SB Nation Minnesota - Gophers Hockey: Minnesota Wins 6-2; Splits Series With Michigan Techhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2011-12-11T00:24:21-06:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23886682011-12-11T00:24:21-06:002011-12-11T00:24:21-06:00Gophers Hockey: Minnesota Wins 6-2 In A "Fighting" Finish To First Half
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<p>Two things became clear tonight at Mariucci Arena. First, Michigan Tech is a team which wants to prove to the WCHA that this year's team is not the doormat that the Huskies have been the last decade. Secondly, don't get the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers angry in the third period. They will make teams pay in more ways than one.</p>
<p>Minnesota (14-5-1, 11-3-0 WCHA) defeated Michigan Tech (9-8-1, 6-7-1) 6-2 Saturday on the strength of four 3rd period goals. The Gophers split their two game series with the Huskies and ended the first half of the season on a winning note.</p>
<p>""[Winning tonight's game] was huge, said senior Joey Miller. "We know you can't the conference in the first half of the season but we can lose it." </p>
<p>Unlike Friday, the Gophers came out strong Saturday. They spent almost the entire first 8 minutes in the Huskies zone creating chance after chance - including a missed shot at an open net by Christian Isackson - but ended the first period tied at one with Michigan Tech.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">I</span>t was not until Kyle Rau found himself alone in front of Michigan Tech goalie Josh Robinson that the Maroon and Gold were able to get on the board 7:37 into the game. At that point Michigan Tech was being out-shot 7-0 and needed to use its timeout to regroup. </p>
<p>The move seemed to pay off when the Huskies tied the game at 1 nine minutes later. In the dying seconds of a Seth Ambroz penalty, Milos Gordic's shot broke the stick of Minnesota defenseman Blake Thompson and trickled over to Jordan Baker who scored his fourth goal of the season.</p>
<p>Along with an ongoing count of broken sticks, the second period was taken over by special teams. With neither team able to get anything going even strength, Jake Hansen gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead when the senior tipped an Erik Haula shot on the power play for his 7th goal of the season. Hansen's goal ended up being the only goal of the period but Michigan Tech was given a five minute major with 2:42 left. Gophers defenseman Blake Thompson was called for a major penalty and game misconduct after hitting a Michigan Tech player in the head in front of the Huskies bench.</p>
<p>Minnesota head coach Don Lucia was behind Thompson, calling it his best game before the penalty. However it was a rough night for the freshman, who was playing his first game since taking three penalties in a 5-4 loss to Vermont.</p>
<p>Although Minnesota killed the first part of the five minute major before the period ended, Daniel Sova tied the game at 2 only 86 seconds into the final period. The sophomore scored his second goal of the season on a slap shot on the point and the momentum once again seemed to shift in the Huskies' favor. Michigan Tech had already won the night before and a sweep was within grasp.</p>
<p>Then the Gophers went into sixth gear.</p>
<p>Four goals in fifteen minutes turned what looked to be a tight match-up for forty minutes into a full-fledged rout. Mark Alt started the scoring 3:30 into the third period when he went low into the left circle and shot a cannon past Robinson to make it 3-2 Minnesota.</p>
<p>"Hey it worked for [Bjugstad]," said Alt. "Why not me too?"</p>
<p>That goal gave the Gophers the spark they needed and it was off to the races for the Maroon and Gold. Both goalies gave up plenty of rebounds tonight and Minnesota finally was able to take advantage of that in the third period to give them separation.</p>
<p>Nick Bjugstad was the first when he took the rebound from a Nate Schmidt shot and broke his four-game goalless skid. Joey Miller, who found out this morning he was playing in his first game all season, got the crowd of 9,771 at Mariucci Arena on their feet in a standing ovation when he tipped in a shot to make it 5-2. Finally, Hansen came out of a scrum with his second goal of the night to give Minnesota a 6-2 lead with 1:46 left in the game.</p>
<p>"It was key that our big players stepped up," said Miller.</p>
<p>Despite giving up four goals, Michigan Tech wanted to make a statement that they were not the pushovers of yesteryear and they did it through physical play. The Huskies were assessed 33 minutes in penalties in the last 2:19 and included three sets of fights. It escalated to the point where Lucia and a Michigan Tech assistant were yelling at each other at close range; an achievement which the student rewarded the Gophers coach with a chant of "Don Lucia."</p>
<p>When asked about the last five minutes, the Minnesota players were fine with it - including Miller and Alt who both "thought it was awesome" - but Lucia stated that it was "not how you wanted the game to finish."</p>
<p>Regardless, Minnesota won with better play than Friday; this was a game they deserved. The Gopher hockey team made better passes, they battled hard in the corners, didn't take many bad penalties and most of all got in front of rebounds. As much as Michigan Tech wanted to prove to the rest of the WCHA that they are a different team, Saturday night Minnesota showed what they are capable of at their best.</p>
<p>At least for one game.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-hockey/2011/12/11/2627461/gophers-hockey-minnesota-wins-6-2-in-a-fighting-finish-to-first-halfNathan Wells2011-12-10T19:58:33-06:002011-12-10T19:58:33-06:00Minnesota vs. Michigan Tech Saturday Line Combinations
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<p>After last night’s 3-2 overtime to Michigan Tech, Gophers coach Don Lucia has shuffled his lineup around. Four players – the fourth line last night of Tom Serratore, Travis Boyd and Nick Larson and Jake Parenteau – are sitting tonight after lackluster performances while Joey Miller, Christian Isackson, Nico Sacchetti and Blake Thompson take their place.</p>
<p>It’s particularly special for Miller, who is making his senior season debut tonight.</p>
<p>As always, Kent Patterson is between the pipes for Minnesotan while Josh Robinson gets the start for the Huskies. Michigan Tech made no changes from last night.</p>
<p><strong>Minnesota Golden Gophers Line Combinations</strong></p>
<p><em>Forwards:</em><br> Kyle Rau – Nick Bjugstad – Zach Budish<br> Sam Warning – Erik Haula – Jake Hansen<br> Nate Condon – Taylor Matson – Seth Ambroz<br> Joe Miller – Christian Isackson – Nico Sacchetti</p>
<p>Defense:<br> Seth Helgeson – Justin Holl<br> Ben Marshall – Mark Alt<br> Nate Schmidt – Blake Thompson</p>
<p>Goalies (bold indicates starting):<br> Kent Patterson<br> Michael Shibrowski<br> Jake Kremer</p>
<p><b>Michigan Tech Huskies Line Combinations</b></p>
<p>Forwards:<br> Ryan Furne – Brett Olson – Jordan Baker<br> David Johnstone – Jacob Johnstone – Alex MacLeod<br> Blake Pietila – Tanner Kero – Milos Gordic<br> Bryce Reddic – Patrick McCadden – Dennis Rix</p>
<p>Defense:<br> Steven Seigo – Riley Sweeney<br> Bradley Stebner – Jimmy Davis<br> Daniel Sova – Carl Nielsen</p>
<p>Goalies:<br> Josh Robinson<br> Kevin Genoe</p>
<p>Tonight’s game starts at 8:00 PM and airs on Fox Sports North’s <a target="new" href="http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/12/05/11/Saturday-Gophers-hockey-on-alternate-cha/landing_gophers.html?blockID=619768&feedID=3697">Alternate Channel</a>. As always, you can follow me on Twitter for in-game hockey updates live from Mariucci <a href="http://www.twitter.com/gopherstate" target="_blank">@gopherstate</a> <font face="monospace">and follow </font><a href="http://www.twitter.com/sbnminnesota">@sbnminnesota</a> for the best in Minnesota sports.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-hockey/2011/12/10/2627122/minnesota-vs-michigan-tech-saturday-line-combinationsNathan Wells2011-12-09T23:12:52-06:002011-12-09T23:12:52-06:00Gophers Hockey: Olson's OT Goal Hands Minnesota First Home WCHA Loss
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<p>With the way the night was going, it was becoming apparent that Friday's game was going to be won or lost by the goalies. Unfortunately for the 9,451 Gophers fans at Mariucci Arena, Josh Robinson was the better goalie. The senior for Michigan Tech (9-7-1, 6-6-1 WCHA) made 34 saves and the Huskies beat the second-ranked Gophers 3-2 in overtime on a goal from captain Brett Olson thirty-three seconds into the extra period. </p>
<p>"I thought Robinson had a great game tonight," said an unhappy Minnesota head coach Don Lucia.</p>
<p>Both teams started slow until Mark Alt got the Gophers on the board first 10:22 into the game. The sophomore defenseman scored his third goal of the year with a shot from the blue line that went off a Michigan Tech defender past Robinson. Minnesota (13-5-1, 10-3-0 WCHA) picked things up but a pass by Blake Pietila hit a Gophers' skate in front of the net and trickled past Kent Pattesron to tie the game at 1.</p>
<p>Fluke goal or not, Michigan Tech hung in with the second-ranked Gopher hockey team. Minnesota entered Friday 12-1 when scoring first and the Huskies were able to keep getting chances and shots on Patterson, who made 23 saves. That included a slap shot by David Johnstone which hit the senior goaltender flush in the mask.</p>
<p>Neither team scored in the second period as Minnesota could not get past Robinson. This was despite them having seven shot attempts in front of the crease and an almost four minute power play between two Huskies penalties where the best opportunity came shorthanded from Michigan Tech sophomore Ryan Furne.</p>
<p>"Tonight was rough, said Alt. "It's happened to us before that we come out slow on Friday."</p>
<p>At one point the shots were 9-2 for the Gophers in the second period - they ended up out-shooting the Huskies 14-5 - but it was Michigan Tech who took the lead 1:07 into the third on a Jacob Johnstone power play goal which found its way past Patterson.</p>
<p>After that point, defense took over. Minnesota's defense never seemed to click Friday and Coach Lucia tried a couple different pairings to shake things up. On the Michigan Tech end, the team continued having four players back on the blue line and making the Gophers beat them through speed. Minnesota's speed didn't work but their slap shots did as one from the blue line by junior defenseman Seth Helgeson tied the game at 2 with 13:03 left,</p>
<p>Unfortunately for Helgeson, his high was matched by the low of getting beat on the game-winning goal. With both goalies standing tall and denying breakaways and odd-man rushes, sixty minutes were not enough. Thirty-three seconds into overtime, Brett Olson happened to be "in the right place at the the right time" and won a foot race with the Minnesota defenseman. It ended with him shooting the puck between Patterson's legs and Michigan Tech snapped the Gophers goalie's four-game winning streak against the Huskies.</p>
<p>"I did what I was supposed to do," said Helgeson after the game. "Maybe I could have had a different stick position.</p>
<p>Regardless, defense and sloppy play doomed Minnesota, who are now tied for first in the WCHA with Minnesota Duluth, as Michigan Tech was the better overall team Friday Although Robinson played well and made the difference, it was the Huskies team which handed the Gophers their first WCHA home loss.</p>
<p>"Any time we can play [Minnesota] and get a win it's good," said Olson. "We have to go back and regroup at the hotel [for Saturday]. We know what type of team they are. There's a reason they are at the top of the WCHA." </p>
<p>For Minnesota's sake, they better know that reason tomorrow.</p>
<p><i>Minnesota and Michigan Tech finish their two-game series at Mariucci Arena tomorrow night. The game starts at 8 PM and will be broadcast on Fox Sports North's Alternate Channel.</i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-hockey/2011/12/9/2625292/gophers-hockey-olsons-ot-goal-hands-minnesota-first-home-wcha-lossNathan Wells2011-12-09T18:45:24-06:002011-12-09T18:45:24-06:00Minnesota vs. Michigan Tech Friday Night Line Combinations
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<p>The Gophers are returning to a familiar lineup in the first game of their two game series against the Michigan Tech Huskies. Sam Warning returns to the lineup after being scratched Saturday against Minnesota State. The freshman has six points in 16 games but an erratic game Friday gave Christian Isackson a chance Saturday.</p>
<p>As always, Kent Patterson is between the pipes for Minnesotan while Josh Robinson gets the start for the Huskies.</p>
<p><strong>Minnesota Golden Gophers Line Combinations</strong></p>
<p><em>Forwards:</em><br>Nate Condon - Taylor Matson - Seth Ambroz<br>Kyle Rau - Nick Bjugstad - Zach Budish<br>Sam Warning - Erik Haula - Jake Hansen<br>Tom Serratore - Travis Boyd - Nick Larson</p>
<p><em>Defense:</em><br>Seth Helgeson - Justin Holl<br>Ben Marshall - Mark Alt<br>Jake Parenteau - Nate Schmidt</p>
<p><em>Goalies (bold indicates starting):</em><br><strong>Kent Patterson</strong><br>Michael Shibrowski<br>Jake Kremer</p>
<p><br><b>Michigan Tech Huskies Line Combinations</b></p>
<p><i>Forwards:</i><br>Ryan Furne - Brett Olson - Jordan Baker<br>David Johnstone - Jacob Johnstone - Alex MacLeod<br>Blake Pietila - Tanner Kero - Milos Gordic<br>Bryce Reddic - Patrick McCadden - Dennis Rix</p>
<p><i>Defense:</i><br>Steven Seigo - Riley Sweeney<br>Bradley Stebner - Jimmy Davis<br>Daniel Sova - Carl Nielsen</p>
<p><i>Goalies:</i><br>Josh Robinson<br>Kevin Genoe</p>
<p>Tonight's game starts at 7:00 PM and airs on Fox Sports North. As always, you can follow me on Twitter for in-game hockey updates live from Mariucci <a href="http://www.twitter.com/gopherstate" target="_blank">@gopherstate</a> and follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sbnminnesota" target="_blank">@sbnminnesota</a> for the best in Minnesota sports. </p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-hockey/2011/12/9/2624926/minnesota-vs-michigan-tech-friday-night-line-combinationsNathan Wells2011-12-09T17:15:17-06:002011-12-09T17:15:17-06:00Minnesota vs. Michigan Tech Game Time, TV Schedule, Radio & More
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<p>The 13-4-1 University of Minnesota hockey team returns to WCHA play this weekend against the 8-7-1 Michigan Tech Huskies in a two game series this weekend at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. The Huskies are looking to rebound from being swept by Minnesota Duluth while the Gophers swept Minnesota State last weekend.</p>
<p>Minnesota comes into this weekend as the nation's second-ranked team in both the USCHO and USA Today poll. Michigan Tech is not ranked in the top twenty this week after dropping out of the rankings due to being swept. The Gophers lead the WCHA with a 10-2-0 record while the Huskies are tied for sixth place with a 5-6-1 record.</p>
<p>Details for this weekend's series are below. Remember that Saturday's game is not on the regular Fox Sports North channel because of the Minnesota Wild playing Phoenix. It is instead on an alternate Fox Sports North channel.</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Location For Both Games:</b><span style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; "> </span><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; ">Mariucci Arena, Minneapolis MN</span></p>
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<b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Game #1 Date/Time:</b> <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; ">Friday December 9, 7:00 p.m. CST</span><br><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">TV Schedule: </b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">Fox Sports North (Channel Listings </span><a style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #113d85; font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" href="http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/channelfinder/">Here</a><span style="font-weight: normal; ">)<br></span><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Announcers:</b> <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; ">Anthony LaPanta and Kevin Gorg</span>
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<b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Radio:</b> <a style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #113d85; " href="http://www%2C1500espn%2Ccom/" target="_blank"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; ">ESPN 1500</span><br></a><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "></b>
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<b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Game #2 Date/Time:</b> <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; ">Saturday December 10, 8:00 p.m. CST</span><br><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">TV Schedule:</b> <span style="font-weight: normal; ">Fox Sports North Alternate Channel (Listings For Alternate Channel </span><span style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/12/05/11/Saturday-Gophers-hockey-on-alternate-cha/landing_gophers.html?blockID=619768&feedID=3697" target="_blank">Here</a>)</span>
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<b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Announcers:</b> <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; ">Anthony LaPanta and Kevin Gorg</span><br><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Radio:</b> <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; ">ESPN 1500</span>
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<p><i>For more Gophers coverage, check out <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com" target="_blank">The Daily Gopher</a></i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-hockey/2011/12/9/2624674/minnesota-vs-michigan-tech-game-time-tv-schedule-radio-moreNathan Wells2011-12-09T16:27:39-06:002011-12-09T16:27:39-06:00Gophers Hockey: Minnesota Ends First Half Of Season Against Michigan Tech
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<img alt="Nathan Condon celebrating a Gophers goal (photo courtesy of Paul Rovnak)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-V_DtH-TDaN3vrwuttmzXXe4VsA=/0x300:599x699/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/563027/fsu5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nathan Condon celebrating a Gophers goal (photo courtesy of Paul Rovnak)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For more Gophers coverage, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com" target="new">The Daily Gopher</a>.</p> <p>The end is near...</p>
<p>...the first half of the season, that is. The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey team finish the first half of its WCHA schedule this weekend against the surprising Michigan Tech Huskies (8-7-1, 5-6-1 WCHA) at Mariucci Arena. Minnesota (13-4-1, 10-2-0 WCHA) comes off of sweeping Minnesota State at home in a pair of ugly games and looks to continue their winning ways against the Huskies.</p>
<p>For much of the last decade, Michigan Tech has been an afterthought in the WCHA and a regular in the cellar. In fact, the Huskies only won a total of four games last season. This season, however, Michigan Tech has surpassed that win total before Christmas in just the WCHA and are tied for sixth. Under new coach Mel Pearson, the Huskies have been able to turn things around and sweep Wisconsin and take 3 of 4 points from Denver. They were swept last weekend by UMD but there's a reason the Bulldogs are the top team in college hockey (despite being swept at home by the second-ranked Gophers).</p>
<p>Besides Pearson, a large reason for the Huskies' success has been because of their defense. They've given up 1.5 less goals per game this season compared to 2010-2011 and are getting quality play from senior goaltender Josh Robinson. He's 7-5-1 this season with a pair of shutouts and a .920 save percentage, third in the WCHA behind Gophers goalie Kent Patterson and UMD's Kenny Reiter.</p>
<p>For Minnesota, who is second in the nation with 4.17 goals per game, that presents an interesting challenge. However the Gophers have getting more scoring from secondary players and last weekend was the first sophomore Nick Bjugstad did not score a goal. Instead, senior captain Taylor Matson scored twice, Erik Haula continued his strong play and freshman Seth Ambroz scored for the first time since the opening game of the year.</p>
<p>With the Gophers facing a number of defensive teams lately, it would be surprising if Michigan Tech went away from that gameplan. At the same time it is hard to see Bjugstad go another weekend without scoring - he is second in the nation in goals with 15 - but regardless of his line's production, which also includes freshman Kyle Rau and redshirt sophomore Zach Budish - there are players who can pick up the pieces.</p>
<p>Michigan Tech has relied on a pair of senior forwards this season in Brett Olson and Jordan Baker. Both forwards missed large portions of last season with injuries but are at the top of the score sheet this year. In addition, Milos Gordic leads the Huskies with 7 goals this season and has been a Gopher killer in the past. The junior scored 4 goals last season against Minnesota in four games; including two in one game.</p>
<p>In the end, the edge still goes to the Gopher hockey team. There's a reason why they are the only team in college hockey with 13 wins, are ranked second in the nation and Michigan Tech has been a surprise team with a .500 record. Minnesota has more depth, a better goalie in Kent Patterson and is playing at Mariucci Arena where they have only lost one game all season.</p>
<p>However, the Huskies are well suited in the role of spoilers as the first half of the season draws to a close. With quality defense and the ability to shut down better teams, it's not like Michigan Tech has been a surprise all season.</p>
<p><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Minnesota hosts Michigan Tech next weekend at Mariucci Arena. Friday's game is at 7 PM Central while Saturday's game starts at 8 PM. Both games will be broadcast on Fox Sports North with Saturday's game being shown on an alternate channel. </i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2011/12/9/2624082/gophers-hockey-minnesota-ends-first-half-of-season-against-michiganNathan Wells