Both Minnesota hockey teams will be without a forward for the foreseeable future.
Junior Taylor Williamson and sophomore forward Luke Notermann are missing time on the ice this season.
In Williamson's case, she at least suited up Friday during Minnesota's season opening 4-3 loss to Merrimack. The Edina, MN native didn't leave the bench for the locker room yet wasn't playing during the second and third periods. She was scrtached in Sunday's 4-1 win.
"She's out indefinitely with an injury," head coach Brad Frost said Sunday of Williamson, the 2015 Minnesota Ms. Hockey Award winner.
Williamson spent the latter part of 2016-17 on the team's second line, flourishing with a stretch where she had 4 goals in 5 games. This season Frost started her on the third line with Kippin Keller and freshman Taylor Wente.
Losing Williamson for an extended period of time puts a strain on the Gopher blue line. Thanks in part to three potential forwards gone for Olympic duty, Minnesota only has 18 skaters (12 forwards and 6 defenders). Junior Sophie Skarzynski went from defender to forward Sunday.
"Hopefully we can keep five D back there," said Frost."We don't have many more options unless we can pull somebody from the stands."
On the men's side, every eligible forward skated in Minnesota's 6-2 exhibition victory over Alberta. That left out transfer Connor Hurley and Notermann, who head coach Don Lucia said was unable to play.
He likely will be unable to play for a while.
"We're hoping (Luke)'ll be back playing, at least skating, but as of now it appears that he'll be missing the year," said Lucia.
Notermann had one assist in 10 games last season for the Gophers, filling in spot duty throughout the second half of 2016-17. Being without Notermann leaves five forwards - Darian Romanko, Jack Ramsey, Ryan Norman, Joey Marooney and freshman Cullen Munson - in the mix for three spots on Minnesota's fourth line. All five were rotating at times, with Romanko being a constant presence, during Sunday's exhibition.
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