Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel will face off on a hot topic in Minnesota sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week in Minnesota. Lambert and Thiel will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why they are right.
This week’s topic: Will the Gophers make it a three-peat?
Last weekend, the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team won its second national championship in a row, beating Boston College 3-1. This week, Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel voice their opinions about the Gophers chances of a three-peat. Let’s talk about it… (Recap by Sam Thiel)
Matthew Lambert / Winonan
Calling the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team a dynasty isn’t something to scoff at.
In fact, following their 2016 championship season, they’ve won four out of the last five championships for Division I and, in my opinion, the window is beginning to close.
All good things come to an end. Even the greatest dynasty of our generation, the UConn women’s basketball team, came to an end.
The Gophers are pulling in championships, and have been lucky enough to string together solid recruits to replace those once outstanding players.
The biggest needs will be at goalie and one of the forward spots.
Amanda Leveille is a senior and ranked fourth in goaltending leaders posting a record of 29-4-1. The duty will be passed down to either redshirt sophomore Sidney Peters or first-year Emma May.
Replacing senior forward Hannah Brandt will be much easier. The Gophers had three players in the top eight in scoring with Brandt placing fifth, junior Dani Cameransei placing fourth, and freshman Sarah Potomak taking eighth place.
These concerns seem minor, the Gophers, in my estimation will have a fairly short shelf life. My expectation with all of my vast hockey knowledge and ability to see into the future is a total of two more championships.
Sam Thiel / Winonan
While the majority of Minnesota sports fans are preparing themselves for baseball season, the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team flew under the radar, beating Boston College 3-1 to win its second national championship in a row, and fourth out of the last five years.
Not since the Minnesota Lynx in the last few years have we seen such dominance in Minnesota sports. Here’s the scary thought: they have what it takes to win another title.
Like all college powerhouse programs, seniors and superstar players who decide to get drafted early are easily replaced. The Gophers graduate five seniors, including forward Amanda Kessel, who finished tied for fourth in goals (97) and points (231) and also played for the 2014 U.S. Olympic team that won silver. Minnesota had 14 players under the year of a sophomore on its roster, which will help them long-term.
Minnesota is the team to beat next season as they have five national championships in their trophy case. Only two teams, the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have multiple championships with five and four, respectively. No other team in their conference has won a title.
Minnesota is known as the state of hockey, and the Gopher women’s team has represented that mantra the last few years. They will continue their dominance of college hockey and they will win, in the words of DJ Khaled, “another one.”
