The University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, the reigning - and first-ever - NCAA women's ice hockey National Champions, are raring to begin their third season after dominating women's college hockey in their first two years as a varsity program.

Minnesota-Duluth has powered its way to a 53-10-7 record the past two seasons while winning the school's first-ever national title in team sport. The Bulldogs finished their 2000-01 championship season with a 28-5-4 overall record and a 15-5-4 WCHA mark. The team went unbeaten (19-1-3) in 22 of its final 23 games, racking up the most wins (28) and goals (200) in the country, and sported an .807 winning percentage. Before winning the NCAA title, UMD also captured its second WCHA playoff crown in as many years.

But Head Coach Shannon Miller, who built the program since it began, knows to expect anything but a smooth ride in 2001-02.

"The roller coaster ride is beginning," she said. "We have 14 players returning, ten new additions and we'llo have several players in and out of the lineup preparing for the 2002 Olympics. This will be a season of adapting to change, building new friendships and developing a new team chemistry. We have five months to adjust, to learn and to grow. By March we hope to be united and untouchable."

The roster will feature new talent from Minnesota, Montana, Switzerland and Russia and those newcomers will be called on fill big holes left by the departure of team captain and NCAA All-Tournament Team defenseman Brittny Ralph, junior blueliner Pamela Pachal, and Team Finland forward Sanna Peura. Alos, Maria Rooth and Erika Holst will play for Team Sweden, Hanne Sikio, Tuula Puputti, and Satu Kiipeli are members of Team Finland, and freshman forward Kristina Petrovskaia will miss time while with Team Russia.

The Bulldogs will have help weathering the winds of change from 14 returning national champions (9 forwards, 4 defensemen, 1 goalie). One of the old top 'Dogs' is junior All-American forward Maria Rooth, the MVP of both last year's WCHA tournament and NCAA Frozen Four. A two-year finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award (outstanding player in women's college hockey), had a pair of seven-point nights and five hat tricks to her 2000-01 credit and was the nation's 3rd leading scorer with 41-31=72.

Bringing beautiful stick handling and a bullet slap shot to the offense is two-time All-WCHA junior forward Hanne Sikio. Sikio (34-34=68), who scored the winning goal in last year's NCAA title game, went on a 12-game scoring streak at the end of the '00-01 season, finishing 2nd in the conference scoring race and 5th nationwide.

Olympian Erika Holst, who topped last year's team in PPGs (10) and game-winners (6), will return to intimidate opponents with her strong physical presence and scoring ability. This 2001 All WCHA Tournament Team winger contributed 25-27=52 in her second year.

UMD will also look to a trio of juniors - Joanne Eustace (15-24=39), Laurie Alexander (7-15=22), and Jenny Hempel (8-10=18) - to provide an offensive charge and tenacious two-way performance.

The defense will be bolstered by some veterans of last year's corps. One of the leading 'Dogs' at the point will be sophomore Satu Kiipeli, who produced 10-28=38 in her freshman year, 3rd among league defensemen. Kiipeli will get help from junior defensive specialist Navada Russell, an 2001 WCHA All-Tournament Team choice.

One of the strongest parts of the Bulldogs' lineup will be their remarkable goaltending, provided by two internationally-experienced netminders and a local talent. Tuula Puputti, one of UMD's Olympians and NCAA All-Tournament Team picks, posted a 2.11 gaa, a .912 sv%, and four shutouts in 32 games as a starter.

Providing relief in goal are newcomers Patricia Sautter, a member of the Swiss National Team, and Maghan Grahn, from the Roseau (MN) boy's hockey system.

In addition, four new forwards and defensemen also join the lineup. More international flavor will be added by 2001 World Championship bronze medallist and Russian national team F Kristina Petrovskaia and Finnish Jr. National Team F Nora Tallus. Local products Leah Kasper and Julie Fearing will help the offense while Julianne Vasichek, Larissa Luther, Meghan Stotts and Heather Tudahl will bolster the defensive corps.

by Ira Turunen, UMD SID

© 2010 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy (UPDATED) | Terms of Use | About Us | Advertise | Feedback | XML RSS Feeds