Kelly Pannek, 6 Minnesota alums make US National Team for 2018 Olympics

Senior to-be Kelly Pannek for now will be putting off her final year at Minnesota to pursue an Olympic gold medal.

The United States announced its national team roster Friday (May 5, 2017) following a week-long tryout camp with 42 players.

Seven of the eight players with Minnesota ties at the camp were among those named to the 23 woman roster.

That includes Pannek, the nation's 2016-17 leader in points, who was one of three players with college eligibility remaining on the team along with Wisconsin forward Annie Pankowski and Minnesota Duluth goaltender Maddie Rooney.

They will live and train together in Tampa, Florida for the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea beginning in September. The USWNT will also participate in pre-tournament competitions. Relocating to Florida is a change from past Olympic cycles where the US team spent time in Blaine, MN.

BLOG: News & Notes You & I May Have Missed

I spent this past week in Chicago covering the Frozen Four for SB Nation. While that didn't stop me from being able to put up a couple stories on players leaving and decommitting, a few pieces of news slipped through the blog.

This post is to quickly catch up on any news you may have missed.

In addition, I will also get to continuing the "What's Next" series later this week.

Gophers stand united with USWNT, turn down chance to play in World Championships

One of the biggest stories in hockey right now is the ongoing stalemate between the United States Women's National Team and USA Hockey.

The USWNT is currently threatening to boycott the upcoming World Championships (being played in Plymouth, MI) over a year-long negotiation over fair wages and support. (For a full timeline, click here.) As a team they have been standing together

Two current Gophers, Lee Stecklein and Kelly Pannek, and several Minnesota alums (Megan Bozek, Hannah Brandt, Amanda Kessel, and Gigi Marvin) are members of the US senior team.

Show us what #BeBoldForChange means to you. pic.twitter.com/P1iZqNtucw

— Lee Stecklein (@LeeSteck2) March 24, 2017

While the two have had been negotiating, USA Hockey took the step of contacting replacement players before the championships begin March 31st. Several collegians, including at least Minnesota players, have said no to the opportunity to represent their country.

***

Today I will do what others won't so tomorrow I can do what others can’t. I said no to USAH & will not play in the 2017WC #BeBoldForChange

— Cara Piazza (@carr_81) March 24, 2017

***

Today I will do what others won't so tomorrow I can do what others can’t. I said no to USAH & will not play in the 2017WC #BeBoldForChange

— Sydney Baldwin (@sydbaldwin9) March 24, 2017

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Today I will do what others won't so tomorrow I can do what others can’t. I said no to USAH & will not play in the 2017WC #BeBoldForChange

— Taylor Williamson (@twilly_7) March 24, 2017

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I'll update this if any more (i.e. Dani Cameranesi) post the same message.

UPDATE: Cameranesi did.

#BeBoldForChange pic.twitter.com/FIbz69wRpP

— Dani Cameranesi (@DaniCam9) March 24, 2017

UPDATE #2 (March 25th): Gopher freshman defender Patti Marshall turned down USA Hockey as well.

Today I will do what others won't so tomorrow I can do what others can’t. I said no to USAH & will not play in the 2017WC #BeBoldForChange

— Patti Marshall (@pattimarshall16) March 25, 2017 

2017 NCAA Tournament: Gophers get back Dani Cameranesi

Mixed in with national championship banners, Minnesota getting a star player back late in the season is quickly becoming a Gopher signature move.

In this case the player is senior co-captain Dani Cameranesi, who surprisingly returned last week for Minnesota from a lower body injury suffered nearly two months ago. She will be in the lineup today for the team's NCAA Quarterfinal on the road against Minnesota Duluth.

Puck drop is at 2:30 and can be streamed here.

Cameranesi was cleared a few days prior to the WCHA Final Faceoff, according to head coach Brad Frost.

Game Story: Gopher women's hockey team tops Bemidji State to advance to WCHA Final Faceoff (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

2/27/2017 Game Story

Bemidji State 2
Minnesota 3
FINAL

MINNEAPOLIS- Kelly Pannek and the rest of the Gophers women’s hockey team were aware of the stakes Sunday against Bemidji State.

Facing elimination and the pressure of a must-win Game 3, the Gophers needed a victory in the first round of the WCHA playoffs to continue controlling their own destiny. Without a win, Minnesota could have lost an opportunity to host a NCAA tournament quarterfinal. It would also leave getting a chance to defend its national championship in doubt.

Minnesota (25-6-5) brushed off a pair of scares, getting top performances from its top players. The Gophers defeated Bemidji State 3-2 at Ridder Arena to win the best-of-three series two games to one and live to play another weekend.

“Before this week even started, we knew what we had to do,” said Pannek, who finished with two goals Sunday set up by linemate Sarah Potomak. “This series shows our season, the ups and downs that we have had and fighting back from adversity in a way. Bemidji’s a great team, and they are so tough to play against. They play such a disciplined style of hockey.”

The Gophers emphasized getting out to a quick start Sunday. Following Saturday’s loss in a game it never led, Minnesota began with an 8-1 advantage in shots, testing the BSU defense with several chances by Pannek.

She was rewarded with the opening goal 10:35 into the game. Afterward, the Gophers did not trail.

Click here to read the rest 

Minnesota returns home rejuvenated for stretch run (SB Nation College Hockey)

(This article originally appeared at SB Nation College Hockey)

Minnesota has spent enough time on the road where the norm of late has been to practice at home all week before waking up Friday and take a road trip to an opposition rink.

Since November 27th, the Gophers have played two games at Ridder Arena, where the team is 11-0-1. That ends this weekend when Minnesota (21-5-3, 17-4-3-2 WCHA) begins a regular season-ending four game homestand when the Gophers host North Dakota. A week later Wisconsin comes to town then the Gophers play at home in the WCHA first round.

Blog: Eric Schierhorn, Lee Stecklein earn player of the week awards

Minnesota players Eric Schierhorn and Lee Stecklein each were honored for their play last weekend.

Schierhorn was named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week after making 25 saves in a 4-0 shutout win Saturday against Bemidji State. The game began with the sophomore goaltender, who has four shutouts this season and seven overall, stopping three different breakaway attempts in the opening minute.

Wisconsin's Cameron Hughes and Matthew Freytag were the first and second star, respectively.

Stecklein was the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honoree for her play in Minnesota's sweep of St. Cloud State. The redshirt senior captain tied a NCAA high for points by a defender this weekend with 4 (1G-3A) in 2 games, with 3 (1G-2A) coming in Minnesota's 5-0 win Saturday. The Gophers allowed only a single goal in the pair of victories.

Two other Gophers, Nicole Schammel and Kippin Keller, were among the honorable mentions for WCHA Offensive Player of the Week and WCHA Rookie of the Week.

Minnesota Duluth's Lara Stalder was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for the third consecutive week. Wisconsin's Alexis Mauermann earned the WCHA Rookie of the Week honor.