SB Nation Minnesota - 2012 College Hockey schedule: No. 2 Minnesota hosts Minnesota State this weekendhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2012-11-23T07:02:40-06:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33609352012-11-23T07:02:40-06:002012-11-23T07:02:40-06:00College Hockey schedule: Minnesota faces Vermont
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>It will be a busy weekend for Minnesota college hockey as the teams near the halfway point of the season.</p> <p>After dropping one spot to No. 4 in the latest USCHO.com college hockey poll, Minnesota will attempt to move back up the rankings as they go on the road.</p>
<p>The Golden Gophers will travel to Vermont for two key games against the Catamounts. Vermont is just 2-5-2 on the season, but are 2-2 at home. A 1-0-1 weekend against Wisconsin last week caused Minnesota to drop one spot in the poll, so the Golden Gophers may need to sweep Vermont if they want to remain in the top five. </p>
<p>Minnesota isn't the only ranked area team going on the road this weekend as No. 12 St. Cloud State will play two games at Minnesota-Duluth. The Huskies return to the ice after a weekend off. St. Cloud State has not played since November 10. While they have been good at home, going 5-1-0, the Huskies have struggled on the road. They are just 1-3-0 on the road this season.</p>
<p>Here is a closer look at this weekend's schedule:</p>
<p><b>Friday</b></p>
<p>6:05 CT: Minnesota at Vermont<br>7:05 CT: St. Cloud State at Minnesota-Duluth<br>7:05 CT: Minnesota Stat at Wisconsin</p>
<p><b>Saturday</b></p>
<p>6:05 CT: Minnesota at Vermont<br>7:05 CT: St. Cloud State at Minnesota-Duluth<br>7:05 CT: Minnesota Stat at Wisconsin</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-hockey/2012/11/23/3681186/ncaa-hockey-schedule-2012Mark Sandritter2012-11-04T01:21:30-05:002012-11-04T01:21:30-05:00Mavericks earn split with a 2 goal third period
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<figcaption>University of Minnesota redshirt junior forward Zach Budish | Minnesota Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>Minnesota State freshman forward Dylan Margonari put the Mavericks ahead for good with 3:41 left in the game Saturday and JP Lafontaine added an empty netter to beat the second ranked Gophers 5-3 in Mankato despite 3 points from Erik Haula. Minnesota plays Alaska-Anchorage on the road next weekend.</p> <p>For two periods, Saturday's game had all the makings of another Minnesota comeback. The Gophers trailed 2-0 and 3-2 before tying the game and looked to have control before an ugly truth set in.</p>
<p>It's hard to keep coming back time after time because eventually one of those times you will get burned. </p>
<p>Minnesota State freshman forward Dylan Margonari put the Mavericks ahead for good with 3:41 left in the game and JP Lafontaine added an empty netter to beat the second ranked Gophers 5-3 in Mankato. Phil Cook made 25 saves for Minnesota State (3-3-0, 1-3-0 WCHA), who earned a split in their home and home series with Minnesota (5-2-0, 2-2-0 WCHA).</p>
<p>Erik Haula (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a>), <span>Nick Bjugstad</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a>) and Nate Condon (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a>) scored for the Gophers while <span>Adam Wilcox</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>) made 30 saves in his first collegiate defeat.</p>
<p>The Mavericks got out to a fast start for the second straight night as Minnesota had trouble getting the puck out of their own zone. Several passes were off target or given away to Minnesota State, who out-shot the Gophers 17-6 in the first period, and they were able to get out to a quick 2-0 lead. Josh Nelson started the scoring off of a face-off 6:20 into the game and after Nate Schmidt was called for a penalty, junior forward Zach Lehrke took advantage on the power play.</p>
<p>Lehrke's goal finally woke Minnesota up and they began to scrap their way back. Haula cut the lead in half on a <a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/11/3/3596900/gophers-hockey-erik-haula-just-scored-this-gem-video" target="_blank">diving goal-of-the-year contender</a> and Bjugstad evened the game up 56 seconds into the second period. Bjugstad's goal, his fourth of the year, came on the power play when he was able to get open for a cross-ice pass. Minnesota State's Johnny McInnis gave the Mavericks a 3-2 lead 12:14 into the second when he scored off a rebound. However, Nate Condon scored 26 seconds later to deadlock the game once again. </p>
<p>That was as close as the Gophers got. Although the team tested Cook, they were unable to take the lead Saturday and unlike Friday, Minnesota State didn't fold in the third period. That became apparent just 12 seconds into the period when the Mavericks were able to successfully kill an Eriah Hayes tripping penalty. There was something different in their demeanor; the Mavericks had better shorthanded chances than Minnesota did on their own power play. It continued throughout the third period with the end result being Margonari's late goal following another Gopher power play.</p>
<p>After going 3 for 6 last night with the man advantage, Minnesota was 1 for 5 Saturday. It was also only the second time Haula, who had three points on the night, scored a goal and the Gophers lost since the beginning of the 2011-2012 season. Minnesota had been 15-1-1 since then.</p>
<p>Overall, a lot of credit has to go to the Mavericks. They didn't fade away when they have in the past and never let Minnesota take the lead. The fact was while the Gophers made defensive adjustments, Minnesota State took it to them and earned head coach Mike Hastings his first WCHA victory. </p>
<p><i>Minnesota next plays on the road against Alaska-Anchorage Friday and Saturday. Both games start at 10:00 p.m. CT and won't be broadcast on television.</i></p>
<p><i>For more University of Minnesota coverage, check out <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/" target="_blank">The Daily Gopher</a>. You can also read up on the WCHA and college hockey at <a href="http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog.com/" target="_blank">Western College Hockey</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl" target="_blank">SB Nation's NHL hub</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>You can follow Nate on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/gopherstate" target="_blank">@gopherstate</a></i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/11/4/3597360/gophers-hockey-minnesota-state-beats-minnesota-5-3-for-first-wcha-winNathan Wells2012-11-03T20:35:05-05:002012-11-03T20:35:05-05:00Haula at this gem (Video)
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<figcaption>Gopher goal celebration | Minnesota Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>Minnesota junior forward Erik Haula scored a diving goal to bring the Gophers within 1 in the first period.</p> <p>Highlight-reel goals come in all shapes and sizes. If you are University of Minnesota junior Erik Haula (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a>), that includes diving tips.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8YN31vKj5N4" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1351991380686"></p>
<p><i>(s/t <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cjzero" target="_blank">CJ Fogler</a>)</i></p>
<p>Despite being taken down by Minnesota State forward Matt Leitner, Haula was able to tip a <span>Christian Isackson</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a>) pass past Mavericks goalie Phil Cook before crashing into the boards hard. He took a while to get up but is playing.</p>
<p>The score is presently 3-3 towards the second period. Josh Nelson and Zach Lehrke gave the Mavericks a 2-0 lead while <span>Nick Bjugstad</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a>) scored 55 seconds into the second on the power play to tie it at 2. Minnesota State's Johnny McInnis gave the Mavericks the lead 12:14 into the second but Gopher forward Nate Condon (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a>) scored 26 seconds later to deadlock the game again.</p>
<p><i>For more University of Minnesota coverage, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/">The Daily Gopher</a>. You can also read up on the WCHA and college hockey at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog.com/">Western College Hockey</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl">SB Nation's NHL hub</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>You can follow Nate on Twitter <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/gopherstate">@gopherstate</a></i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/11/3/3596900/gophers-hockey-erik-haula-just-scored-this-gem-videoNathan Wells2012-11-02T23:08:20-05:002012-11-02T23:08:20-05:00Gopher power play comes to life in 3-2 win
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<p>Zach Budish's first goal of the season with 14:20 left in regulation proved to be the difference as second-ranked Minnesota defeated in-state rival Minnesota State 3-2 Friday. The Gophers, who entered Friday 3 for 20 on the power play this season, scored all three goals with the man advantage. The two continue their series tomorrow at 7p.m. in Mankato.</p> <p>On a night where the Gopher power play came back to life, so did one of its leaders.</p>
<p>Redshirt junior captain Zach Budish (Nashvile <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Predators</a>) scored his first goal of the season to give second-ranked Minnesota (5-1-0, 2-1-0 WCHA) a 3-2 lead over Minnesota State University Mankato (2-3-2, 0-3-0 WCHA) and it proved to be the difference Friday night.</p>
<p>Freshman goalie <span>Adam Wilcox</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>) made 23 saves for his fourth consecutive win while Travis Boyd (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a>) and Nate Schmidt scored for the Gophers, who went 3-6 on the power play. Minnesota State goalie Phil Cook, meanwhile, made 29 saves in defeat.</p>
<p>"I don't think it's been a secret that I haven't played my best hockey for these first six games," said Budish, who returned to playing alongside his linemates last season <span>Nick Bjugstad</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a>) and Kyle Rau (Panthers).</p>
<p>However, it wasn't a great start for either Budish or Minnesota in large part thanks to another Zach. With Budish in the box for tripping, Minnesota State sophomore defenseman Zach Palmquist found himself wide open behind Wilcox and was able to easily tap in a JP Lafontaine pass 4:50 into the game to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>"I thought the compete was better. We played well in the first period," said Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings. "</p>
<p>Unfortunately for the Mavericks, their lead was shortlived. Boyd tied the score at 1 six minutes later on Minnesota's first power play after his shot went past a screened Cook. Boyd's goal was the spark Minnesota needed and ended up changing the tempo of the game. Instead of back and forth play, the Gophers ended up with the majority of the chances for the next twenty minutes.</p>
<p>Minnesota State's best opportunity, however, was good enough to give them a 2-1 lead. After both <span>Max Gaede</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">San Jose Sharks</a>) and Zach Lehrke tried to stuff the puck past a prone Wilcox, freshman Teddy Blueger (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>) scored on the third effort with 10:27 left in the 2nd period. It capped off an impressive night by the 2012 second round pick, who made his presence known in ways that didn't show up on the scoresheet.</p>
<p>"I thought (Blueger) was good tonight; just not on offense but on both ends of the ice," said Hastings. "We're going to have to find a way to get him to play more tomorrow."</p>
<p>The Gophers once again came back to tie the game on the power play, this time with Nate Schmidt capping a dominating shift. The sophomore defenseman scored by shooting a slap shot past Cook, who was screened by Budish. The screen was so good that Schmidt failed to notice he scored until his teammates started to celebrate.</p>
<p>"We had some good rhythm on the power play," said Minnesota head coach Don Lucia. "Especially the last one. You want to create chances when you aren't scoring and eventually it will happen.</p>
<p>"(Budish), he's focused now on his feet. When he's playing well he's moving his feet."</p>
<p>They continued to get chances with the man advantage as Minnesota State seemed to tire and spend 90% of their time in their own zone. While Budish came close early into the final period when his tip bounced off the crossbar (and was eventually reviewed to be a no-goal), his second opportunity to knock home a rebound was uncontested. The Mavericks had a couple late chances but Wilcox stood tall.</p>
<p>At the end of the night it was a big game for a struggling Minnesota power play. The Gophers, who entered Friday 3 for 20 on the power play, matched their total against Minnesota State and were much more successful in shooting pucks on net and creating chances. It hasn't been easy for them this season - especially when they give up the first goal - but Minnesota was able to take away something from its win Friday.</p>
<p><i>Minnesota and Minnesota State play again tomorrow night (Sat. November 3rd) in Mankato at 7 pm. CT. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports North.</i></p>
<p><i>For more University of Minnesota coverage, check out <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/" target="_blank">The Daily Gopher</a>. You can also read up on the WCHA and college hockey at <a href="http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog.com/" target="_blank">Western College Hockey</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl" target="_blank">SB Nation's NHL hub</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>You can follow Nate on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/gopherstate" target="_blank">@gopherstate</a></i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/11/2/3593668/gophers-hockey-minnesota-defeat-minnesota-state-3-2Nathan Wells2012-11-02T18:16:19-05:002012-11-02T18:16:19-05:00Budish returns to top line Friday
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<p>Line combinations for Friday night's WCHA contest between Minnesota and Minnesota State Mankato.</p> <p>After only scoring one goal on 42 shots in Sunday's win over Canisius, the Gophers are returning to an offense which worked well last season. Right wing Zach Budish, who scored 12 goals last season, is switching places with sophomore Christian Isackson in the top-six and reunites with Kyle Rau and Nick Bjugstad.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Sam Warning's unspecified injury means junior Nate Condon is bumped up to the second line while defenseman Ben Marshall is the third line left wing. He isn't the only blue liner up front, however, as junior Justin Holl will be on the fourth line alongside Tom Serratore and A.J. Michaelson.</p>
<p>Minnesota's starter is unknown at the moment although it is expected that Wilcox gets the nod.</p>
<p><b>University of Minnesota Golden Gophers</b></p>
<p><i>Forwards</i></p>
<p>Kyle Rau (#7) - <span>Nick Bjugstad</span> (#27) - Zach Budish (#24)</p>
<p>Nate Condon (#16) - Erik Haula (#19) - <span>Christian Isackson</span> (#26)</p>
<p>Ben Marshall (#10) - Travis Boyd (#22) - <span>Seth Ambroz</span> (#17)</p>
<p>Tom Serratore (#14) - A.J. Michaelson (#15) - Justin Holl (#12)</p>
<p><i>Defense</i></p>
<p>Jake Parenteau (#6) - Nate Schmidt (#29)</p>
<p>Mike Reilly (#5) - Mark Alt (#20)</p>
<p>Seth Helgeson (#4) - <span>Brady Skjei</span> (#2)</p>
<p><i>Goaltenders</i></p>
<p>Michael Shibrowski (#1)</p>
<p><b><span>Adam Wilcox</span> (#32)</b></p>
<p>Ryan Coyne</p>
<p><br><b>Minnesota State Mavericks</b><br><i>Forwards</i></p>
<p>Brett Knowles (#24) - Eli Zuck (#29) - Eriah Hayes (#25)</p>
<p>Chase Grant (#21) - Matt Leitner (#18) - Johnny McInnis (#22)</p>
<p>Dylan Margonari (#26) - Jean-Paul Lafontaine (#12) - Bryce Gervais (#9)</p>
<p>Max Gaede (#8) - Teddy Blueger (#23) - Zach Lehrke (#19)</p>
<p><i>Defense</i></p>
<p>Tyler Elbrecht (#16) - Josh Nelson (#2)</p>
<p>Zach Palmquist (#7) - Nick Buchanan (#4)</p>
<p>Brett Stern (#27) - Jon Jutzi (#28)</p>
<p><i>Goaltenders</i></p>
<p>Phil Cook (#30)</p>
<p>Stephon Williams (#35)</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/11/2/3592854/gophers-hockey-minnesota-vs-minnesota-state-friday-night-lineNathan Wells2012-11-02T07:29:33-05:002012-11-02T07:29:33-05:00No. 2 Minnesota hockey hosts Minnesota State
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers host Minnesota State on Friday and Saturday, and No. 18 St. Cloud State travels to take on No. 3 Denver while Minnesota-Duluth gets to rest. </p> <p>The 2012 NCAA men's hockey is in full swing this weekend, as the No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers host Minnesota State on Friday and Saturday, and No. 18 St. Cloud State travels to take on No. 3 Denver while Minnesota-Duluth gets to rest.</p>
<p><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/" target="_blank">Minnesota received three first-place votes</a> in the last USCHO.com poll, so a solid series combined with any type of slip-up for Boston College -- which plays Maine on Friday and Massachusetts on Sunday -- could mean a push to the top spot for the local powerhouse program.</p>
<p>St. Cloud State dominated Minnesota State last weekend, outscoring Minnesota State by a combined total of 10-2 in the series sweep, and they will need to stay sharp as No. 3 Denver is rested and ready for action.</p>
<p>Here is the schedule for this weekend:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Friday, Nov. 2, 2012</b></p>
<p>7:05 p.m. CT, Minnesota State at No. 2 Minnesota</p>
<p>7:35 p.m. CT, No. 18 St. Cloud State at No. 3 Denver</p>
<p><b>Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012</b></p>
<p><b></b></p>
<p>7:05 p.m. CT, Minnesota State at No. 2 Minnesota</p>
<p>7:05 p.m. CT, No. 18 St. Cloud State at No. 3 Denver</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>See the <a href="http://www.uscho.com/scoreboard/division-i-men/2012-2013/composite-schedule/" target="_blank">full schedule of college hockey action here</a>, and be sure to check out the complete <a href="http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/" target="_blank">USCHO.com poll</a>.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-hockey/2012/11/2/3589768/ncaa-hockey-schedule-2012Steve von Horn