likely top five in any offensive category outside of D and rookies.
Others I strongly considered: Micaela Long, F, UNH; Emmanuelle Blais, F, UMD; Hokey Langan, F, Ohio State; Courtney Birchard, D, UNH; Anne Schleper, D, Minnesota. Probably only 5 or 6 of mine make the top ten, but I can't help help it if the voters make mistakes.
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