The 2004–05 Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey season represented the University of Minnesota during the 2004–05 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey season. The Gophers had an overall record of 36–2–2, and a 25–1–2 record in WCHA conference play. Both totals established the most wins in a season and in conference action since the start of the Gophers program in 1997–98. From the beginning of the season to the end, the Gophers were ranked No. 1. In addition, the Gophers were ranked in the top five in every statistical category, including winning percentage, power-play and offensive scoring.

Regular season

Standings

During the 2004–05 season, Krissy Wendell set an NCAA record (since tied) for most shorthanded goals in one season with 7. After graduating from Minnesota, she had the career record for most shorthanded goals in a career with 16. Ironically, both marks were tied by Meghan Agosta. Krissy Wendell scored the game-winning goal in the 2005 WCHA championship game against Wisconsin. She followed that with a hat trick against ECAC champion Harvard. She was the NCAA runner-up in the scoring race to Gophers teammate Natalie Darwitz with 98 points.

Schedule

Source .

Roster

Source:

Player stats = Indicates team leader

Skaters

Natalie Darwitz40 42 72 114 2.8500 0 9 9 5Krissy Wendell 40 43 61 104 2.6000 0 9 14 7Kelly Stephens 40 33 43 76 1.9000 0 5 16 2 Lyndsay Wall39 14 34 48 1.2308 0 0 12 0Bobbi Ross40 15 18 33 0.8250 0 2 10 2Erica McKenzie36 12 9 21 0.5833 0 2 3 0Andrea Nichols40 10 8 18 0.4500 0 2 3 2Chelsey Brodt40 4 13 17 0.4250 0 0 1 0Ashley Albrecht40 4 12 16 0.4000 0 2 1 0Becky Wacker36 5 7 12 0.3333 0 2 0 1 Allie Sanchez39 2 8 10 0.2564 0 1 0 0 Liz Palkie40 3 5 8 0.2000 0 0 0 0Noelle Sutton34 2 5 7 0.2059 0 0 0 0 Anya Miller39 2 5 7 0.1795 0 0 0 0 Jenelle Philipczyk40 2 4 6 0.1500 0 1 0 0Maggie Souba35 1 3 4 0.1143 0 1 0 0Krista Johnson31 1 2 3 0.0968 0 0 0 0Stacy Troumbly36 2 0 2 0.0556 0 0 1 0Whitney Graft31 0 1 1 0.0323 0 0 0 0Jody Horak28 0 0 0 0.0000 0 0 0 0Brenda Reinen12 0 0 0 0.0000 0 0 0 0

Goaltenders

Jody Horak 28 24 2 2 41 1691:41 1.45 8 498 .924 Brenda Reinen 12 12 0 0 12 719:37 1.00 5 212 .946

Postseason The Gophers then went on to win their second straight WCHA Championship with a 3–2 overtime win over Wisconsin. In the NCAA playoffs, the Gophers defeated the Providence Friars by a 6–1 score. With the win, the Gophers advanced to its fourth-straight NCAA Frozen Four appearance. The Gophers defeated the Dartmouth Big Green by a 7–2 score in the semifinal game. In the first period, the Gophers scored five goals in the first period. On March 27, the Gophers defeated the Harvard Crimson by a 4–3 mark to win their consecutive national championship.

Awards and honors Natalie Darwitz, Patty Kazmaier Award top three finalist Laura Halldorson, WCHA Coach of the Year (her third award) Krissy Wendell, Patty Kazmaier Award (Wendell became the first player from Minnesota, and the first from the WCHA to win the Patty Kazmaier Award) The Gophers had four players garner All-America honors, the most in a single season.

References