Gameday preview: Gophers women's hockey vs. RIT
March 14, 2015 at 6:06AM
NCAA Quarterfinal • 4 P.M. VS. ROCHESTER INS. • RIDDER ARENA
Streaming: GopherSports.com • Radio: 105-FM
At stake: The winner advances to the Women's Frozen Four, also at Ridder Arena, and will play either Wisconsin or Boston University next Friday in the NCAA semifinals.
Minnesota (31-3-4): The Gophers were blanked in all three defeats this season, including last Saturday's 1-0 letdown against Bemidji State in the WCHA tournament semifinals. The Gophers ranked No. 2 in the nation heading into that game, behind Boston College, but still claimed the No. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament. Four Gophers have surpassed the 40-point mark: Hannah Brandt (31 goals, 36 assists), Dani Cameranesi (23, 39), Kelly Pannek (13, 29) and Maryanne Menefee (21, 20). Junior goaltender Amanda Leveille ranks second in the nation with a .946 save percentage.
RIT (15-18-5): The Tigers won the Division III title three years ago before climbing to Division I the next season. They made this NCAA field by defeating Mercyhurst (4-1) and Syracuse (2-1, OT) last weekend to win the College Hockey America tourney. The Tigers play a similar style to Bemidji State, designed to limit opponents' scoring chances. Goaltender Ali Binnington stopped 70 of 72 shots last weekend. But the Tigers' leading scorer, Lindsay Grigg (7 goals, 11 assists) would rank 11th on the Gophers in points. This will be the first time the Gophers and RIT will meet.
JOE CHRISTENSEN
about the writer
Amisha Ramlall burst on to the recruiting scene last season as a freshman and colleges, including the Gophers, quickly took notice.
