Her accomplishments read like something a sixth-grader might dream: Win a state championship, play for Olympic gold and have a chance to become the only hockey player — men's or women's — to win four NCAA titles. Graduate from the Carlson School, double major. Become one of 15 nominees for the Humanitarian Award, which goes to "college hockey's finest citizen."
Lee Stecklein, a three-time Gophers captain, was asked if she's been able to reflect on all those accomplishments — real, not imagined — heading into Saturday's NCAA quarterfinal at Minnesota Duluth.
"If I reflect too much, I'll cry," the Roseville native said.
The stakes are too high for that now. The No. 5 Gophers (25-7-5) are two-time defending national champions, but this is the first time they've had to go on the road to start the NCAA tournament since 2011.
No. 3 UMD (25-6-5) has won three of five games against the Gophers this season, including last Saturday's 2-1, double-overtime thriller in the WCHA semifinals at Ridder Arena.
UMD also swept the Gophers in Duluth two months ago.
"Those two losses stung a little more than most just because we weren't happy with how we played," Stecklein said. "So it was definitely a quiet bus ride, but I think it gave us a kick in the pants to be better."
Since that series, the Gophers are 9-2-3, including two ties against No. 1 Wisconsin. In those 14 games, the Gophers have allowed just 16 goals during regulation, which is a credit to goaltender Sidney Peters and the rest of the defense.