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