Okposo To Sign With Islanders

Well I decided that I should make this another post since it had nothing to do with the North Dakota series but it's still news. I guess to most people it doesn't come to a shock. For me it's not that it is shokcing it's just his timing is extremely bad for two reasons. One, it's the middle of the season and two, he has two days left of his semster. It's the middle of the season if your going to go pro don't make it such a big deal and draw attention to you by doing it in the middle of the season. Obviously if you leave college to go pro your going to get attention but not only do you cast the spotlight on the U but also on all of your team mates... Yeah Kyle that's right the other 24 guys on your team. Did you ever think about them? Probley not because if you leave in the middle of the season chances are your thinking of yourself. TWO DAYS LEFT IN THE SEMESTER!!! Not only does that scream hey sorry I messed up in some of my classes and can't pass my last couple finals... but it also says that he doesn't like school. Two days left and he couldn't have waited until Friday to inform his coach, the media oh yeah and his teamates so that they could get through their finals too? It is so frustrating how in one day Kyle can go from being someone kids look up to to an arrogant jerk who abandons his team. Honestly he wasn't having a terrific season so I don't understand how the Islanders want him. Shame on them for taking a kid away from school. Honestly I didn't really care when Erik Johnson left because he was always going to be a one and done kind of guy and after the comments he made I lost all my respect for him but Kyle I care about. He could have waited three more months!!!!!! But no since some enforcer got suspended for 30 games Kyle will get a chance to play in the NHL when he comes back from the World Juniors. Now don't get me wrong I think Kyle is a great hockey player and he will have a great career as he continues on the the NHL I just think he could have waited. I wish Kyle all the best no matter how hard it is to see him go. Kyle is expected to sign with the Islanders in early January and I just hope Kyle knows how much he will be missed. Kyle had 11 points this season with the Gophers. He was a ninteenth overall pick by the Islanders in the 2006 NHL entry draft.

Good-Bye Kyle.. I wish you all the best and I hope you know I'll be cheering for you.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA:

University of Minnesota sophomore Kyle Okposo has chosen to forgo the remainder of the 2007-08 season and his career with the Golden Gophers to sign a contract with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League.

Okposo was the Islanders’ first-round draft choice and the seventh player taken overall in the 2006 entry draft. He is the eighth Minnesota player to leave college early for the professional ranks since the end of the 2005-06 season. Okposo is departing today for the Czech Republic as a member of the United States’ under-20 national team that is competing at the International Ice Hockey Federation world championships and will join the Islanders following the tournament.

“While I’m disappointed Kyle is leaving at this point of the season, his dream has been to play pro hockey,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. “It is unfortunate that the Islanders put him in a very difficult position. I think our team has made strides the last few weeks and I’m looking forward to the second half of the season.”

A St. Paul native who attended Shattuck St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minn., Okposo burst onto the collegiate scene last season with 19 goals and 21 assists in 40 games as a freshman. He earned second-team All-WCHA honors and was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team. Amid speculation that he would leave for the NHL after his freshman season, Okposo announced on June 6 that he would return to the Gophers.

Okposo had a slow start to the 2007-08 season with an eight-game scoreless streak after a three-point game in the season opener against Rensselaer. He scored points in six of the last nine games, totaling seven goals and four assists over the team’s first 18 games as Minnesota currently owns a 9-8-1 record.

Gophers Split With Sioux

Sorry... I guess i didn't really keep my word about covering the games but I have a life... actully it was more oout of laziness than anything else but I'm sure you all understand. Ther series with the Sioux was by far the best. The Gophers hustled for 60 minutes! I was so proud! although we feel apart on Firday and din't win i thought it was a great effort and the way the Gophers came back on Saturday was even better. I have to admit i was pretty nervous that last minute on sautrday. I wasn't sure the Gophers were going to make it with out going into OT but thanks to Alex Kangas the Gophers were able to hold on and take a split back to Minneapolis. The Gophers are now idle until Dec. 29 when they play RIT in the Dodge Holiday Classic. In other news 4 Gophers players were announced to go to the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, forwards Kyle Okposo, Mike Carmen Ryan Flynn and Defenseman Cade Fade Fairchild. Carmen is also eligible to play again after missing half of the season with academic issues. He will return to the Gopher line up on Jan. 11 with the rest of the Gophers when they take on St. Cloud State. Until the Dodge Holiday Classic.. Happy Holidays and GO GOPHERS!!

Firday VS. North Dakota

First Period Scoring:
NONE

First Period Penalties:
MINN Derek Peltier Interference
Kyle Okposo Hooking
Tony Lucia Unsportsmanlike Conduct
UND TEAM Too Many On Ice
Darcy Zajac Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Second Period Scoring:
NONE

Second Period Peanlties
MINN Brian Schack Interference
Jay Barriball Roughing
Stu bickel Roughing
UND Rylan Kaip Rouhging
MAtt Watkins Roughing
Joe Finley Roughing
Andrew Kozak Interference

Third Period Scoring
UND
Chay Genoway TJ Oshie
Rylan Kaip Chris VandeVelde/Robbie Bina
Matt Walkins Rylan Kaip/Taylor Chorney
Brad Malone Evan Trupp
MINN
Blake Wheeler Jay Barriball/Mike Howe
Ryan Flynn Kyle Okposo

Third Period Penalties
UND Rylan Kaip Charging
Brad Malone Roughing
Derrick LaPoint
Rylan Kaip Roughing
MINN Blake Wheeler Roughing
RJ Anderson Roughing

Saves
Jeff Frazee 26 Saves
JP Lamoureux 37 Saves

Three Stars
1. NONE
2. NONE
3. NONE

Saturday VS North Dakota

First Period Scoring
MINN
Mike Hoeffel Mike Howe/RJ Anderson
Blake Wheeler Derek Peltier/David Fischer
UND TJ Oshie Darcy Zajac

First Period Penalties
MINN Blake Wheeler Tripping

Second Period Scoring
MINN Mike Hoeffel Mike Howe/Stu Bickel
Ben Gordon Blake Wheeler/Stu Bickel

Second Period Penalties
MINN
Drew Fischer Roughing
Tom Pohl Roughing
Evan Kaufmann Slashing
Evan Kaufmann Roughing
Evan Kaufmann Roughing
Drew Fischer Roughing
UND
Derrick LaPoint Roughing
Darcy Zajac Roughing
Sorry... I guess i didn't really keep my word about covering the games but I have a life... actully it was more oout of laziness than anything else but I'm sure you all understand. Ther series with the Sioux was by far the best. The Gophers hustled for 60 minutes! I was so proud! although we feel apart on Firday and din't win i thought it was a great effort and the way the Gophers came back on Saturday was even better. I have to admit i was pretty nervous that last minute on sautrday. I wasn't sure the Gophers were going to make it with out going into OT but thanks to Alex Kangas the Gophers were able to hold on and take a split back to Minneapolis. The Gophers are now idle until Dec. 29 when they play RIT in the Dodge Holiday Classic. In other news 4 Gophers players were announced to go to the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, forwards Kyle Okposo, Mike Carmen Ryan Flynn and Defenseman Cade Fade Fairchild. Carmen is also eligible to play again after missing half of the season with academic issues. He will return to the Gopher line up on Jan. 11 with the rest of the Gophers when they take on St. Cloud State. Until the Dodge Holiday Classic.. Happy Holidays and GO GOPHERS!!

Firday VS. North Dakota

First Period Scoring:
NONE

First Period Penalties:
MINN Derek Peltier Interference
Kyle Okposo Hooking
Tony Lucia Unsportsmanlike Conduct
UND TEAM Too Many On Ice
Darcy Zajac Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Second Period Scoring:
NONE

Second Period Peanlties
MINN Brian Schack Interference
Jay Barriball Roughing
Stu bickel Roughing
UND Rylan Kaip Rouhging
MAtt Watkins Roughing
Joe Finley Roughing
Andrew Kozak Interference

Third Period Scoring
UND
Chay Genoway TJ Oshie
Rylan Kaip Chris VandeVelde/Robbie Bina
Matt Walkins Rylan Kaip/Taylor Chorney
Brad Malone Evan Trupp
MINN
Blake Wheeler Jay Barriball/Mike Howe
Ryan Flynn Kyle Okposo

Third Period Penalties
UND Rylan Kaip Charging
Brad Malone Roughing
Derrick LaPoint
Rylan Kaip Roughing
MINN Blake Wheeler Roughing
RJ Anderson Roughing

Saves
Jeff Frazee 26 Saves
JP Lamoureux 37 Saves

Three Stars
1. NONE
2. NONE
3. NONE

Saturday VS North Dakota

First Period Scoring
Sorry... I guess i didn't really keep my word about covering the games but I have a life... actully it was more oout of laziness than anything else but I'm sure you all understand. Ther series with the Sioux was by far the best. The Gophers hustled for 60 minutes! I was so proud! although we feel apart on Firday and din't win i thought it was a great effort and the way the Gophers came back on Saturday was even better. I have to admit i was pretty nervous that last minute on sautrday. I wasn't sure the Gophers were going to make it with out going into OT but thanks to Alex Kangas the Gophers were able to hold on and take a split back to Minneapolis. The Gophers are now idle until Dec. 29 when they play RIT in the Dodge Holiday Classic. In other news 4 Gophers players were announced to go to the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, forwards Kyle Okposo, Mike Carmen Ryan Flynn and Defenseman Cade Fade Fairchild. Carmen is also eligible to play again after missing half of the season with academic issues. He will return to the Gopher line up on Jan. 11 with the rest of the Gophers when they take on St. Cloud State. Until the Dodge Holiday Classic.. Happy Holidays and GO GOPHERS!!

Firday VS. North Dakota

First Period Scoring:
NONE

First Period Penalties:
MINN Derek Peltier Interference
Kyle Okposo Hooking
Tony Lucia Unsportsmanlike Conduct
UND TEAM Too Many On Ice
Darcy Zajac Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Second Period Scoring:
NONE

Second Period Peanlties
MINN Brian Schack Interference
Jay Barriball Roughing
Stu bickel Roughing
UND Rylan Kaip Rouhging
MAtt Watkins Roughing
Joe Finley Roughing
Andrew Kozak Interference

Third Period Scoring
UND
Chay Genoway TJ Oshie
Rylan Kaip Chris VandeVelde/Robbie Bina
Matt Walkins Rylan Kaip/Taylor Chorney
Brad Malone Evan Trupp
MINN
Blake Wheeler Jay Barriball/Mike Howe
Ryan Flynn Kyle Okposo

Third Period Penalties
UND Rylan Kaip Charging
Brad Malone Roughing
Derrick LaPoint
Rylan Kaip Roughing
MINN Blake Wheeler Roughing
RJ Anderson Roughing

Saves
Jeff Frazee 26 Saves
JP Lamoureux 37 Saves

Three Stars
1. NONE
2. NONE
3. NONE

Saturday VS North Dakota

First Period Scoring
Brad Malone Roughing
Brad Malone Roughing
Andrew Kozak Roughing
Andrew Kozak Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Third Period Scoring
UND
Ryan Duncan Taylor Chromey/Chris VandeVelde
Chris VadeVelde Robbie Bina/Taylor Chromey

Third Period Penalties
Ryan Flynn Holding

Saves
Alex Kangas 22 Saves
JP Lamourex 29 Saves

Three Stars
NONE!!!

Gophers Take on Michigan Colleges

Since I haven't been around the last couple weeks I don't think it's fair to judge the Gophers since i didn't see them play, that's why I haven't been writing if anyone has been wondering. Obviously we still haven't turned around but as I'm writing it's the first intermission of the North Dakota game and The Ralph is pretty much silent so I'm happy about that. So I'm just going to put the stats up on this post. I will cover the North Dakota games because this is a big series obviously. Let's hope our Gophers can pick it up. Turn the game on people.. because we're in North Dakota to win. GO GOPHERS!

Friday @ Michigan State *3-3*

First Period Scoring
Stu Bickel Mike Howe/Ben Gordon

First Period Penalties
MINN Stu Bickel Roughing (I'm assuming)
MICH Tim Kennedy Roughing

Second Period Scoring
MICH Andrew Rowe Jay Sprague/Jeff Dunne
MINN R.J. Anderson Ryan Flynn/Evan Kaufmann

Second Period Penalies
MINN Jay Barriball Tripping
Mike Hoeffel Hooking
Stu Bickel Hooking
Stu Bickel Roughing
Kyle Okposo Roughing
Cade Fairchild Roughing
MICH Tim Crowder Tripping
Nick Sucharski Roughing
Tim Crowder Roughing

Third Period Scoring
MICH Chris Mueller Jeff Petry/Dustin Gazely
Tim Kennedy -
MINN Mike Hoeffel Cade Fairchild/Kyle Okposo

Third Period Penalties
MICH Time Kennedy Slashing
Andrew Rowe Elbowing?
MINN Mike Howe Interference

Saves
Alex Kangas 27 saves
Jeff Lerg 19 saves

Three Stars
1. Alex Kangas
2. Tim Kennedy
3. Jeff Lerg

Saturday @ Michigan *5-1 Michigan*

First Period Scoring
MICH Chad Kolarik Kevin Porter/Steve Kampfer

First Period Penalties
MINN Mike Hoeffel Hooking
Blake Wheeler Tripping
Cade Fairchild Slashing
Jay Barriball ????
MICH Matt Rust Slashing

Second Period Scoring
Chad Kolarik Keving Porter/Aaron Pulushaj
Kevin Porter -
Kevin Porter Chad Kolarik/Chade Langlais
MINN Ben Gordon Cade Fairchils/Blake Wheeler

Second Period Penalties
MINN Derek Peltier Interference
Ryan Flynn Interference
MICH Chris Summers Hooking

Third Period Scoring
Ben Winnett Aaron Pulushaj/Stever Kampfer

Third Period Penalties
MICH Carl Hagelin ????
Carl Hagelin Interference
Matt Rust Interference
MINN Tom Pohl Cross-Checking
Ryan Flynn Boarding
Evan Kaufmann 10 Minute Misconduct

Saves
Jeff Frazee 18 Saves
Billy Sauer 26 Saves

Three Stars
1. Kevin Porter
2. Chad Kolarik
3. Ben Gordon

Friday VS Mich. Tech *3-2 Tech in OT*

First Period Scoring
MINN Blake Wheeler Jay Barriball/Ben Gordon
Ryan Flynn Tony Lucia/Derek Peltier

First Period Penalties
MINN Evan Kaufmann Tripping
Stu Bickel Interference
TECH Jimmy Kerr Holding
Geoff Kinrade Holding the Stick

Second Period Scoring
John Schmarz Peter Rouleau/Malcom Gwilliam

Second Period Penalties
MINN Cade Fairchild Interference
Mike Hoeffel Hooking
TECH Mark Malekoff Holding
Drew Dobson Tripping

Third Period Scoring
Deron Cousens -

Third Period Penalties
TECH Drew Dobson Holding
Jordan Baker Checking for Behind

OT
TECH Alex Gagne -

Penalties
MINN Ben Gordon Interference

Saves
Michael-Lee teslak 26 Saves
Alex Kangas 35 Saves

Three Stars
1. Alex Gagne
2. Michael-Lee Teslak
3. Deron Cousens

Saturday VS TECH *3-1 Gophers*

First Period Scoring
MINN Mike Howe Kyle Okposo/Kevin Wehrs
TECH Peter Rouleau Tyler Shelast

First Period Penalties
MINN Ben Gordon Holding
Evan Kaufmann Cross-Checking
Blake Wheeler Boarding
TECH Jimmy Kerr Tipping
Malcom Gwilliam Checking From Behing (Game Misconduct)

Second Period Scoring
MINN Mike Howe Stu Bickel/Ben Gordon

Second Period Penalties
MINN Stu Bickel High Sticking
Ryan Flynn Slashing

Saves
Michael-Lee Teslak 34 Saves
Jeff Frazee 18 Saves

Three Stars
1. Mike Howe
2. Kyle Okposo
3. Jeff Frazee
Third Period Scoring
MINN Kyle Okposo Ryan Flynn/Cade Fairchild

Third Period Penalties
TECH Drew Dobson Tripping

Gophers Start Hot, Cool Down

The Golden Gophers Men's hockey team has all the momentum they could ask for going into this series at Mariucci after sweeping the Mavericks last weekend. Although the Gophers started out hot they realized winning one game isn't enough to grant them the series. The Gophers beat on the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves on Friday night at Mariucci getting three goals and Shuting out the Seawolves in a 60 minute battle. The Gophers came into the weekend ranked number 12 in the Nation after sweeping the MSU Mavericks last weekend in a home and home series. Although Friday night was the first full 60 minutes the Gophers have played in a long time that would soon change just 24 hours later when the Gophers took on the Seawolves again on saturday night. Now maybe it's just me but i think the Gophers got cocky. They won a game shutting them out but if we learned ANYTHING from last years play-offs it had to be that the Seawolves would come out flying and a lose wasn't acceptable. Obviously the Gophers still haven't learned that they need to play both games in the series in order to sweep. Not one, not one and a half but two full 60 minutes, three period, game of hockey. With all the condiments of being physical, playing hard, crashing the net, oh and most importantly GETTING OPEN NET GOALS! Open Net goals are the easiest goals in the game of hockey. In fact there is one quote that says "Open net goals are for pussies." The Gophers didn't respect Alaska on Saturday night they didn't take it to them at all. Losing 4-2 in your own building against the worst team in the WCHA is unacceptable and quite honestly im disappointed. One good note is that David Fischer scored his first goal in a Gopher Uniform and oh was it about time. I was extremely happy for him. He has gotten so much better just from the first game of this season. He will definitly be someone the Gophers are going to count on to keep getting better. The Gophers take on the defending National Champions the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines in Michigan this Holiday weekend. Look for two great games and hopefully a better turnout. Until next weekend Happy Thanksgiving and Go Gophers!

Friday Night VS UAA *3-0* Gophers
First Period Scoring
David Fischer Blake Wheeler/Ben Gordon

First Period Penalties
UAA Craig Parkinson Cross-Checking
Shane Lovdahl Holding
MINN Jay Barriball Interference

Second Period Scoring
NONE

Second Period Penalties
UAA Peter Cartwright Holding
Paul Crowder Interference
MINN Blake Wheeler Hooking
Kevin Wehrs Holding
Stu Bickel Slashing

Third Period Scoring
MINN Kyle Okposo Jay Barriball/Mike Hoeffel
Blake Wheeler Ben Gordon/Patrick White

Third Period Penalties
MINN Cade Fairchild Roughing

Saves
Jeff Frazee 24 saves
Jon Olthuis 34 saves

Three Stars
1. Jeff Frazee
2. David Fischer
3. Blake Wheeler

Funny Quote from David Fischer's post-game interview:
"Gordon, he's a beast. To Wheeler. To the Monster. Took about 5 seconds to get there.................. Top Titty!"

Saturday VS UAA *4-2* UAA
First Period Scoring
MINN Jay Barriball Mike Hoeffel/Cade Fairchild
Kane Lafranchise Peter CArtwright

First Period Penalties
UAA Chris Tarkis Holding the Stick
Blair Tassone Interference
Josh Lunden Slashing
MINN Stu Bickel Holding

Second Period Scoring
MINN Kyle Okposo Cade Farichild/David Fischer

Second Period Penalties
UAA Luke Beaverson Holding
Luke Vidmar Checking from Behing
Luke Vidmar Game Misconduct
Kevin Clark Tripping

Third Period Scoring
UAA Peter Cartwright Chris Tarkir/Blair Tassone
Kevin Clark Josh Lunden
Brad McCabe Kane Lafranchise/Winston DayChief

Thir Period Penalties:
MINN Cade Fairchild High Sticking
Saves
Jon Olthuis 30 Saves
Jeff Frazee 21 Saves

Three Stars
1. Peter Cartwright
2. Kane Lafranchise
3. Cade Fairchild

Gophers Get Going, Sweep Mavricks

What a great effort both nights be the Gophers this weekend. It was fantastic to see the team effort there and not just the individual effort. It was also great to see Kyle Okposo score not once but twice. The Gophers just went up from there. So many players had two points a night, Blake Wheeler, Tony Lucia, Cade Fairchild had three points saturday night. For a freshman, actully for anyone, to get three points in a night is fantastic. I think the Gophers definitly have hit their stride or at least turned it around. Good timing with North Dakota splitting with Wisconsin. And before we play both of those teams. Although the Gophers are still ranked No. 14 i still think we will have a great finish this year. A National Championship would be stretching it but i defenitly think we can do great in the play-offs this year. Mike Howe is reportedly okay after suffering what seemed to be a head injury on saturday night. I guess his head hit the boards and then the ice and was carried off the ice on a stretcher, but not before giving the applauding crowd a thumbs up. The Gophers take on Alaska-Anchorage this weekend. The Gophers should at least get a couple points out of the weekend. Although we should the gophers need to come out just like they did this weekend, Hard, Physical, and ready to get the job done.

Friday Night @ Mankato *4-3* Gophers

First Period Scoring
MINN Ben Gordon Blake Wheeler/Jay Barriball

First Period Penalties
MSU R.J. Linder Roughing

Second Period Scoring
MINN Tony Lucia Blake Wheeler/Stu Bickle
Patrick White David Fischer/Tom Pohl
Evan Kaufmann Tony Lucia/David Fischer
MSU Jon Kalinski Trevor Bruess/ Mick Berge

Second Period Penalties
MINN Stu Bickle Tripping
MSU Nick Canzanello Roughing

Third Period Scoring
MSU Mick Berge Kael Mouillierat/Kurt Davis
Andrew Sackrison Zach Harrison/Nick Canzanello

Third Period Penalties
MINN Tom Pohl Hooking
Blake Wheeler Roughing
Stu Bickle Roughing
Blake Wheeler Checking (for behind i'm assuming)
MSU Geoff Irwin Roughing
Kael Mouillierat Roughing
Jon Kalinski Elbowing

SAVES
Jeff Frazee 19 Saves
Mike Zacharias 20 Saves

Three Stars
1. Bkae Wheeler
2. Mike Berge
3. Jon Kalinski

Saturday Night @ Mariucci *5-3* Gophers

First Period Scoring
MINN Ben Gordon Jay Barriball/Cade Fairchild
MSU Jon Kalinski -
Mick Berge Kael Mouillierat

First Period Penalties
MINN Justin Bostrom Checking From Behind (Game Misconduct)
R.J. Anderson Hooking
MSU Jerad Stewart Kneeing (Game Miscounduct)
Kurt Davis Hooking

Second Period Scoring
MINN Kyle Okposo Cade Fairchild
Kyle Okposo Jay Barriball/Tom Pohl
Tony Lucia Evan Kaufmann/Ryan Flynn
Cade Fairchild Ben Gordon/Patrick White

Second Period Penalties
MINN Derek Peltier Bording
MSU R.J. Linder Hooking
Kael Mouillierat Slashing

Third Period Scoring
MSU Mick Berge -

Third Period Penalties
MSU Jon Kalinski Interference
TEAM Too Many Men

Saves
Alex Kangas 21 saves
Dan Tormey 28 saves

Three Stars
1. Kyle Okposo
2. Cade Fairchild
3. Ben Gordon

Gophers fall to Denver

Hmmm... I'm just trying to think of a good excuse of why the Gophers sucked this weekend. I could blame it on Don Lucia but that's not right he has nothing to do with what his kids do on the ice. Well he does but he can't make a good pass for them. He can show them but he can't physically do it for them. Maybe we need to find a way for him to do it because our passing is HORRIBLE! Denver hasn't swept us for what... 13 years. That's bad. Mike Carmen can you please get your grades up so you can come back!? Yeah right. But he's playing in Denver this weekend so let's see how that goes. Anyways I'm getting off topic. Alright I didn't have a chance to see any of the game on Friday but we lost 5-1 and that's all I need to know that something was off. From reading GPL, which I am addicted to, I hear Kyle Okposo isn't doing anything. Obviously Jeff Frazee is nothing but an object standing in the middle of the net. Actully I have no clue if that's true I'm just making asumptions. Well we are also off to our worst start in school history. Wow peaceful... I have so much faith in the Gophers now... I really shouldn't say that because eventully, yes I know it's hard to wait, we will hit our stride. Hopefully it comes before we face Wisconsin and North Dakota so we can beat them and shut those obnoxious fans up. Actully no the most obnoxious fans are St.Cloud fans. Don't believe me? Take for instance last season when the Gophers made their first trip up to St.Cloud... the fans threw batteries yes BATTERIES on the Ice at the Gophers. That's worse than the dead Gophers and such... That could actully hurt someone. Honestly no class at ALL! But hopefully the St.Cloud fans will shut up because they lost to UAA this weekend... man and they have lash... Darn... Anyways I saw the third period sunday and it was a train wreck. I couldn't watch it anymore. I mean for god sake we have no power play what so ever! Nothing NADA!!!!!! We give Denver the easiest goal to stop a short handed goal and you can't blame it on Kangas. The Gophers just don't play hockey in their own zone! Not only that but they can't play 60 minutes of hockey and it's disapointing. We play a home and home series with Mankato this weekend. Hopefully the Gophers can hit their stride now and actully score more than 1 goal a game. Until then... GO GOPHERS!!!

Friday Night VS Denver
First Period Scoring:
DU: Rhett Rakhshani Patrick Mullen/Jesse Martin

First Period Penalties
DU Matt Glasser umm not sure it says Fm...
Cody Brookwell Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Kyle Ostrow Hooking
MINN Ryan Flynn Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Stu Bickel Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Mike Hoeffel Hooking

Second Period Scoring
DU Tyler Ruegsegger Brock Trotter/Tyler Bozak
Tyler Ruegsegegger Anthony Maiani/ Rhett Rakhshani

Second Period Penalties
DU Chris Butler Interference
Patrick Mullen Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Matt Glasser Charging
MINN Cade Fairchild Tripping
Evan Kaufmann Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Tom Pohl Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Tony Lucia Hooking
Kyle Okposo Hooking
TEAM Too Many on Ice

Thir Period Scoring
DU Brock Trotter Rhett Rakhshani/Anthony Maiani
Tyler Bozack Brock Trotter/ Patrick Mullen
MINN Ryna Flynn Ben Gordon/ Derek Peltier

Third Period Penalties
DU J.P. Testwuide Slashing
J.P. Teshwuide Roughing
Jesse Martin Roughing
Jesse Martin Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Jesse Martin Game Misconduct
Brock Trotter Roughing
Tyler Bozak Roughing
MINN Mike Hoeffel Cross-Checking
Blake Wheeler Roughing
Stu Bickel Roughing
Stu Bickel Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Stu Bickel Game Misconduct
Kevin Wehrs Roughing
R.J. Anderson Roughing
Justin Bostrom Roughing

Saves
Jeff Frazee 23 Saves
Peter Mannino 36 saves

Three stars
1.Rhett Rakhshani
2.Tyler Bozak
3. Peter Mannino

Think maybe part of our problem was we were in the box the whole night!?

Sunday VS Denver
First Period Scoring
MINN Blake Wheeler Evan Kaufmann/Tony Lucia
DU Tyler Bozak Brock Trotter
Rhett Rakhshani Brock Trotter

First Period Penalties
DU J.P. Testwuide Hooking
Andrew Thomas Tripping
John Ryder Roughing
Rhett Rakhshani Hooking
MINN Evan Kaufmann Roughing
Tony Lucia Tripping
Ben Gordon Holding the stick... haha

Second Period Scoring
NONE

Second Period Penalties
DU Brock Trotter Roughing
Anthony Maiani Roughing
Dustin Jackson Roughing
Andrew Thomas Cross-Checking
MINN Stu Bickel Elbowing
R.J. Anderson Roughing
Derek Peltier Roughing
Blake Wheeler Hooking
Tony Lucia Ostruction... that's it... probley holding/hooking

Third Period Scoring
Tyler Bozak -
Tyler Bozak -

Thir Period Penalties
Tom May Checking from behind
Tom May Game Misconduct
Brian Gifford Hooking

Saves
Alex Kangas 19 saves
Peter Mannino 32 saves

Three stars
1. Tyker Bozak
2. Peter Mannino
3. Brock Trotter

Gophers Open at Mariucci

Sooo this weekend was pretty good. Passing still sucked but that will come (hopefully) It was great to finally see Alex Kangas in net and Brent Solei for the first time this season. Alex Kangas played a hell of a game. He was outstanding. By far the best goalie we have. Jeff's good but lets be honest... some of those would have gone in. I'm not sure if anyone else is wondering about this but can the Gophers ever play three periods of hockey? I mean honestly. If they wouldn't have had early goals then they would have lost to OSU both nights. It was horrible. You play hockey for 60 minutes not 40. alright lets break it down by game. First game First period what the heck was up with all the whistles. How do you get anything going with 5 wistles per minute. It was lame and boring to watch. second period we got better. I honestly don't remember anything about the game but we won and thats all that matters. Friday night second game. Alex Kangas absolutly phenominal. I was so happy to see that he could preform like that. The Gophers broke down in the third period and he kept us in the game. Great game Alex. Saturday night I had a chance to be at the game and obviously we weren't physical but a lot of those ND kids were small. Didn't look anything like hockey players. More like Soccer players. I was walking about Mariucci during the 2nd and 3rd period intermission and I saw Ryan Stoa and Mike Carmen on the way up to the Suites. Couldn't tell if Stoa was on crutches (a girl was in the way) but i'm sure he was. I can't wait for Carmen to come back. We miss his intensity. Anyways back to the game. The Gophers toward over them and dominated play but just couldn't seem to get anything going on the power play. It has nothing to do with shots on net. We were getting plenty of them they just weren't going in. The goalie was good yes but he wasn't THAT good. Next weekend the Gophers open WCHa play at Mariucci against the Denver Pioneers. We will see how that goes. Until then Go Gophers.

Thursday Ohio State VS Minnesota *3-1 Minnesota*
First Period Scoring:
MINN: Ben Gordon Blake Wheeler/ Stu Bickel
Justin Bostrom -

First Period Penalties:
NONE

Second Period Scoring
MINN: Mike Howe David Fischer/ Derek Peltier

Second Period Penalties
OSU: Johann Kroll Tipping
MINN: Justin Bostrom Cross-Checking

Third Period Scoring:
OSU: Peter Boyd Kyle Reed

Third Period Penalties:
MINN: Blake Wheeler Hooking
Jay Barriball Hooking
OSU Tom Fritsche Tripping

Jeff Frazee 21 saves
Joesph Palmer 30 saves

Three Stars
1. Justin Bostrom
2.Blake Wheeler
3. Jeff Frazee

Friday OSU VS Minnesota *2-1 Minnesota*
First Period Scoring:
MINN Justin Bostrom Mike Howe

First Period Penalties:
MINN: Ryan Flynn Roughing
OSU: Tom Fritsche Interference

Second Period Scoring:
MINN Jay Barriball -

Second Period Penalties:
MINN Stu Bickel Boarding
David Fischer Contact to the Head (WTF)
OSU: Erick Belanger Holdind
Patrick Schafer Slashing

Third Period Scoring:
OSU Kyle Hood Tommy Goebel

Third Period Penalties:
MINN: R.J. Anderson Roughing
Kevin Wehrs Roughing
Mike Howe Slashing
OSU Peter Boyd Roughing
Sergio Somma Roughing

Alex Kangas 32 saves
Joesph Palmer 18 saves

Three Stars
1. Alex Kangas
2. Jay Barriball
3. Justin Bostrom

Saturday USND *3-1 Minnesota* (Exhibition)
First Period Scoring
MINN Jay Barriball Blake Wheeler
Cade Fairchild Blake Wheeler/ David Fischer

First Period Penalties
MINN Too Man on Ice (Patirck White)
USND Grant Scott Boarding

Second Period Scoring
Patrick White Kevin Wehrs/Stu bickel

Second Period Penalties
USND:Sam Lofquist 5 min major Kneeing
Colin Reddin Cross-Checking
Ryan Grimshaw Tripping
MINN Kevin Wehrs Hooking

Third Period Scoring
Sam Lofquist Ryan Hegarty/Danny Kristo

Third Period Penalties:
USND: Vinny Saponati Roughing
MINN:Ryan Flynn Tipping
Tony Lucia Rouging

Joe Cannata 31 Saves
Brent Solei 16 saves

Gophers VS Colorado College

Ah what a great weekend for hockey... If only the Gophers could have won that would have been way better. Firday night was horrible as far as passing, playing as a team, and everything else. But honestly I can't be mad and complain about it. After all it is only the 3rd and 4th game of the season and the Gophs are still building chemistry. i'd rather have them have a choppy start than have a 20-1 start like they did last year. Every year that we have had a terrific run like that we always burned out when it was important. Although it would be great to be 20-0 we need to have momentum going into the play-offs. Back to CC. Like I said Friday night was horrible. I was extremly dissapointed with the way we played. There weere multiple penalties in the second period and we spent more than half of the period in the penalty box. Not a good thing boys. I will say one thing iw as not impressed with Andersons calls. I'm not just saying that because it didn't go in the Gophers favor im saying it because it was true. Not only did he screw us he screwed CC too. Also the linesmen missed countless off-sides on both teams. off-sides is one of the easiest calls in hockey and if you miss that then i suggest you take a 2-week vacation and retire in the words of Herb Brooks. Saturday night the Gophers stepped it up attacking CC from the drop of the puck. Their passing was a little sketchy but it got better as the game went on. They did pass a lot which i liked. I dont care what the reporters on FSN say i like when the gophers pass. Although we lost last night that was by far the best game we have played all season. We actully played 2 periods of a game!!!! They players who stood out the most to me this weekend were Tony Lucia and Jeff Frazee. Jeff Frazee saved the Gophers a lot. He made som huge saves like last night when the gophers were on a power play and CC came down like a breakaway and a 2 on 0. Very impressed with his play. Also Tony Lucia was being his usual self by hustling all over the ice. He made some really great passes and tried to make things happen. I really likes when Coach Lucia moved him up to left wing on Okposo and Barriball's line. They mesh well together. David Fischer played A LOT better this weekend then last weekend. he got burned so many times in the Michigan game. It was unbelievable. CAde Fairchild stepped it up i was impressed with him as well. Some news out of St.Louis is former Gopher defenseman Erik Johnson has a hairline fracture on his right foot. Sad news for him. Overall the weekend was an okay weekend. I will expect better on thursday, friday, and saturday when the Gophers take on Ohio State and the U.S U18 National Development Team.

FRIDAY NIGHT:
First Period Scoring:
CC: Bill Sweatt Andreas Vlassopoulos/ Jack Hillen
MINN: Cade Fairchild Blake Wheeler/ Ben Gordon

First Period Penalties:
MINN: Derek Peltier Interference
Ben Gordon Hooking
Stu Bickel Obstruction-Holding
CC: Brian Connelly Obstruction-Holding

Second Period Scoring:
CC: Eric Walsky Scott Thauwald

Second Period Penalties:
MINN: Ben Gordon Roughing
Kevin Wehrs Roughing
Kevin Wehrs High Sticking
CC: Brett Wysopal Roughing
Andreas Vlassopoulos Holding
Tyler Johnson Roughing

Third Period Scoring
CC: Derek Patrosso Andreas Vlassopoulos/ Bill Sweatt

Third Period Penalites:
CC: Addison DeBoer Interference
Scott McCulloch Interference
MINN Cade Fairchild Tripping

Saves
Jeff Frazee Minnesota: 21
Richard Bachman CC: 23

Three Stars
CC:
1. Richard Bachman
2. Bill Sweatt
3. Jake Gannon

SATURDAY NIGHT:
First Period Scoring:
NONE

First Period Penalties:
CC: Derek Patrosso Tripping
Scoot Thauwald Interference
MINN: Brian Schack Holding
Blake Wheeler Slashing

Second Period Scoring:
MINN: Blake Wheeler Ben Gordon/ Ryan Flynn
CC: Chad Rau Scott McCulloch

Second Period Penatlies:
CC: Brett Wysopal Tripping
Scott McCulloch Holding
Jack Hillen Cross-Checking
Chad Rau Tripping
MINN: Brian Schack Holding
Brian Schack High Sticking (LAME!!!)

Third Period Scoring:
NONE

Thir Period Penalties:
MINN: Jay Barriball Slashing
Stu Bickel Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Ryan Flynn Roughing
CC: Mike Testwuide Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Jack Hillen Tripping
Nate Prosser Roughing
Kris Fredheim Interference

Saves
Jeff Frazee: 25
Richard Bachman: 38

three Stars
CC
1.Chad Rau
2.Richard Bachman
3.Jack Hillen

Gophers open season 2-0

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers opened their 2007-08 season last weekend in the IceBreaker Invitational at the Xcel Energy Center against RPI. The Gophers got a quick wake-up call falling behind in the first period 1-0 and then in the 2nd period 3-0. The 1st and 2nd periods are probably the ones the Gophers would like to forget about but ing the 3rd period the Gophers came and rallied to win 4-3 with Kyle Okposo scoring with a minute left in the game. Jeff Frazee led the Gophers to victory with 25 saves. The Gophers looked sluggish all game with just bearly breezing past RPI. The Gophers knew they would have to play better against Michigan the following night. The Gophers came out in the 1st period and put up goals by R.J. Anderson, his first as a Gopher, and Blake Wheeler, his second of the season. Michigan refused to give up coming back and scoring once in the 2nd and twice in the 3rd. The Gophers held on with a stop by Jeff Frazee late in the game. Allong with that stop Frazee stopped 44 shots. I would like to say that the Gophers played better on Saturday against Michigan but they really didn’t. They looked great in the 1st period but something fell out of place with the Gophers looking sluggish the rest of the game. The Gophers took a blow when Ryan Stoa left the game with a knee injury. The Gophers found out on Monday that Stoa would not be back this season as hes having surgery on his knee. Stoa is expected to return next year for his senior year.


RPI VS #6 Minnesota

First Period Scoring:
RPI: Matt Angers-Goulet Tyler Helfrich/ Andrei Uryadov

First Period Penalties:
RPI: Dan Peace- Slashing
Andrei Uryadov- Tripping
Bryan Brutlag- Cross-Checking
Andrei Uryadov- Charging

Minnesota: Ryan Stoa- Interference
R.J. Anderson- Interference

Second Period Scoring:
RPI: Chase Polacek Bryan Brutlag/ Andrew Lord
Andrew Lord -
Minnesota: Ryan Stoa Kyle Okposo/ Jay Barriball

Second Period Penalties:
RPI: Peter Merth- Tripping
MINN: Jay Barriball- Hooking
Mike Hoeffel- Interferenece

Third Period:
Minnesota: Blake Wheeler Derek Peltier
Evan Kaufmann Kyle Okposo/ Derek Peltier
Kyle Okposo Jay Barriball/ Ryan Stoa


Third Period Penalties

RPI: Erik Burgdoerfer- Hooking

Andrew Lord- Hooking

Andrei Uryadov- Too Many Men
Matt Anders-Goulet- High Sticking
Andrew Lord- Checking from Behind
Andrew Lord- 10 Game Miscounduct

Goalie Saves
Jeff Frazee Minnesota: 25
Mathias Lange RPI: 24

Three Stars
1. Kyle Okposo
2. Jay Barriball
3. Derek Peltier

#6 MINNESOTA VS MICHIGAN
First Period Scoring:
MINN: R.J. Anderson Cade Fairchild/ Jay Barriball
Blake Wheeler Mike Hoeffel/ Ryan Flynn

First Period Penalties:
MICH: Chad Langlais- Tripping
Mark Mitera-Interference

Second Period Scoring
MICH: Matt Rust Tim Miller/ Ben Winnett

Second Period Penalties:
MINN: Justin Bostrom- Interference
Justin Bostrom- Obstruction Hooking
Stu Bickel- Holding
MICH: Chris Summers- Holding

Third Period Scoring:
MINN: Ryna Flynn -
Patrick White Tony Lucia/ Justin Bostrom
MICH: Steve Kampfer Kevin Porter
Matt Rust Tim Miller

Third Period Penalties:
MINN: Tony Lucia- Holding
MICH: Matt Rust- Holding

Goalie Saves:
Jeff Frazee Minnesota: 44
Billy Sauer: 18
WE WERE REALLY REALLY OUTSHOT SATURDAY NIGHT!

Three Stars
1. Jeff Frazee
2. Patrick White
3. Matt Rust (Michigan)

Over all we need to play better against C.C. this weekend… until then… GO GOPHERS!