The Gophers have clinched home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. The first round will be held from Feb. 28-March 2. The team that wins the best-of-three series will move on to the WCHA Final Face-off, which will be held in Bemidji, Minn. Wisconsin, which is one point behind Minnesota in the WCHA standings, has also clinched home ice.

In other women's hockey news, junior forward Meghan Lorence has been named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week. Lorence scored the game-winning goal in both games in Minnesota's sweep of St. Cloud State last weekend. She recorded three goals on the weekend. This is the second time this year Lorence has been given this award; she also received it after Minnesota's sweep at Yale in November.