Women's Hockey Celebrates Seniors This Weekend Against SCSU

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 2/8/07
Section: Womens Sports

The Minnesota State women's hockey team's senior class has seen some amazing things in its four seasons playing for the Mavericks.

• The first games this group played as collegians, they helped orchestrate the most resounding pair of victories in the program's history, perhaps women's hockey history: a home sweep over three-time defending national champion Minnesota-Duluth.
• The program's first ever victory over the University of Minnesota, a 3-2 overtime victory, on a game-winning goal by then-freshman, now-senior defenseman Richelle St. Croix later that season.
• A three-point weekend at UMD, the first points earned at Duluth in team history, in November.
• MSU's first series sweep of Minnesota, last month at All Seasons Arena.
• The 2003-04 group - when this season's seniors were freshman - is the most successful team in MSU history: nine wins in the WCHA and 16 overall.

With a successful series sweep this weekend over St. Cloud State, the 2006-07 bunch will tie the school record for wins in a season. Their victory over Bemidji State last Friday already secured the WCHA mark, as the Mavs improved their conference record to 10-12-2.

"All those things were such great stepping stones," said Mavericks head coach Jeff Vizenor. "But I don't know if you can really compare them because they are so different. Only four kids are a common denomonator between them all."

Those four kids - St. Croix, Sammy Miller, Megan Jedinak and Shera Vis - will be honored this weekend following Saturday's matinee against SCSU. Looking at the accomplishments of this group - Vizenor has a lot to be thankful for.

"They will leave as the winningest group we have ever had," said Jeff Vizenor. "It's not easy being a college athlete, and these kids have gone through the ups and downs and the tough times to be what it takes.

"They have paid the price to be a part of something special."

Each of those stepping stones has a special place in the hearts of the seniors. For Miller, the Duluth series in October of 2003 still reigns supreme in her mind.

"Coming right in from high school and us having a winning record right away," Miller said, "that's probably the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me."

Vis disagrees, if only partially. For her, it was the Minnesota series just one month ago that will remain entrenched in her mind.

"Sweeping them here, at home, in front of our fans," Vis said, "it was the first time I had ever heard our fans chanting 'Lets go Mavs!' It was a great team effort and I will remember it forever.

Don't blame Vis if she is a bit biased, however: She scored the game-winning goal in each win over UM.

"That helped too. It was probably one of my best weekends here."

For years, Vizenor has called Vis a scorer and someone who has the ability to put the puck in the net. Forgive those that felt a bit mislead coming into this season. For all his heaps of praise, Vis had 12 goals in three seasons.

But this season has been different for Vis.

Not only has she scored 10 goals - a career high - but her goals have been timely ones: she has three game-winners this year.

"Some of it is confidence," Vizenor said. "She is also getting a lot of minutes. She shoots the puck great, that has never been a question. But she is older and wiser and putting herself in good spots to score goals."

Vis has also been been one of the best two-way players on the team this year. A staple on all special teams, Vis has been used as a defenseman as well.

"She has been a tremendous leader this year," Vizenor said. "She has been such a great role player, being a defensive stopper, working on the PK and the power-play. She has just been an outstanding part of our program.

For her part, Miller has been key, too. Although her stats don't necessarily show a knack for offense, the South St. Paul native is almost always matched up against the opponent's top-line.

"Sammy is someone we are gonna miss when she graduates," Vizenor said. "She is another one of those defensive stoppers. She skates well, is aggressive and when she is at the top of her game, she is tough to beat."

And although a comeback is possible in the WCHA standings, it won't be easy. MSU plays a pair against the seventh place Huskies at home this weekend, while Ohio State, the team the Mavericks are chasing, plays two at No. 2 Wisconsin. The Mavs play at the Buckeyes next weekend.

Face off from All Seasons Arena is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 3:07 p.m. Saturday.

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor