By Brian Deutsch on February 22, 2013 8:37 AM
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Thursday's Jets/Hurricanes game started and ended with a Blake Wheeler goal as the former Gopher scored twice in Winnipeg's 4-3 win including the eventual game winner.
The game's No. 2 star, Wheeler has 13 points (six goals and seven assists) in 16 games this season including this wrist shot to put the Jets up early on Thursday.
And why change a good thing for the eventual game winner?
*Toronto's Phil Kessel tallied a pair of assists in Thursday's 3-1 win over Buffalo.
*Jordan Schroeder picked up a helper in Vancouver's 4-3 win over Dallas.
By Brian Deutsch on February 21, 2013 10:47 AM
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Much has been made this season of Paul Martin's revitalized play with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers was no different.
The former Gopher notched three assists in the game to end the night with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) this season. Martin also led the Penguins with 31 shifts last night as his role throughout the Penguins' game plan increases. The defenseman's third assist of the night helped Pittsburgh tie the game at 5-5 with just over two minutes to play in regulation (the Flyers would sneak in the game winner moments later, however).
Here's all three of Martin's helpers from last night for your viewing pleasure.
By Brian Deutsch on February 20, 2013 6:04 PM
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The Gophers met with the media Wednesday ahead of this
weekend's showdown with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.
Minnesota Duluth enters this weekend in the midst of a
tailspin. Last Saturday's tie with Bemidji State represents the Bulldogs first
point earned in seven league contests. Despite this, the Gophers are well aware
of the dangers of playing in-state opponents.
"They have a lot of Minnesota
kids, so it will be some of their biggest games of the year," forward Travis
Boyd said. Head coach Don Lucia cautioned not to judge the Bulldogs on their
record. "They have not scored on a consistent bases throughout their lineup,
but their top end is very good. I think their team speed is as good as
anybody."
With just three weeks left of the regular season, the
Gophers still have work to do if they want to assure home-ice advantage in the
first round of the WCHA playoffs. To do this, Minnesota must find consistency.
"We have to put a good weekend together, and a good weekend is two nights, not
just one," Boyd said.
Captain Zach Budish said the key to a good
weekend comes before gametime. "We have had good weeks of practice leading up
to Friday games, and we have won the last couple of Friday games. Saturday,
maybe we haven't had the same intensity coming out or preparation during the
day."
Minnesota players and staff had a chance to reflect on their
experience at the Hockey City Classic. Here are some thoughts:
Lucia - "I
think it was a great experience for us. I think the players will remember it
the rest of their lives. From our standpoint it was a positive experience,
except for the score."
Budish -- "It
was a once in a lifetime event. The people at the Hockey City Classic did a
great job putting it on. It was a big stage for us and we had a blast.
Obviously, coming out with a loss was not what we planned for."
Jake Parenteau -- "It was really cool, a
once in a lifetime experience. I will cherish it for a long time."
Boyd -- "We
were all in the moment. Playing on that stage is something no one has done on
that big of a stage before."
Story by University of Minnesota Communications Intern Josh
Brennock
By Brian Deutsch on February 19, 2013 9:59 AM
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Former Gopher and current Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel picked up the game winner last night in the team's 3-0 win at Florida. The right-handed winger has five points (two goals, three assists) in his last five games including last night's laser that had ESPN's John Buccigross tweeting the following:
Phil Kessel. Bar Down-hands up-mama cries. No one more exciting in full flight with that wrist finisher than Kessel #snipedream#bunkbed
By Brian Deutsch on February 18, 2013 2:52 PM
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Sunday's matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres featured former Gophers Paul Martin, Thomas Vanek and Jordan Leopold -- also known as the NHL's leading scorer, a former Hobey Baker Award winner and a total of four national championships between the trio.
Martin, whose revitalized play this year was profiled last week by ESPN, picked up the game winner with his second goal of the year -- a slap shot blast with just over two minutes to play in Pittsburgh's eventual 4-3 win.
By Brian Deutsch on February 18, 2013 1:36 PM
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Don Lucia
The Don Lucia Radio Show continues tonight at the Beacon Public House on campus. If you haven't checked out the new restaurant yet, catch tonight's show live starting at 6 p.m. as Coach Lucia and Wally Shaver discuss all things surrounding Gopher hockey. Tonight's show also airs live on 1500 ESPN.
Tonight, Lucia and Shaver recap an exciting weekend series against the Wisconsin Badgers including Sunday's outdoor game at Soldier Field. They'll also preview the upcoming home series against Minnesota-Duluth and take a look a the WCHA landscape as the playoffs get closer and closer.
Fans can also participate in the show via social media by tweeting their questions using the hash tag #PrideonIce. We'll ask the best questions live on the air.
The Beacon Public House offers great deals each week for the Don Lucia Radio Show including half price entrees and a happy hour special. The Beacon Public House is located in the new Commons Hotel on campus (615 Washington Avenue SE).
By Brian Deutsch on February 17, 2013 2:06 AM
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The University of Minnesota men's hockey team is providing an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at this weekend's WCHA series with Wisconsin, culminating in the OfficeMax Hockey City Classic at Chicago's Soldier Field -- Minnesota's first outdoor game of the modern era. Check out this sneak peek webisode of "Pride on Ice" -- titled Outdoors.
It's finally here -- the Gophers have made it to Chicago for the 2013 Hockey City Classic.
Minnesota arrived Chicago this afternoon following Friday night's 3-2 win over the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, and are ready for the main event: the first-ever Hockey City Classic outdoors at Soldier Field. Sunday's game will be Minnesota's first outdoor contest in the modern era.
The Gophers got to skate around on the rink at Soldier Field Saturday afternoon, and the smiles on players and coaches alike were hard to contain.
"This was the most fun I've had at a practice in a long time," said Nate Condon after the Saturday's work out. The Gophers enjoyed a light skate around as the sun set in Chicago, beginning their practice around 4:45 and finishing under the Soldier Field lights a little before 6 p.m.
"It's definitely a dream come true," said Erik Haula. "It's a huge setting, and it's going to be fun... I can't to go out there tomorrow."
"It was pretty exciting to be out there and see what kind of stadium they have," said Seth Helgeson. "It was a pretty fun time out there."
Check out the photo gallery link above and stay tuned to GopherSports.com for another sneak peek look later tonight at our upcoming webisode series "Pride On Ice." To watch yesterday's teaser, click here.
By Brian Deutsch on February 15, 2013 9:53 PM
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The Gophers collected a 3-2 victory in Madison against the Badgers.
Gophers Grab Game One
The Gophers kicked off the weekend with a big win in Madison
by a score of 3-2. Minnesota now has lost only once in their last six contests
at the Kohl Center against the Badgers. The Gophers pulled themselves to within
three points of league-leading St. Cloud State and even with second-place North
Dakota in the WCHA standings. Both St. Cloud State and North Dakota are idle
this weekend, so the Gophers can make up more ground on Sunday during the
OfficeMax Hockey City Classic at Soldier Field.
Power Play was Key
In a close game, special teams is always going to play a key
role. Minnesota came into the game with a league-best mark of 25.2% on the
power play. The percentage will only get better. All three goals for the Gophers
came on the power play. Sam Warning scored late in the first period to tie the
game at one on a juicy rebound. Nick Bjugstad scored late in the second period
to give the Gophers a 2-1 lead with a blast from the point that clicked off the
point. The Gophers final goal came in the third period when Seth Ambroz battled
for space on top of the crease and slipped the puck past just over the line.
Got the Goaltending
Adam Wilcox has provided the Gophers with excellent
goaltending all season and tonight was no different. On the road, in a hostile
environment, Adam Wilcox made 28 saves. Wilcox flashed his patented glove early
and often tonight. He also made a number of huge saves when Wisconsin pulled
their goalie late in the game to get an extra attacker. The Badgers have now
scored two goals or less in four straight games against the Gophers. Adam
Wilcox was responsible for the last three games.
First Period Shot Barrage
Minnesota registered 20 shots in the first period. The
period was more wide open and featured more chances for both sides than a
typical matchup with the Badgers. The most important Gopher shot of the period
came from Sam Warning. He evened the game with a power-play goal late in the
period, cashing in a rebound from a good Ben Marshall shot. The Gophers had
five shots on the late power play alone. The second and third periods were tighter
checking as the neutral zone became harder to navigate.
Hockey City Classic is Next
This week, Minnesota coaches and players all emphasized the
importance of tonight's game. Now, with the battle in Madison over, everyone can
turn their attention to Sunday's OfficeMax Hockey City Classic. The Gophers
will bus down to Chicago before having a practice on Soldier Field at 4:45 p.m.
Saturday. The Maroon & Gold will play their first outdoor game in the
modern era against the Badgers at 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The game can be
seen on BTN.
Story Written by University of Minnesota Student Intern Josh
Brennock
By Brian Deutsch on February 15, 2013 3:48 PM
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The University of Minnesota men's hockey team is providing an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at this weekend's WCHA series with Wisconsin, culminating in the OfficeMax Hockey City Classic at Chicago's Soldier Field -- Minnesota's first outdoor game of the modern era. Check out this sneak peek webisode of "Pride on Ice" -- titled Wheels Up.
