Gophers forwards Amanda Kessel and Hannah Brandt received weekly honors from the WCHA on Wednesday. Kessel was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week, and Brandt was named the WCHA Freshman of the Week.

Kessel saw limited action last weekend because she is recovering from offseason hip surgery, but she still scored three goals and three assists in two games against Colgate. Kessel scored a goal Friday and then added two goals and three assists Saturday.

Brandt recorded a hat trick in her first collegiate game Friday. The next day, she scored two more goals and had four assists. She leads the Gophers with nine points in two games.

Minnesota hosts St. Cloud State on Oct. 5-6. The Gophers' 2011-12 national championship banner will be raised Friday night before the puck drops.