Minnesotans sweep WCHA women’s awards

Plymouth’s Cameranesi, Warroad’s Amsley-Benzie and Lakeville’s Joyce honored

WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Dani Cameranesi – Sophomore, Forward
University of Minnesota

Cameranesi led Minnesota with three points in a home sweep of Minnesota Duluth that clinched the Gophers’ third straight WCHA regular season title. The sophomore from Plymouth, Minn. registered two assists in Friday’s 7-1 win, before scoring the game-winning goal in Saturday’s 2-0, championship-clinching victory. Cameranesi, who has surpassed her freshman year point total, ranks fourth in the nation with 51 points, third with 32 assists and tied for third with six game-winning goals. In WCHA play, she ranks second with 39 points, 15 goals, 24 assists and a +31 on-ice rating in 25 league games.

Also nominated: Danielle Gagne, Sr., F, Ohio State; Josefine Jakobsen, Sr., F, North Dakota; Abby Ness, Sr., F, St. Cloud State; Kaitlyn Tougas, Jr., F, Bemidji State; Blayre Turnbull, Sr., F, Wisconsin

WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Shelby Amsley-Benzie – Junior, Goaltender
University of North Dakota

Amsley-Benzie recorded her second pair of back-to-back shutouts, blanking St. Cloud State by scores of 4-0 and 2-0 for a weekend sweep that vaulted North Dakota into third place in the WCHA standings. The junior from Warroad, Minn. made a total of 38 saves between the two games and helped UND go a perfect nine-for-nine on the penalty kill. Amsley-Benzie, who has set UND’s records for career wins (47), career shutouts (12) and single-season blankings (7), leads the nation with a .953 save percentage this season. Since Jan. 1, she has been even better, pacing all NCAA netminders with a .972 save mark, 0.72 goals against average and six shutouts.

Also nominated: Ivana Bilic, Jr., D, Bemidji State; Stacy Danczak, Jr., G, Ohio State; Rachel Ramsey, Sr., D, Minnesota

WCHA Rookie of the Week
Alexis Joyce – Freshman, Defenseman
Bemidji State University

Joyce led Bemidji State with three points as the Beavers pulled within one point of fourth place – and home ice for the WCHA playoffs – following a road sweep at Minnesota State. The freshman from Lakeville, Minn. recorded all of her points Friday, recording a trio of assists to spark a 4-0 Bemidji State victory. She also finished the weekend with a team-best five blocked shots. Joyce leads the Beavers’ freshman class – and all WCHA rookie defensemen – with 16 points on four goals and 12 assists. She also ranks second nationally with 106 blocked shots.