Hockey: Gophers Travel to Duluth Without Three Key Players
Minnesota will face the Bulldogs short-handed as its top defender and two forwards suit up for national teams.
By Mateo Castillo ·
The University of Minnesota women’s hockey team will play its next two games without three players who are currently representing their national teams. The Gophers travel to the University of Minnesota Duluth for a two-game series beginning Friday.
Junior defenseman Chloe Primerano, junior forward Julia Schalin, and sophomore forward Tereza Plosova are absent. Primerano is with Team Canada, Schalin is with Finland, and Plosova is with Czechia. They are all preparing for the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship. Their departures leave Minnesota without its leading defensive point scorer and two forwards.
Head coach Greg May acknowledged the difficulty of losing personnel during the middle of the season. He stated that the team will use the situation to improve. May expressed confidence that the roster depth would allow the Gophers to adjust. “I am hoping that our depth shows through, and I know it will,” May said.
Primerano leads the team’s defense in points with eight. Her absence requires other defenders to take on more responsibility. Senior defender Molly Jordan noted that the team has developed chemistry with Primerano but is prepared to adapt. Jordan said, “Everyone needs to step up and play with the girls.”
The forward line also faces changes. Schalin and Plosova’s departures force the coaching staff to find new line combinations. Sophomore forward Bella Fanale said that having depth allows players to perform with less individual pressure. “It makes us be able to play free for sure and not have as much pressure on ourselves,” Fanale said.
The University of Minnesota Duluth will also play without key players. Forward Caitlin Kraemer and goaltender Eve Gascon are out. Gascon has the lowest goals against average in the NCAA and four shutouts through five games. Kraemer leads the Bulldogs with seven goals and nine points.
Minnesota enters the series after splitting two games with Ohio State and sweeping Lindenwood. The Gophers will open the series on Friday at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth and play their second game on Saturday.
Source: Minnesota Daily
