OVER THE WEEKEND INJURY REPORT
STAJAN WILL MISS A WEEK AFTER FREAK MISHAP
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without forward Matt Stajan for at least a week after he was struck in the right eye with a soccer ball during a pre-practice warmup on Saturday.
Stajan suffered a hyphema, caused by a pooling of blood, in his right eye when he was hit while some members of the team were using the ball in the hallway -- something they regularly do. One report said Stajan was simply watching and not participating.
General Manger Brian Burke said the injury is not serious and expected the Toronto centre to be out for seven days or so while fluid drains from the eye, and added the exercise won't change.
"I'm not going to eliminate soccer (warmups) because one guy gets a ball in the eye", Burke said.
SABRES PLACE GAUSTAD ON IR
The Buffalo Sabres placed centre Paul Gaustad on injured reserve over the weekend because of an upper-body injury and recalled left wing Tim Kennedy from Maine of the AHL.
Gaustad, placed on IR retroactive to Dec. 17, has missed four games since he was injured against New Jersey, and also missed the first nine games of the season due to a thumb injury that required surgery.
Gaustad has three goals and seven points in 22 games this season.
Kennedy leads AHL rookies with 22 assists, and also has seven goals in 29 games for Portland, Buffalo acquired Kennedy in a draft-day trade with Washington after he was selected 181st overall by the Capitals in 2005.
HIP SURGERY TO END KARIYA'S SEASON
St. Louis Blues winger Paul Kariya will have surgery on his left hip and likely will miss the rest of the season.
The 34-year-old hasn't played since Nov. 5 in Anaheim, when his body was wrenched by a hit from behind and he tore muscle fibres near the top of his thigh. He had apparently recovered form the initial injury and skated with the team during Christmas week but cut his workout short on Friday after only about 10 minutes.
An MRI revealed additional damage inside the hip and Kariya and the Blues elected for surgery over the weekend after consultation with several doctors.
Team President John Davidson said there was no timetable for Kariya's return, and surgery had not yet been scheduled.
In the second season of a three-year, $18-million deal, Kariya has two goals and 13 assists in 11 games. In 914 regular-season games with Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville, and St. Louis he has scored 384 goals and registered 562 assists.
The St. Louis Blues, last in the Western Conference with a 13-18-3 record, have been bitten by the injury bug quite bad this season starting with number-one overall pick Erik Johnson who had a season-ending knee injury in a pre-training camp golf outing accident. The Blues also have had forward Andy McDonald (broken ankle), defenceman Eric Brewer (back surgery) and goalie Manny Legace (hip, concussion) suffer extended absences due to injuries.
CANUCKS PYATT OUT WITH BROKEN FOOT
The Vancouver Canucks will be without Taylor Pyatt for an indefinite period of time after the winger suffered a broken right foot against the Edmonton Oilers.
The injury looked to happen late in the second period when Pyatt's right skate caught a Willie Mitchell slap shot from the front of the Canucks net.
Pyatt has four goals and six assists with a minus-six rating in 36 games played this season.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
November 21st Part II
Gophers Beat Mavericks 2-1
Marc Christopher, Sophomore Writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Number-two ranked University of Minnesota Golden Gophers hosted the Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks in the first game of a weekend series Friday night at Ridder Arena.
The Gophers are coming off a sweep at Bemidji State last weekend shutting out the Beavers 3-0 Friday and 7-0 Saturday. All three Minnesota goaltenders took part in the shutouts as Alyssa Grogan made 20 saves in Friday's game improving to 4-0-1 on the season, and Jenny Lura started the game Saturday playing the first 25 minutes making seven saves and Kim Hanlon played the rest of the way making 20 saves in the combined shutout, while 11 Gophers registered a point in that Saturday game led by Kelli Blankenship's and Monique Lamourex's four points.
Minnesota State, on the other hand, was swept by St. Cloud State last weekend losing Friday 3-2 in overtime and 4-3 on Saturday. Mavericks junior forward Christina Lee scored four goals over the weekend, two in each game, including two power play tallies for her third and fourth multi-point games of the season.
Dating back to 1998, the Gophers hold an all-time record of 37-3-2 against the Mavericks, including back-to-back shutouts at Ridder Arena last season. The last time MSU beat the Gophers was during the 2006-07 season in which the Mavericks swept them 3-2 and 4-3 at All Seasons Arena in Mankato.
"For whatever reason we started the game very suggishly in the first period, and we certainly picked it up in the second and third with some good energy" said Gophers head coach Brad Frost, as Minnesota only got off seven shots on goal in the first and committed three penalties, but got it going in the second scoring the games first goal at 13:25. Junior Brittany Francis got a one-time pass from Senior Melanie Gagnon just to the left of the net to score her third goal of the season on the power play and give the Gophers a 1-0 lead.
Minnesota Freshman Monique Lamourex was able to weave her way through the Mavericks defense out of her end going coast-to-coast right to Minnesota State goalie Alli Altmann and lifting a backhanded shot past her to give the Gophers a 2-0 at 10:43 of the Third period.
The Mavericks were able to cut the deficit in half when on the power play Junior Christina Lee fired a slapper from just in few feet inside the blue line that found it's way to the back of the net at 15:47. That goal by Lee was the third power play goal she's scored in the last three games, and now leads the team with nine on the season, but it wasn't enough as the Gophers defeated the Mavericks 2-1.
With the win Minnesota improves to 9-1-1 in the WCHA and 10-2-1 overall, while the Mavericks are now 6-6-1 overall and drop to 3-5-1 in league play.
Both teams go at it again tomorrow, with the faceoff at 4pm.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
3--MSU--Alli Altmann
2--MN--Brittany Francis
1--MN--Melanie Gagnon
GAME STATS:
University of Minnesota Team Summary
Player G--A--PIM--Sh--(+/-)
Kelly Seeler 0--0--2--1--(+1) .
Melanie Gagnon 0--2--2--2--(+1)
Sarah Erickson 0--0--0--0--(0)
Laura May 0--0--0--3--(0)
Rachael Drazan 0--0--0--1--(0)
Kelli Blankenship 0--0--0--1--(0)
Jaimie Horton 0--0--0--2--(0)
Brittany Francis 1--0--0--4--(0)
Jocelyne Lamoureux 0--1--2--4--(+1)
Chelsey Jones 0--0--2--0--(0)
Emily West 0--0--2--2--(0)
Gigi Marvin 0--0--0--2--(0)
Monique Lamoureu x 1--0--0--8--(+1)
Anne Schleper 0--0--2--1--(0)
Dagney Willey 0--0--2--1--(0)
Jen Schoullis 0--0--0--1--(0)
Terra Rasmussen 0--0--0--0--(0)
Michelle Maunu 0--0--0--1--(0)
Alyssa Grogan 0--0--2--0--(0)
Totals 2--3--16--34--(+4)
Goalie Stats
Minnesota State
Alli Altmann 58:43 Min 2-GA 32-Sv
Empty Net 01:17 Min
Minnesota
Alyssa Grogan 60:00 Min 1-GA 14-Sv
Goals
MSU 0-0-1 1
MN 0-1-1 2
Prd--Time-Team--Scored by (Assists)
2nd--13:25--MN--PP Brittany Francis (Melanie Gagnon, Jocelyne Lamoureux)
3rd--10:43--MN--SH Monique Lamoreux (Melanie Gagnon)
3rd--15:47--MSU--PP Christina Lee (Holly Snyder, Lisa Edman)
Shots on Goal
MSU 7-4-4 15
MN 7-17-10 34
Penalties--Minutes
MSU 6--12
MN 8--16
Power Plays
MSU 1-8, 5 SOG
MN 1-5, 7 SOG
Faceoffs Won
MSU 39
MN 30
Gopher Women Sign Four
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
University of Minnesota Women's hockey head coach Brad Frost announced that Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove, Ill), Becky Kortum (Minnetonka, Mn), Mira Jalosuo (Lieksa, Finland) and Noora Raty (Espoo, Finland) have all commited to the U and will join the team in the fall of 2009-10.
Bozek, a 5-9 defenceman, enters the Gopher program with a high level of experience on the USA Hockey scene. In 2007 and 2008, she was a two-time member of the U.S. Under-18 team when she competed against Canada in a three-game series.
Kortum, a 5-7 forward, is in her senior season with Hopkins High School under head coach Vin Paolucci. As a junior, Kortum led the Hopkins Royals to a Classic Lake Conference title when she scored a team and league-high 37 goals and 59 points.
Jalusuo, is a standout 6-0 defenceman from Finland who was a member of the Finnish National Team that competed two weeks ago at the Four Nations Cup. She is also a two-year member Finland National Team in 2007 and 2008.
Raty, a 5-4 goaltender, has been Finland's top goalie since she started with the national team. The starting goalie for the Finnish Olympic Team, Raty was 15 at the time of the 2006 Olympics, and last year she helped Finland to a bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships.
Marc Christopher, Sophomore Writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Number-two ranked University of Minnesota Golden Gophers hosted the Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks in the first game of a weekend series Friday night at Ridder Arena.
The Gophers are coming off a sweep at Bemidji State last weekend shutting out the Beavers 3-0 Friday and 7-0 Saturday. All three Minnesota goaltenders took part in the shutouts as Alyssa Grogan made 20 saves in Friday's game improving to 4-0-1 on the season, and Jenny Lura started the game Saturday playing the first 25 minutes making seven saves and Kim Hanlon played the rest of the way making 20 saves in the combined shutout, while 11 Gophers registered a point in that Saturday game led by Kelli Blankenship's and Monique Lamourex's four points.
Minnesota State, on the other hand, was swept by St. Cloud State last weekend losing Friday 3-2 in overtime and 4-3 on Saturday. Mavericks junior forward Christina Lee scored four goals over the weekend, two in each game, including two power play tallies for her third and fourth multi-point games of the season.
Dating back to 1998, the Gophers hold an all-time record of 37-3-2 against the Mavericks, including back-to-back shutouts at Ridder Arena last season. The last time MSU beat the Gophers was during the 2006-07 season in which the Mavericks swept them 3-2 and 4-3 at All Seasons Arena in Mankato.
"For whatever reason we started the game very suggishly in the first period, and we certainly picked it up in the second and third with some good energy" said Gophers head coach Brad Frost, as Minnesota only got off seven shots on goal in the first and committed three penalties, but got it going in the second scoring the games first goal at 13:25. Junior Brittany Francis got a one-time pass from Senior Melanie Gagnon just to the left of the net to score her third goal of the season on the power play and give the Gophers a 1-0 lead.
Minnesota Freshman Monique Lamourex was able to weave her way through the Mavericks defense out of her end going coast-to-coast right to Minnesota State goalie Alli Altmann and lifting a backhanded shot past her to give the Gophers a 2-0 at 10:43 of the Third period.
The Mavericks were able to cut the deficit in half when on the power play Junior Christina Lee fired a slapper from just in few feet inside the blue line that found it's way to the back of the net at 15:47. That goal by Lee was the third power play goal she's scored in the last three games, and now leads the team with nine on the season, but it wasn't enough as the Gophers defeated the Mavericks 2-1.
With the win Minnesota improves to 9-1-1 in the WCHA and 10-2-1 overall, while the Mavericks are now 6-6-1 overall and drop to 3-5-1 in league play.
Both teams go at it again tomorrow, with the faceoff at 4pm.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
3--MSU--Alli Altmann
2--MN--Brittany Francis
1--MN--Melanie Gagnon
GAME STATS:
University of Minnesota Team Summary
Player G--A--PIM--Sh--(+/-)
Kelly Seeler 0--0--2--1--(+1) .
Melanie Gagnon 0--2--2--2--(+1)
Sarah Erickson 0--0--0--0--(0)
Laura May 0--0--0--3--(0)
Rachael Drazan 0--0--0--1--(0)
Kelli Blankenship 0--0--0--1--(0)
Jaimie Horton 0--0--0--2--(0)
Brittany Francis 1--0--0--4--(0)
Jocelyne Lamoureux 0--1--2--4--(+1)
Chelsey Jones 0--0--2--0--(0)
Emily West 0--0--2--2--(0)
Gigi Marvin 0--0--0--2--(0)
Monique Lamoureu x 1--0--0--8--(+1)
Anne Schleper 0--0--2--1--(0)
Dagney Willey 0--0--2--1--(0)
Jen Schoullis 0--0--0--1--(0)
Terra Rasmussen 0--0--0--0--(0)
Michelle Maunu 0--0--0--1--(0)
Alyssa Grogan 0--0--2--0--(0)
Totals 2--3--16--34--(+4)
Goalie Stats
Minnesota State
Alli Altmann 58:43 Min 2-GA 32-Sv
Empty Net 01:17 Min
Minnesota
Alyssa Grogan 60:00 Min 1-GA 14-Sv
Goals
MSU 0-0-1 1
MN 0-1-1 2
Prd--Time-Team--Scored by (Assists)
2nd--13:25--MN--PP Brittany Francis (Melanie Gagnon, Jocelyne Lamoureux)
3rd--10:43--MN--SH Monique Lamoreux (Melanie Gagnon)
3rd--15:47--MSU--PP Christina Lee (Holly Snyder, Lisa Edman)
Shots on Goal
MSU 7-4-4 15
MN 7-17-10 34
Penalties--Minutes
MSU 6--12
MN 8--16
Power Plays
MSU 1-8, 5 SOG
MN 1-5, 7 SOG
Faceoffs Won
MSU 39
MN 30
Gopher Women Sign Four
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
University of Minnesota Women's hockey head coach Brad Frost announced that Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove, Ill), Becky Kortum (Minnetonka, Mn), Mira Jalosuo (Lieksa, Finland) and Noora Raty (Espoo, Finland) have all commited to the U and will join the team in the fall of 2009-10.
Bozek, a 5-9 defenceman, enters the Gopher program with a high level of experience on the USA Hockey scene. In 2007 and 2008, she was a two-time member of the U.S. Under-18 team when she competed against Canada in a three-game series.
Kortum, a 5-7 forward, is in her senior season with Hopkins High School under head coach Vin Paolucci. As a junior, Kortum led the Hopkins Royals to a Classic Lake Conference title when she scored a team and league-high 37 goals and 59 points.
Jalusuo, is a standout 6-0 defenceman from Finland who was a member of the Finnish National Team that competed two weeks ago at the Four Nations Cup. She is also a two-year member Finland National Team in 2007 and 2008.
Raty, a 5-4 goaltender, has been Finland's top goalie since she started with the national team. The starting goalie for the Finnish Olympic Team, Raty was 15 at the time of the 2006 Olympics, and last year she helped Finland to a bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships.
November 21st
End of an Era
This Saturday night marks the last time that the University of Minnesota will play host to a football game off campus and at the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. This, as marked on the plastic collector schedule glasses handed out on every soft drink sold at the Dome this season, is "The End of an Era", and for many it's an Era that couldn't have ended sooner.
The Era, of course, is the non-collegete indoor football environment that's perfect for a NFL team like the Vikings, whom the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome was built for, but not the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Like most Gopher football fans I could go on a five-page rant on why the Dome isn't and wasn't a good home for Goldy, but it's nothing that hasn't been discussed and voiced over the last 26 years.
It's sad to say, but there's a generation of Gopher Football Fans, not to mention all the University Graduates, that haven't experienced a home game outside and on campus. The last graduating class to walk from their doom room to Memorial Stadium, and maybe stop at Stub n' Herbs for a burger and beer before hand, are in their mid to late 40's and might have taken their kids to a Gopher game at the Dome or had one already graduate from the U without knowing the experience of a home game on campus.
While I don't remember a whole lot about "The Old Brickhouse" I do remember my dad taking me to a few games at that big stadium across from "The Barn" and sitting on a wooden bench. Most of my Gopher football memories revolve around going downtown to the Dome. I wasn't at the Nebraska slaughter in which the starters were still in game in the fourth quarter because 'Huskers coach Tom Osborn (well known for running up the score) wanted his running back to get 30 carries, but I do remember Ricky Foggie directing the offense, Darryl Thompson running out of the backfield, "Air Wacker" and those 56-52 games against Purdue, handing Wisconsin there only loss in 1993, beating Iowa for the PIg and seeing the Iowa bumble bee vans parked on the street outside the Dome, along with all those night games in the mid 90's, the 4th quarter collapse against Michigan in '03 and several other both good and bad memories that would fill more then 10 pages.
The question that has been asked over the last quarter century plus is, "Why did the Gophers move to the Metrodome when they already had a stadium to play in?" I don't know if there's really been a good answer given, by either the University or somebody else, but surly if the U knew then what they know now, either Memorial Stadium, or a renovated one would still be standing across from Williams Arena in Stadium Village.
As it stands the U will have that on campus stadium across from Williams Arena, just on the other side so to speak. While it might be a sign of the times, or the only way for the University to get public money to build the stadium, current season ticket holders who want their same seats, or to upgrade to better ones, have to pay a per seat charge. To be guaranteed a seat between the 40 yard lines is $500, and between the 20 yard lines it's $250 per seat. The New Yankee Stadium in New York, along with a few other new stadiums, have adopted this same "Fee" and in some cases it's been more. It's been suggested that this "Fee" is the team's/University's way of coming up with their share of the money, otherwise they would've had to ask for more public money and the stadium bond/bill might not have passed, etc... but no concrete reason has really been given. The bottom line is Gopher football season ticket holders who want to either keep their same seats or upgrade to better ones will have to pay either $250 or $500 per seat per year for the privilege of close good seats. (Unlike the one-time fee that was associated with the Williams Arena renovation back in the early 90's to guarantee first deck seats.) An interesting question is, what if you decide to pay the $500 for two-years then change your mind? Does that mean you're moved out of those seats and to the back of the season ticket holder line and reassigned seats in the back row of the end zone?
That along with several other questions have yet to be answered regarding TCF Bank Stadium, like if Alcohol will be served only in the suites or if the whole stadium will by dry?
Back in the days of Memorial Stadium (and Williams Arena) the ushers would give the adults a pass (allow them to leave) at halftime to walk across the street to Stub n' Herbs so they could get a "beverage" and get back in to watch the second half (I believe it was the firehouse with Williams Arena). Chances are that probably won't happen, as Stub n' Herbs is a few blocks away, so maybe it's fitting that for the final Gopher Football game at the Dome the adults will be able to enjoy a "beverage" to not only rejoice finally getting out of downtown and back on campus, but to celebrate and remember the past 26 years of Gopher Football and "The End of an Era" at the Dome.
This Saturday night marks the last time that the University of Minnesota will play host to a football game off campus and at the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. This, as marked on the plastic collector schedule glasses handed out on every soft drink sold at the Dome this season, is "The End of an Era", and for many it's an Era that couldn't have ended sooner.
The Era, of course, is the non-collegete indoor football environment that's perfect for a NFL team like the Vikings, whom the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome was built for, but not the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Like most Gopher football fans I could go on a five-page rant on why the Dome isn't and wasn't a good home for Goldy, but it's nothing that hasn't been discussed and voiced over the last 26 years.
It's sad to say, but there's a generation of Gopher Football Fans, not to mention all the University Graduates, that haven't experienced a home game outside and on campus. The last graduating class to walk from their doom room to Memorial Stadium, and maybe stop at Stub n' Herbs for a burger and beer before hand, are in their mid to late 40's and might have taken their kids to a Gopher game at the Dome or had one already graduate from the U without knowing the experience of a home game on campus.
While I don't remember a whole lot about "The Old Brickhouse" I do remember my dad taking me to a few games at that big stadium across from "The Barn" and sitting on a wooden bench. Most of my Gopher football memories revolve around going downtown to the Dome. I wasn't at the Nebraska slaughter in which the starters were still in game in the fourth quarter because 'Huskers coach Tom Osborn (well known for running up the score) wanted his running back to get 30 carries, but I do remember Ricky Foggie directing the offense, Darryl Thompson running out of the backfield, "Air Wacker" and those 56-52 games against Purdue, handing Wisconsin there only loss in 1993, beating Iowa for the PIg and seeing the Iowa bumble bee vans parked on the street outside the Dome, along with all those night games in the mid 90's, the 4th quarter collapse against Michigan in '03 and several other both good and bad memories that would fill more then 10 pages.
The question that has been asked over the last quarter century plus is, "Why did the Gophers move to the Metrodome when they already had a stadium to play in?" I don't know if there's really been a good answer given, by either the University or somebody else, but surly if the U knew then what they know now, either Memorial Stadium, or a renovated one would still be standing across from Williams Arena in Stadium Village.
As it stands the U will have that on campus stadium across from Williams Arena, just on the other side so to speak. While it might be a sign of the times, or the only way for the University to get public money to build the stadium, current season ticket holders who want their same seats, or to upgrade to better ones, have to pay a per seat charge. To be guaranteed a seat between the 40 yard lines is $500, and between the 20 yard lines it's $250 per seat. The New Yankee Stadium in New York, along with a few other new stadiums, have adopted this same "Fee" and in some cases it's been more. It's been suggested that this "Fee" is the team's/University's way of coming up with their share of the money, otherwise they would've had to ask for more public money and the stadium bond/bill might not have passed, etc... but no concrete reason has really been given. The bottom line is Gopher football season ticket holders who want to either keep their same seats or upgrade to better ones will have to pay either $250 or $500 per seat per year for the privilege of close good seats. (Unlike the one-time fee that was associated with the Williams Arena renovation back in the early 90's to guarantee first deck seats.) An interesting question is, what if you decide to pay the $500 for two-years then change your mind? Does that mean you're moved out of those seats and to the back of the season ticket holder line and reassigned seats in the back row of the end zone?
That along with several other questions have yet to be answered regarding TCF Bank Stadium, like if Alcohol will be served only in the suites or if the whole stadium will by dry?
Back in the days of Memorial Stadium (and Williams Arena) the ushers would give the adults a pass (allow them to leave) at halftime to walk across the street to Stub n' Herbs so they could get a "beverage" and get back in to watch the second half (I believe it was the firehouse with Williams Arena). Chances are that probably won't happen, as Stub n' Herbs is a few blocks away, so maybe it's fitting that for the final Gopher Football game at the Dome the adults will be able to enjoy a "beverage" to not only rejoice finally getting out of downtown and back on campus, but to celebrate and remember the past 26 years of Gopher Football and "The End of an Era" at the Dome.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
November 20th
Canucks Nip Wild
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
ST PAUL -- Fresh off a 2-1 Shooutout win Tuesday in Pittsburgh against the defending Eastern Conference Champion Penguins, the Minnesota Wild returned home for the first of a five-game homestand Thursday night hosting the Vancouver Canucks.
Just one-point seperated Vancouver (24pts, 11-6-2) and Minnesota (23pts, 11-4-3) heading into the game as both teams have either shared or at least had a share of first place in the Northwest Division since the season started, and both clubs have been playing well as of late. The Wild are 4-1-0 in their last 5 games, while the Canucks are 3-0-2, and won the first meeting between the two back on November 8th at GM Place 2-0.
Vancouver beat the Rangers 6-3 Wednesday night and is playing the second of back-to-back games in their third of 11 total back-to-back series this season, and so far this year has a 3-1-0 record in those games. Last season the Canucks were 13-14-3 in back-to-back series, posting a 7-6-2 record in the first game played and 6-8-1 in the second game played.
Curtis Sanford got his second start of the season in net for the Canucks, as Captain Roberto Luongo got the night off, and in 2 games played had allowed 5 goals with a .878 save percentage.
Both teams skated a scoreless opening period, but the crowd came to their feet 12:04 in as Erik Reitz of the Wild and Taylor Pyatt of the Canucks pushed each other in front of the Wild bench and were about to drop their gloves when at the last second Vancouver's Shane O'Brien got between the two and slashed Reitz, while they both went at it to a draw that saw several good punches thrown.
Minnesota broke the scoreless tie at 7:16 of the second period when Mikko Koivu fired a slapper from the left face-off circle that went five-hole on Sanford for his forth goal of the season. Vancouver tied it 1-1 at 12:00 when Steve Bernier in the high left slot turned around and released a wrister that went just a quarter-inch above Niklas Backstrom's glove to the high right corner of the net. Just 2:22 later Koivu scored his second goal of the game, a shorthanded one on a breakaway, to give Minnesota a brief 2-1 lead. Former Wild Forward Pavol Demitra scored a power play goal off a pass from the corner that took a weird bounce in the crease and found it's way to the back of the net at 16:10 to tie it 2-2. That power play goal was just the second Minnesota had surrendered at home this season, and only the fifth this season. Heading into the game the Wild had outscored it's opponents 9-1 in the second period at home this season, and marked the first time since October 29th in Dallas that they've allowed two goals in a period.
Since Daniel and Henrik Sedin came into the league in 2000, the Canucks have lived and died with the Sedin's, especially when both of them get involved or are shut down in a game, as Vancouver's record when both Sedin's register at least one point is 154-50-21. Henrik assisted on Demitra's goal in the second period and Daniel scored the game winner at 11:41 of the third to give the Canucks a 3-2 win over Minnesota and a three-point lead in the Northwest division standings.
Vancouver improved to 5-0-1 in the division and are the only team without a regulation loss versus the Northwest this season, while Curtis Sanford recorded his first win in almost a year dating back to December 12th, 2007 against Anaheim.
Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom lost at home for the first time in 15 regular season decisions (11-1-3) dating back to March 4th, 2008 as the Wild fell to 1-3-1 on the season when allowing three or more goals, lost for just the second time in regulation in the last eight overall meetings against the Canucks, and lost for the first time this season (8-1-0) when Koivu gets at least one point.
Minnesota will contuine their season long five-game homestand Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues, and then Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Monday.
Three Stars of the Game (Picked by Doug Johnson of Lets Play Hockey)
1--MN--Mikko Koivu (2 Goals, including a Shorthanded one in 2nd period)
2--VAN--Pavol Demitra (Goal and Assist)
3--MN--Cal Cutterbuck (8 Hits & a Blocked Shot)
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
ST PAUL -- Fresh off a 2-1 Shooutout win Tuesday in Pittsburgh against the defending Eastern Conference Champion Penguins, the Minnesota Wild returned home for the first of a five-game homestand Thursday night hosting the Vancouver Canucks.
Just one-point seperated Vancouver (24pts, 11-6-2) and Minnesota (23pts, 11-4-3) heading into the game as both teams have either shared or at least had a share of first place in the Northwest Division since the season started, and both clubs have been playing well as of late. The Wild are 4-1-0 in their last 5 games, while the Canucks are 3-0-2, and won the first meeting between the two back on November 8th at GM Place 2-0.
Vancouver beat the Rangers 6-3 Wednesday night and is playing the second of back-to-back games in their third of 11 total back-to-back series this season, and so far this year has a 3-1-0 record in those games. Last season the Canucks were 13-14-3 in back-to-back series, posting a 7-6-2 record in the first game played and 6-8-1 in the second game played.
Curtis Sanford got his second start of the season in net for the Canucks, as Captain Roberto Luongo got the night off, and in 2 games played had allowed 5 goals with a .878 save percentage.
Both teams skated a scoreless opening period, but the crowd came to their feet 12:04 in as Erik Reitz of the Wild and Taylor Pyatt of the Canucks pushed each other in front of the Wild bench and were about to drop their gloves when at the last second Vancouver's Shane O'Brien got between the two and slashed Reitz, while they both went at it to a draw that saw several good punches thrown.
Minnesota broke the scoreless tie at 7:16 of the second period when Mikko Koivu fired a slapper from the left face-off circle that went five-hole on Sanford for his forth goal of the season. Vancouver tied it 1-1 at 12:00 when Steve Bernier in the high left slot turned around and released a wrister that went just a quarter-inch above Niklas Backstrom's glove to the high right corner of the net. Just 2:22 later Koivu scored his second goal of the game, a shorthanded one on a breakaway, to give Minnesota a brief 2-1 lead. Former Wild Forward Pavol Demitra scored a power play goal off a pass from the corner that took a weird bounce in the crease and found it's way to the back of the net at 16:10 to tie it 2-2. That power play goal was just the second Minnesota had surrendered at home this season, and only the fifth this season. Heading into the game the Wild had outscored it's opponents 9-1 in the second period at home this season, and marked the first time since October 29th in Dallas that they've allowed two goals in a period.
Since Daniel and Henrik Sedin came into the league in 2000, the Canucks have lived and died with the Sedin's, especially when both of them get involved or are shut down in a game, as Vancouver's record when both Sedin's register at least one point is 154-50-21. Henrik assisted on Demitra's goal in the second period and Daniel scored the game winner at 11:41 of the third to give the Canucks a 3-2 win over Minnesota and a three-point lead in the Northwest division standings.
Vancouver improved to 5-0-1 in the division and are the only team without a regulation loss versus the Northwest this season, while Curtis Sanford recorded his first win in almost a year dating back to December 12th, 2007 against Anaheim.
Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom lost at home for the first time in 15 regular season decisions (11-1-3) dating back to March 4th, 2008 as the Wild fell to 1-3-1 on the season when allowing three or more goals, lost for just the second time in regulation in the last eight overall meetings against the Canucks, and lost for the first time this season (8-1-0) when Koivu gets at least one point.
Minnesota will contuine their season long five-game homestand Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues, and then Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Monday.
Three Stars of the Game (Picked by Doug Johnson of Lets Play Hockey)
1--MN--Mikko Koivu (2 Goals, including a Shorthanded one in 2nd period)
2--VAN--Pavol Demitra (Goal and Assist)
3--MN--Cal Cutterbuck (8 Hits & a Blocked Shot)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
November 15th
Wild Hang Up Jackets (Again)
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
Following a 4-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes Thursday, in which all their goals were scored on the power play. the Minnesota Wild hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center in downtown Saint Paul.
Saturday marked the second (and last) time Columbus will play at the "X" this season, as the Wild edged the Jackets 2-1 back on October 25th. Owen Nolan scored the game winning goal and added an assist while Niklas Backstrom recored 25 saves in that game to improve Minnesota's all time home record against their expansion rival to 11-3-1, with nine of those contests decided by one goal.
Columbus came into Saturday's game 4-1 in their last five outings, having defeated Buffalo 6-1 on Friday, which was their first five goal road victory since 2003. The Jackets also downed Calgary 3-1, Montreal 4-3 (SO) and Edmonton 5-4 in that stretch dating back to November 5th, while losing to Phoenix 5-2 on Wednesday. Rookie netminder Steve Mason was in net for 4 of those games (except Buffalo) posting a 3-1 record with a 2.96 GAA and .896 SV%
---on a brief side note, Marian Gaborik (lower body) missed game number 13 of the season, and while there's no merit to it the big rumor around the Al Shaver Press Box prior to the game had Toronto trading Nik Antropov to Minnesota for Gabby sometime in the next two weeks. Should this turn out to be true, entering Saturday Antropov in 9 years has played 463 games with 111 goals and 149 assists for 260 points but only has one 20+ goal season. On the other side Gaborik (487 games in 8 years, 207-208=415) has five 30+ goal season and one 40+ goal season last year. It's not usually mine, or this websites style to comment on something like this, but this rumor had a few unnamed individuals in the press box frothing at the mouth and angrily sending text messages---
On the ice it took 17:36 before the games first goal as Benoit Pouliot tipped in a power play goal off a rebound to give Minnesota a brief 1-0 lead. Columbus scored just 2:00 minutes later in the periods winding seconds. Derick Brassard fired a shot from the right face off circle that Niklas Backstrom stopped, and layed down thinking the puck was between his back and the ice, but it went just outside the crease to Kristian Huselius who had an open net to shoot at and tie the game at 1-1.
It wasn't until 1:48 of the third period that the tie was broken when Erik Reitz, a sixth round draft pick by Minnesota in 2000 who had played 363 games with the Houston Aeros of the AHL, scored his first NHL goal to give the Wild a 2-1 lead. That goal by Reitz snapped a streak of 191:52 in which Minnesota scored it's last even strength goal, November 6th in Colorado, as each of their previous five goals came with the man advantage.
The 2-1 lead only lasted for a few minutes as Rick Nash picked off a pass in the zone, just outside the left face off circle, and beat Backstrom on a one-handed-back-handed shot to tie it 2-2 at 7:20 for Columbus.
Both teams skated a scoreless rest of regulation and in overtime to send it to the Wild's first shootout at home this season.
Andrew Brunette was unsuccessful on his attempt in the "Skills Competition", but Marek Zidlicky and Antti Miettinen converted on their chances as the Wild won the Shootout 2-1, and the game 3-2.
With the win Minnesota improves to 12-3-1 against Columbus at home, having won the last four in a row against the Jackets, establishing a franchise record against their expansion counterpart.
Up next for the Wild is a nationally televised game at Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Three Stars of the Game (Picked by Doug Johnson of Lets Play Hockey):
1--MN--Marek Zidlicky
2--MN--Erik Reitz
3--CBJ--Rick Nash
Post Game Notes:
Goalie Niklas Backstrom improved to 11-0-3 with a 1.54 GAA and a .945 SV% in his last 14 home starts. He's 40-8-10 all-time at Xcel Energy Center. Backstrom also improved to 2-0 this season in shootouts, after going 4-10 in his first two NHL seasons.
Minnesota's power play goal was it's first against Columbus in the last six meetings, having gone 0-for-24 in the last five games versus the Blue Jackets. The Wild went 1-for-3 on the man advantage. Minnesota's penalty kill, ranked first in the NHL, was successful on it's lone attempt. At home, the Wild is an NHL best 23-for-24 (95.8 %) on the PK.
Centre Benoit Pouliot scored his fifth goal of the season - one off the team lead. Pouliot scored his third goal in the last six games - including two on the power play.
The Wild improved to 2-0 in shootouts, while Columbus is 1-3.
Ten of the 16 meetings between the teams at Xcel Energy Center have been decided by one goal.
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
Following a 4-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes Thursday, in which all their goals were scored on the power play. the Minnesota Wild hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center in downtown Saint Paul.
Saturday marked the second (and last) time Columbus will play at the "X" this season, as the Wild edged the Jackets 2-1 back on October 25th. Owen Nolan scored the game winning goal and added an assist while Niklas Backstrom recored 25 saves in that game to improve Minnesota's all time home record against their expansion rival to 11-3-1, with nine of those contests decided by one goal.
Columbus came into Saturday's game 4-1 in their last five outings, having defeated Buffalo 6-1 on Friday, which was their first five goal road victory since 2003. The Jackets also downed Calgary 3-1, Montreal 4-3 (SO) and Edmonton 5-4 in that stretch dating back to November 5th, while losing to Phoenix 5-2 on Wednesday. Rookie netminder Steve Mason was in net for 4 of those games (except Buffalo) posting a 3-1 record with a 2.96 GAA and .896 SV%
---on a brief side note, Marian Gaborik (lower body) missed game number 13 of the season, and while there's no merit to it the big rumor around the Al Shaver Press Box prior to the game had Toronto trading Nik Antropov to Minnesota for Gabby sometime in the next two weeks. Should this turn out to be true, entering Saturday Antropov in 9 years has played 463 games with 111 goals and 149 assists for 260 points but only has one 20+ goal season. On the other side Gaborik (487 games in 8 years, 207-208=415) has five 30+ goal season and one 40+ goal season last year. It's not usually mine, or this websites style to comment on something like this, but this rumor had a few unnamed individuals in the press box frothing at the mouth and angrily sending text messages---
On the ice it took 17:36 before the games first goal as Benoit Pouliot tipped in a power play goal off a rebound to give Minnesota a brief 1-0 lead. Columbus scored just 2:00 minutes later in the periods winding seconds. Derick Brassard fired a shot from the right face off circle that Niklas Backstrom stopped, and layed down thinking the puck was between his back and the ice, but it went just outside the crease to Kristian Huselius who had an open net to shoot at and tie the game at 1-1.
It wasn't until 1:48 of the third period that the tie was broken when Erik Reitz, a sixth round draft pick by Minnesota in 2000 who had played 363 games with the Houston Aeros of the AHL, scored his first NHL goal to give the Wild a 2-1 lead. That goal by Reitz snapped a streak of 191:52 in which Minnesota scored it's last even strength goal, November 6th in Colorado, as each of their previous five goals came with the man advantage.
The 2-1 lead only lasted for a few minutes as Rick Nash picked off a pass in the zone, just outside the left face off circle, and beat Backstrom on a one-handed-back-handed shot to tie it 2-2 at 7:20 for Columbus.
Both teams skated a scoreless rest of regulation and in overtime to send it to the Wild's first shootout at home this season.
Andrew Brunette was unsuccessful on his attempt in the "Skills Competition", but Marek Zidlicky and Antti Miettinen converted on their chances as the Wild won the Shootout 2-1, and the game 3-2.
With the win Minnesota improves to 12-3-1 against Columbus at home, having won the last four in a row against the Jackets, establishing a franchise record against their expansion counterpart.
Up next for the Wild is a nationally televised game at Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Three Stars of the Game (Picked by Doug Johnson of Lets Play Hockey):
1--MN--Marek Zidlicky
2--MN--Erik Reitz
3--CBJ--Rick Nash
Post Game Notes:
Goalie Niklas Backstrom improved to 11-0-3 with a 1.54 GAA and a .945 SV% in his last 14 home starts. He's 40-8-10 all-time at Xcel Energy Center. Backstrom also improved to 2-0 this season in shootouts, after going 4-10 in his first two NHL seasons.
Minnesota's power play goal was it's first against Columbus in the last six meetings, having gone 0-for-24 in the last five games versus the Blue Jackets. The Wild went 1-for-3 on the man advantage. Minnesota's penalty kill, ranked first in the NHL, was successful on it's lone attempt. At home, the Wild is an NHL best 23-for-24 (95.8 %) on the PK.
Centre Benoit Pouliot scored his fifth goal of the season - one off the team lead. Pouliot scored his third goal in the last six games - including two on the power play.
The Wild improved to 2-0 in shootouts, while Columbus is 1-3.
Ten of the 16 meetings between the teams at Xcel Energy Center have been decided by one goal.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
November 13th
Wild Tame Coyotes
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
After a 2-2 road trip and following their first shutout of the season, 2-0 to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, the Minnesota Wild returned home Thursday to host the Phoenix Coyotes.
Thursday's game marked the beginning of a stretch in which the Wild will play 10 of the next 12 games at home, and was just their sixth game at Xcel Energy Center this season. Only Edmonton (3) has played fewer home games this season.
This wasn't the first meeting of the season between the two clubs as back on November 1st in Phoenix, Minnesota beat the Coyotes 3-2. Niklas Backstrom recored 25 saves and improved his lifetime record against the Coyotes to 7-0-0 with a 1.29 GAA and .957 SV%. On the other side Ilya Bryzgalov is 0-5 with a 3.28 GAA and .894 SV% in six career games versus Minnesota (5 starts).
Both goalies were sharp early on as Bryzgalov made 13 saves and Backstrom 5 in the first period, with both teams skating a scoreless first frame.
Marek Zidlicky broke the scoreless tie 3:47 in the second period on the power play off an assist from Marc-Andre Bergeron to put the Wild up 1-0. Minnesota added another in the second at 15:43 with a two-man advantage as Andrew Brunette scored his sixth of the season and the Wild took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission.
Minnesota again started the third as they did the second period, getting a a power play goal in the periods third minute, 3:11 to be exact, from Eric Belanger who had a two point night (1-1=2) to put Minnesota up 3-0. Right on the faceoff Cal Cutterbuck of the Wild and Keith Yandle of the Coyotes dropped 'em.
"(Right on the faceoff) he (Yandle) came up to me and asked if I wanted to go" Said Cutterbuck who was fresh off the bench and decided why not. "I was excited, it's been a while since I fought anybody and it's always good to get that monkey off your back, it's almost the same as scoring a goal. You don't fight for awhile and you start doubting yourself".
The Wild added another third period, and their fourth power-play, goal at 18:53 when Zidlicky scored his second of the game as Minnesota won 4-0 to defeat Phoenix for the ninth straight time, which ties the Wild record for the longest winning streak against one team as Minnesota defeated Chicago in nine straight meetings from January 20, 2006 to January 11, 2008.
The last time the Coyotes defeated the Wild was almost two years to the day on November 14th 2006 at Jobing.com Arena.
With the Win Minnesota improves to 9-4-1 and Phoenix drops to 8-7-0, and the next meeting between the two is on December 11 at Jobing.com arena in Phoenix.
After a day off Friday, the Wild will host the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night with the face off at 710pm.
Three Stars (Picked by Wally Shaver of Lets Play Hockey):
1--MN--Marek Zidlicky
2--MN--Andrew Brunette
3--MN--Eric Belanger
Post-Game Notes:
Goalie Niklas Backstrom improved to 8-0-0 against the Coyotes, his second best record against any team. He is 9-0-0 versus Edmonton. Having posted his third shutout against Phoenix Thursday, it marked Backstrom's ninth career shutout at Xcel Energy Center - two off Dwayne Roloson's team record.
Minnesota went 4-for-7 on the power play (57.1%), after going just 5-for-43 (11.6%) in the previous 10 games, and 1-for-21 (4.8%) in the last five contests.
Thursday was just the seventh time in team history the Wild have scored at least four power-play goals. The Wild record for PPG in a game is Five (2/7/06 vs LA and 10/7/06 vs Nashville).
Defenceman Marek Zidlicky notched his third career two-goal game and first since February 11, 2006 vs. Columbus. Zidlicky also added an assist, tying a franchise record for points in a game by a defenceman done on eight other occasions, last by Brent Burns, who tallied three assists vs. Dallas on January 3, 2008.
Centre Eric Belanger added a goal and an assist, his first multi-point game since scoring two goals in the season opener Oct, 11.
Defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron registered a career high three-assists.
Left Wing Andrew Brunette scored his sixth goal of the season and his 31st all-time goal at Xcel Energy Center, tying Antti Laaksonen for fifth place on the all-time list.
Left Wing Owen Nolan, activated off injured reserve just before game time, registered two assists, notching his first point since October 27th (an assist against Chicago).
With two goals in the second period, the Wild has outscored its opponents 15-7 in the second period this season.
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
After a 2-2 road trip and following their first shutout of the season, 2-0 to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, the Minnesota Wild returned home Thursday to host the Phoenix Coyotes.
Thursday's game marked the beginning of a stretch in which the Wild will play 10 of the next 12 games at home, and was just their sixth game at Xcel Energy Center this season. Only Edmonton (3) has played fewer home games this season.
This wasn't the first meeting of the season between the two clubs as back on November 1st in Phoenix, Minnesota beat the Coyotes 3-2. Niklas Backstrom recored 25 saves and improved his lifetime record against the Coyotes to 7-0-0 with a 1.29 GAA and .957 SV%. On the other side Ilya Bryzgalov is 0-5 with a 3.28 GAA and .894 SV% in six career games versus Minnesota (5 starts).
Both goalies were sharp early on as Bryzgalov made 13 saves and Backstrom 5 in the first period, with both teams skating a scoreless first frame.
Marek Zidlicky broke the scoreless tie 3:47 in the second period on the power play off an assist from Marc-Andre Bergeron to put the Wild up 1-0. Minnesota added another in the second at 15:43 with a two-man advantage as Andrew Brunette scored his sixth of the season and the Wild took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission.
Minnesota again started the third as they did the second period, getting a a power play goal in the periods third minute, 3:11 to be exact, from Eric Belanger who had a two point night (1-1=2) to put Minnesota up 3-0. Right on the faceoff Cal Cutterbuck of the Wild and Keith Yandle of the Coyotes dropped 'em.
"(Right on the faceoff) he (Yandle) came up to me and asked if I wanted to go" Said Cutterbuck who was fresh off the bench and decided why not. "I was excited, it's been a while since I fought anybody and it's always good to get that monkey off your back, it's almost the same as scoring a goal. You don't fight for awhile and you start doubting yourself".
The Wild added another third period, and their fourth power-play, goal at 18:53 when Zidlicky scored his second of the game as Minnesota won 4-0 to defeat Phoenix for the ninth straight time, which ties the Wild record for the longest winning streak against one team as Minnesota defeated Chicago in nine straight meetings from January 20, 2006 to January 11, 2008.
The last time the Coyotes defeated the Wild was almost two years to the day on November 14th 2006 at Jobing.com Arena.
With the Win Minnesota improves to 9-4-1 and Phoenix drops to 8-7-0, and the next meeting between the two is on December 11 at Jobing.com arena in Phoenix.
After a day off Friday, the Wild will host the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night with the face off at 710pm.
Three Stars (Picked by Wally Shaver of Lets Play Hockey):
1--MN--Marek Zidlicky
2--MN--Andrew Brunette
3--MN--Eric Belanger
Post-Game Notes:
Goalie Niklas Backstrom improved to 8-0-0 against the Coyotes, his second best record against any team. He is 9-0-0 versus Edmonton. Having posted his third shutout against Phoenix Thursday, it marked Backstrom's ninth career shutout at Xcel Energy Center - two off Dwayne Roloson's team record.
Minnesota went 4-for-7 on the power play (57.1%), after going just 5-for-43 (11.6%) in the previous 10 games, and 1-for-21 (4.8%) in the last five contests.
Thursday was just the seventh time in team history the Wild have scored at least four power-play goals. The Wild record for PPG in a game is Five (2/7/06 vs LA and 10/7/06 vs Nashville).
Defenceman Marek Zidlicky notched his third career two-goal game and first since February 11, 2006 vs. Columbus. Zidlicky also added an assist, tying a franchise record for points in a game by a defenceman done on eight other occasions, last by Brent Burns, who tallied three assists vs. Dallas on January 3, 2008.
Centre Eric Belanger added a goal and an assist, his first multi-point game since scoring two goals in the season opener Oct, 11.
Defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron registered a career high three-assists.
Left Wing Andrew Brunette scored his sixth goal of the season and his 31st all-time goal at Xcel Energy Center, tying Antti Laaksonen for fifth place on the all-time list.
Left Wing Owen Nolan, activated off injured reserve just before game time, registered two assists, notching his first point since October 27th (an assist against Chicago).
With two goals in the second period, the Wild has outscored its opponents 15-7 in the second period this season.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
October 31st
Gophers Edge Huskies 2-1
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Number 2 ranked University of Minnesota Women's Hockey Team hosted the St. Cloud State Huskies Friday night at Ridder Arena in the first game of a home-and-home weekend series.
Since their first meeting in January of 1999, the Gophers and Huskies have played in 14 home-and-home series, including six consecutive times since January of 2006, with Minnesota holding an all-time record of 35-2-1. The two teams tied in their first series meeting last season 4-4, with St. Cloud winning the next game 2-1 which snapped the Gophers 24-game win streak against the Huskies.
Minnesota (5-2-1, 4-1-1 WCHA) is currently in one of its toughest stretches of the season having swept the then number one ranked Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (Oct. 10-11) and then a sweep over then ranked number nine Ohio State two weeks ago. Last weekend the Gophers earned two points against top ranked Wisconsin (1-1 tie, 2-1 shootout loss), and for the third straight week received the Number Two ranking in the U.S College Hockey Online and the USA Today polls.
St. Cloud State (4-2-2, 1-2-1 WCHA) started the season with a series win over Quinnipiac and then a suffered two one-goal losses to North Dakota. The Huskies then took three points (four including the shootout) against Minnesota-Duluth, and got a win and tie last weekend against Brown.
The Huskies were looking to carry over there success against Brown and did so early on and throughout the first period against the Gophers. St. Cloud did a great job of disrupting Minnesota's attack and clogging their offense, not letting them get anything really going and it wasn't until 8:32 into the game that the Gophers registered their first shot on goal, and the Huskies also did a tremendous job of killing off Minnesota's first power play chance by not allowing a shot on goal and forcing the Gophers to turn the puck over each time they were able to get in the zone as the two teams skated to a scoreless first period, with St. Cloud out shooting Minnesota 12-4.
The Gophers only needed :22 seconds into the second period to break the scoreless tie, as after winning the opening faceoff skated in the zone and St. Cloud goaltender Ashley Nixon stopped Brittany Francis's shot from the left side but the rebound went right to Emily West as the Sophomore's scored her third goal of the season to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.
A total of 11 penalties were called in the second period which brought a few 4-on-4 and 4-on-3 situations but both teams were able to kill each off as the Gophers went 0-4 and St. Cloud 0-2 with the extra attacker in the second.
The third period started with St. Cloud on a 5-on-3 power play for :02 seconds, and the Huskies won the opening faceoff, and brought the puck in the zone right as Junior Michelle Maunu came out of the box for Minnesota, Huskies left winger Sammy Nixon stopped on the left face off dot and her slapper went past Alyssa Grogan to tie the game 1-1. Senior Captain Gigi Marvin put the Gophers ahead at 12:38 as her shot was partially stopped but ended up trickling thru Nixon's pads for the eventual game winning goal. Marvin now has 148 points in her Gopher career (62-86=148) in 123 games and ranks 10th in school history in points and goals.
With the win Minnesota improves to 6-1-1 in the WCHA, while St. Cloud drops to 1-4-1 in league play. Both teams finish the home-and-home series Saturday night at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud at 7pm.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
3--SCSU--Sammy Nixon (Scored Huskies lone goal :08 into 3rd period)
2--MN--Emily West (Scored her 3rd goal of the season :21 into 2nd period)
1--MN--Alyssa Grogan (The Freshman had 25 saves and improved to 3-0-1)
GAME STATS:
University of Minnesota Team Summary
Player -------------------------- G A PIM Sh +/-
Kelly Seeler------------------- 0 . 0 0 0 0
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 0 2 1 0
Sarah Erickson--------------- 0 0 4 0 0
Laura May--------------------- 0 0 0 2 0
Rachel Drazan------------- 0 0 2 0 +2
Kelli Blankenship------------ 0 1 0 2 +1
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Brittany Francis-------------- 0 1 0 2 +1
Jocelyne Lamoureux------- 0 0 4 3 0
Chelsey Jones--------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Emily West-------------------- 1 0 2 6 +2
Gigi Marvin-------------------- 1 0 0 4 +2
Monique Lamoureu x------- 0 0 2 5 0
Anne Schleper--------------- 0 0 2 0 0
Dagney Willey---------------- 0 0 2 1 0
Jen Schoullis----------------- 0 0 0 2 0
Terra Rasmussen----------- 0 0 0 1 0
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 0 2 1 +2
Totals--------------------------- 2 2 22 30 +10
Goalie Stats
St. Cloud
Ashley Nixon (Loss) 59:09 Min 2 GA 28 SV
EMPTY NET 00:51 Min
Minnesota
Alyssa Grogan (Win) 59:46 Min 1 GA 25 SV
EMPTY NET 00:14 Min
Goals
SCSU 0-0-1 1
MN 0-1-1 2
Prd--Time-Team--Scored by (Assists)
2nd--00:21--MN--EV Emily West (Brittany Francis)
3rd--00:08--SCSU--PP Sammy Nixon (Caitlin Hogan)
3rd--12:38--MN--EV Gigi Marvin (Kelli Blankenship)
Shots on Goal
SCSU 12-6-8 26
MN 4-15-11 30
Penalties--Minutes
SCSU 11--22
MN 11--22
Power Plays
SCSU 1-8 (3 SOG, Time on PP 10:28)
MN 0-9 (6 SOG, Time on PP 11:58)
Faceoffs Won
SCSU 31
MN 36
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Number 2 ranked University of Minnesota Women's Hockey Team hosted the St. Cloud State Huskies Friday night at Ridder Arena in the first game of a home-and-home weekend series.
Since their first meeting in January of 1999, the Gophers and Huskies have played in 14 home-and-home series, including six consecutive times since January of 2006, with Minnesota holding an all-time record of 35-2-1. The two teams tied in their first series meeting last season 4-4, with St. Cloud winning the next game 2-1 which snapped the Gophers 24-game win streak against the Huskies.
Minnesota (5-2-1, 4-1-1 WCHA) is currently in one of its toughest stretches of the season having swept the then number one ranked Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (Oct. 10-11) and then a sweep over then ranked number nine Ohio State two weeks ago. Last weekend the Gophers earned two points against top ranked Wisconsin (1-1 tie, 2-1 shootout loss), and for the third straight week received the Number Two ranking in the U.S College Hockey Online and the USA Today polls.
St. Cloud State (4-2-2, 1-2-1 WCHA) started the season with a series win over Quinnipiac and then a suffered two one-goal losses to North Dakota. The Huskies then took three points (four including the shootout) against Minnesota-Duluth, and got a win and tie last weekend against Brown.
The Huskies were looking to carry over there success against Brown and did so early on and throughout the first period against the Gophers. St. Cloud did a great job of disrupting Minnesota's attack and clogging their offense, not letting them get anything really going and it wasn't until 8:32 into the game that the Gophers registered their first shot on goal, and the Huskies also did a tremendous job of killing off Minnesota's first power play chance by not allowing a shot on goal and forcing the Gophers to turn the puck over each time they were able to get in the zone as the two teams skated to a scoreless first period, with St. Cloud out shooting Minnesota 12-4.
The Gophers only needed :22 seconds into the second period to break the scoreless tie, as after winning the opening faceoff skated in the zone and St. Cloud goaltender Ashley Nixon stopped Brittany Francis's shot from the left side but the rebound went right to Emily West as the Sophomore's scored her third goal of the season to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.
A total of 11 penalties were called in the second period which brought a few 4-on-4 and 4-on-3 situations but both teams were able to kill each off as the Gophers went 0-4 and St. Cloud 0-2 with the extra attacker in the second.
The third period started with St. Cloud on a 5-on-3 power play for :02 seconds, and the Huskies won the opening faceoff, and brought the puck in the zone right as Junior Michelle Maunu came out of the box for Minnesota, Huskies left winger Sammy Nixon stopped on the left face off dot and her slapper went past Alyssa Grogan to tie the game 1-1. Senior Captain Gigi Marvin put the Gophers ahead at 12:38 as her shot was partially stopped but ended up trickling thru Nixon's pads for the eventual game winning goal. Marvin now has 148 points in her Gopher career (62-86=148) in 123 games and ranks 10th in school history in points and goals.
With the win Minnesota improves to 6-1-1 in the WCHA, while St. Cloud drops to 1-4-1 in league play. Both teams finish the home-and-home series Saturday night at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud at 7pm.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
3--SCSU--Sammy Nixon (Scored Huskies lone goal :08 into 3rd period)
2--MN--Emily West (Scored her 3rd goal of the season :21 into 2nd period)
1--MN--Alyssa Grogan (The Freshman had 25 saves and improved to 3-0-1)
GAME STATS:
University of Minnesota Team Summary
Player -------------------------- G A PIM Sh +/-
Kelly Seeler------------------- 0 . 0 0 0 0
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 0 2 1 0
Sarah Erickson--------------- 0 0 4 0 0
Laura May--------------------- 0 0 0 2 0
Rachel Drazan------------- 0 0 2 0 +2
Kelli Blankenship------------ 0 1 0 2 +1
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Brittany Francis-------------- 0 1 0 2 +1
Jocelyne Lamoureux------- 0 0 4 3 0
Chelsey Jones--------------- 0 0 0 0 0
Emily West-------------------- 1 0 2 6 +2
Gigi Marvin-------------------- 1 0 0 4 +2
Monique Lamoureu x------- 0 0 2 5 0
Anne Schleper--------------- 0 0 2 0 0
Dagney Willey---------------- 0 0 2 1 0
Jen Schoullis----------------- 0 0 0 2 0
Terra Rasmussen----------- 0 0 0 1 0
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 0 2 1 +2
Totals--------------------------- 2 2 22 30 +10
Goalie Stats
St. Cloud
Ashley Nixon (Loss) 59:09 Min 2 GA 28 SV
EMPTY NET 00:51 Min
Minnesota
Alyssa Grogan (Win) 59:46 Min 1 GA 25 SV
EMPTY NET 00:14 Min
Goals
SCSU 0-0-1 1
MN 0-1-1 2
Prd--Time-Team--Scored by (Assists)
2nd--00:21--MN--EV Emily West (Brittany Francis)
3rd--00:08--SCSU--PP Sammy Nixon (Caitlin Hogan)
3rd--12:38--MN--EV Gigi Marvin (Kelli Blankenship)
Shots on Goal
SCSU 12-6-8 26
MN 4-15-11 30
Penalties--Minutes
SCSU 11--22
MN 11--22
Power Plays
SCSU 1-8 (3 SOG, Time on PP 10:28)
MN 0-9 (6 SOG, Time on PP 11:58)
Faceoffs Won
SCSU 31
MN 36
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