The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

Although a silver medal was not how Sarah Davis envisioned the outcome of her first participation in the IIHF Women’s Worlds, a golden moment provided her with a redeeming and highly satisfying personal milestone. While she made national news as the first competitor from Newfoundland to participate on Canada’s national women’s hockey team, the native of Paradise, Newfoundland now has a new accolade to complement her athletic achievements. Recognized in a local ceremony, a street in Paradise proudly carries the new name of Sarah Davis Way. Joined by friends, family and fans alike, all eager to share in her jubilation. Humbled yet honored, Davis recognized many who helped her along the way, especially her parents. Of note, some of her first hockey experiences involved skating on a backyard rink constructed by her father. A handful of political officials were also present, including Mayor Dan Bobbett, Member of Parliament Jack Harris and Transportation Minister, David Brazil. ...

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 ...

A total of nine goals were logged in a pulse-pounding NCAA Frozen Four contest destined to go down in history as one of its most important matches ever. With the defending two-time national champion Minnesota Golden Gophers entering the contest with a 38-1-1 mark, the crowd at High Point Solutions Arena in Hamden, Connecticut (site of the 2014 Frozen Four) could be forgiven if they believed the Gophers were the heavy favorites. Opposing the Golden Gophers was an ambitious Clarkson Golden Knights program that had reached several milestones. From winning its first-ever ECAC regular season title, the Golden Knights were also competing in their first-ever Frozen Four. Clarkson certainly entered the game with a significant boost of morale. The night before, the 2014 Patty Kazmaier Award was bestowed upon Jamie Lee Rattray, the all-time leading scorer in Golden Knights history. Having beaten Gophers skater Hannah Brandt for the honor, it was a foreshadowing of things to come. Aft...

For a Minnesota Golden Gophers squad that has made its share of NCAA women’s hockey history, January 18 marked a new milestone for the proud program. Competing at TCF Bank Stadium, the Golden Gophers competed in their first home outdoor game. It was also the first NCAA Division I outdoor game ever held in the state of Minnesota. With an attendance of 6,623 fans, it was the largest attendance for a home game since November 2, 1997, the first game in program history (an 8-0 win against Augsburg). Of note, the Golden Gophers played in one other outdoor game, a January 29, 2011 contest on the road versus the Wisconsin Badgers. Attendance for that event was 10,668 fans, the highest attendance for a road game in program history. Playing against fellow WCHA rivals, the Minnesota-State Mankato Mavericks, the Hockey City Classic marked what fans hope can become an annual tradition. Improving their mark to 21-1-1 on the strength of three points by Sarah Davis, the Golden Gophers have...

For every women’s hockey player, there is no greater thrill than to don the jersey of your home country. The moment is truly enhanced when one can do so on the world’s biggest stage. Megan Bozek, the best defender to ever come from the state of Illinois (her hometown is Buffalo Grove), is looking to maintain her winning ways at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Having played for the undefeated Minnesota Golden Gophers squad in 2012-13, it is an accomplishment in sport as prestigious as the 1972 Miami Dolphins or the 1996 Chicago Bulls who won as astounding 72 games. Quite possibly the greatest women’s hockey team assembled in US women’s collegiate hockey history, Bozek’s tenure on the team has immortalized her as a true legend. Of note, other members from the undefeated Minnesota squad joining Bozek in the quest for gold include 2013 Patty Kazmaier Award winner Amanda Kessel and Lee Stecklein, who towers in at 6’ tall, one of the tallest on the squad. While she goes about her tim...

With a record-setting 62 consecutive wins, the Minnesota Golden Gophers revolutionized NCAA women’s hockey. During the memorable run, players such as Rachel Bona, Megan Bozek, Rachel Davis, Amanda Kessel, Noora Raty, Jen Schoullis and Kelly Terry helped carve a legacy that may never be matched again. Just as all things must pass, so do must the memorable streak. Perhaps fittingly, the streak ended against a WCHA rival. The North Dakota Fighting Sioux, who met the Golden Gophers in the 2013 WCHA final and 2013 NCAA tournament, finally solved the maroon and gold in a match for the ages. Having logged three goals in the first period, the 3,150 stunned fans at Ridder Arena saw the Golden Gophers face a three-goal deficit. Kayla Gardner opened the scoring at the 6:12 mark against sophomore Amanda Leveille. Freshman Gracen Hirschy added to the lead at 10:34 while Finnish national team member Susanna Tapani scored the third goal on the power play. Just 1:50 into the second stanz...