2015 NCAA playoffs serve as Hannah Brandt’s finest hour
After suffering a heartbreaking (yet historic) loss to the upstart Clarkson Golden Knights in the championship game of the 2014 NCAA Frozen Four, it would prove to be a very long offseason for a very proud Minnesota Golden Gophers program. Having earned a national title as a freshman in 2013, Hannah Brandt’s aspirations for a second straight title were dashed. With the absence of Amanda Kessel during the 2013-14 season (due to the Sochi Winter Games), it only compounded the impact of the losing. For Brandt, the responsibility of leadership and the need to anchor the team’s offensive attack, runner-up was not the desired outcome at the Frozen Four. Also finishing as the runner-up in voting for the 2014 Patty Kazmaier Award to Clarkson’s Jamie Lee Rattray was another blow that added to the disappointment. Heading into the 2015 edition of the NCAA playoffs, the level of pressure was greater than ever for Brandt. While there were many significant milestones during her junior ...