Live End of 3rd and Overtime at Colorado Springs 4-4 December 8, 2012

4-4 final here at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. Once again the University of Minnesota Gophers failed to get the job done on the road against a WCHA opponent. They had a 3 goal lead entering the 3rd period and the Colorado College Tigers fought back and earned the tie. We mentioned in the 2nd period intermission that the Tigers were starting to find their opportunities and they really capitalized on them in the 3rd period. The Colorado College offense was led by Rylan Schwartz and Alexander Krushelnyski, both players had 2 goals a piece.

The Gophers seemed to run out of gas towards the end of the game and not sure if it was the oxygen or just a grueling game, but the players seemed to be dragging even in overtime. Jake Parenteau came close to a game winner in the closing seconds but his shot missed wide and was the best chance either team had at getting the W.

3 Stars of the game:

1. Rylan Schwartz, CC

2. Alexander Krushelyski, CC

3. Nate Schmidt, UM

That wraps things up here for Minnesota in their WCHA visits to Colorado Springs and it will be bittersweet for Head Coach Don Lucia as this is where he got his big break into the WCHA. This program definitely would not be what it was if he had not made it a powerhouse in the Mid 90’s and it was an integral part of him getting the opportunity to coach at Minnesota.

We will have more to come including a complete wrap up and interviews here from Colorado Springs. Final Score Gophers 4 – Tigers 4.

Live: End of 2nd Period at Colorado Springs December 8, 2012

At the end of 40 minutes it’s the University of Minnesota – 4 Colorado College – 1. With each team notching a goal in the 2nd period the Tigers are still 3 goals behind the Gophers. CC definitely came out firing with Wilcox having to make a breakaway save in the first minute of the period. It was Rylan Schwartz who was able to crack the armor of Wilcox with a powerplay goal to the upper glove side. Mike Reilly however answered for Minnesota with his own shot to the upper glove side on a 2 on 1 rush. The Tigers are starting to push a little bit as the Gophers found themselves with several odd man scoring rushes with Bjugstad firing a shot wide with an open net late in the period.

Scoring Summary:

8:30 PP CC – Rylan Schwartz from Eamonn McDermott and Scott Winkler

15:41 UM – Mike Reilly Unassisted.

Colorado College definitely made the changes they needed to but still couldn’t repel the offense of Minnesota. Both teams will want to try and stay out of the penalty box as things are starting to get more physical. Each team took 3 penalties last period, so there should still be opportunities for the Tigers to get back into this game. Each team has had it’s qualms with the officiating as well with the zebras getting quite a few boos from the crowd as the got on the ice for the 3rd period.

The Tigers have 20 minutes to get themselves back into this game or they will be swept at home for the first time this season. Here we go with the 3rd period…

Live: End of 1st Period at Colorado Springs December 8, 2012

At the end of the first period it’s University of Minnesota – 3 Colorado College – 0. It’s been all Minnesota for the first 20 minutes here at the World Arena as the Gophers have looked comfortably in control of the game. The shots are tied at 11 a piece, but I think the difference so far is Junior goaltender Josh Thorimbert is leaving too many holes open and the shooters have too much time.

The scoring summary:

4:39 UM – Tom Serratore from Nate Condon and Seth Ambroz

5:13 UM – Kyle Rau from Nate Schmidt and Zach Budish

14:32 UM – Seth Ambroz  from Nate Schmidt and Travis Boyd

Protection around the net has been the biggest difference maker so far for the first 20 minutes, and this game will quickly get out of hand if the CC defense doesn’t step up. It looks like the Gophers are the team that is used to playing at this level of altitude as they are winning every race to the loose pucks. Colorado will be looking to turn things around for the next two period

s. 

3-0 as the teams get ready for the 2nd frame of action here in Colorado Springs.

Live from World Arena: University of Minnesota vs Colorado College December 8, 2012

Colorado Springs, Co –

Saturday night hockey here from the world arena as we prepare for game 2 of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs the Colorado College Tigers. The Tigers will be looking to bounce back from last nights 4-2 defeat at the hands of Don Lucia’s Gopher team. The game was tied 2-2 heading into the 3rd before hometown Colorado Springs native Tom Serratore put in the winner. 

Minnesota will look to keep the momentum going with WCHA Rookie of the Month goaltender Adam Wilcox between the pipes for the second night in a row. The Gophers will look for the 2nd and 3rd lines to turn in strong performances again, particularly from Sam Warning who netted goals 1 and 2 of the season last night. The Gophers penalty kill was particularly effective last night turning in a 4-4 performance. 

Colorado College will be looking to turn things around as they now have only 1 win in their last 7 games dating back to November 16th. They will be making a change in the goaltender position tonight to John Thormibert from Saskatoon after getting a strong game from Senior Joe Howe (Plymouth, MN) the night before. 

Another local star to keep an eye on tonight will be Archie Skalbeck from Hopkins High School in Hopkins, MN. He is playing at the left wing position on the top line and is a big part of the Tiger offense. We also can expect strong play from Michael Morin from Breck High School in Golden Valley. 

The two teams play a wide open style hockey on this olympic sized sheet and it should be another close game this evening as the Gophers play perhaps their last game at the World Arena as part of the WCHA. It will be an emotional one for Coach Don Lucia who began his legacy at this school. We’ll be reporting to you all night from 6,000 feet above sea level with slightly less oxygen as the puck is ready to drop. 

It’s a split for Gophers/Huskies October 20, 2012

Minnesota coach Don Lucia joined the 600-win club on Saturday but Mel Pearson’s Michigan Tech Huskies earned a well-deserved a split with the Gophers at home this weekend. (Photo: WCHA.com)

3-2 is the final from Saturday night’s game at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena, as the Minnesota Gophers and Michigan Tech Huskies split the series to open up WCHA play for the season. Gopher sophomore forward Seth Ambroz scored twice, including the game winner late in the 3rd period. It was a gritty effort for Minnesota (3-1-0, 1-1-0 WCHA) who relied on a solid effort from freshman goaltender Adam Wilcox to earn the win Saturday night.

Michigan Tech (2-2-0, 1-1-0 WCHA) showed how far their program has come by playing the Gophers very close and will be a solid team in the WCHA this upcoming season. Great goaltending led by Pheonix Copley kept the Huskies in the game and he will be a big reason for the Huskies having a great season. The Huskies will also benefit from the play of Sophomore Blake Pietila who had a great chance with two minutes to go, but was denied by Wilcox. His play will be crucial to the Huskies success this season.

LIVE: End of 2nd period at Michigan Tech October 20, 2012

With the late goal from Ryan Furne, his first of the season, the Huskies tie up the game 2-2 heading into the final period. A great way for Michigan Tech to end the period, who are fortunate to be tied up despite being outshot 22-11 so far in the game. Great goaltending from Copley has let them hang around and continue to skate with Minnesota. 

The story of the game thus far is seen in the struggles from the Gophers powerplay unit. 0-5 at this point in the game and not building anything close to consistent pressure — Michigan Tech even managing to get some odd-man rushes while a man down. With 5 opportunities, the Gophers have only managed 3 shots in total. That is just simply not going to get the job done. 

Both of Michigan Tech’s goals tonight have come from directly in front of the night, which is where they will continue to apply pressure on the Minnesota D and get a couple more past Wilcox. Erik Haula and Nick Bjugsatd are both playing great games for Minnesota, as Bjugsatd is 7-2 on face-offs tonight.

Scoring Summary:

1. UMN – Ambroz from Rau and Marshall at 17:45 of the 1st

2. MTU – C. Pietila from Nielsen and Stebner at 6:18 of the 2nd

3. UMN – Haula from Mike Reilly at 11:34 of the 2nd

4. MTU – Furne from Petan at 19:03 of the 2nd

Things are knotted-up in Houghton heading into the final frame as both teams are looking to control the puck more in the 3rd period. Should be an exciting conclusion. 

LIVE! End of the 1st period in Houghton October 20, 2012

At the end of the first period Minnesota leads 1-0 over the home team Michigan Tech. Both teams have been creating chances, but Minnesota was more dominant on the offensive side of the puck and were rewarded for it with a goal from Sophomore Seth Ambroz (New Prague, Minn.). The Gophers were knocking on the doorstep before the chance with Ben Marshall getting quite a few shots in from the blue line. He credited with an assist in the goal along side Kyle Rau. 

The Gophers defense has looked a little more comfortable tonight; however, Michigan Tech still made quite a few breakaway opportunities with quick skating through the neutral zone. But it was Freshman goaltender Adam Wilcox matching the Huskies and turning them away at every chance so far after 20 minutes. Look for him to have to continue to make big saves if the game stays at this pace. Goaltender Phoenix Copley also played great for Michigan Tech with a brilliant door step save against Nick Bjugstad. 

With Gopher captain Zach Budish heading to the sin bin twice, the Gophers are setting a physical tone and the Huskies are matching it so far. Expect the hits to keep on coming and the physical play to amp up as this game progresses. More to come from this great game… 

Players coming onto the ice for UMN vs MTU October 20, 2012

The teams coming onto the ice for the first time.

For starters, Don Lucia coming out with his first line:

Rau – Bjugsatd, Isackson

Marshall – Alt

Adam Wilcox gets the start.

For Michigan Tech:

Blake Pietila – Tanner Kero – Milos Gordic

Bradley Stebner – Carl Nielsen

Phoenix Copley in net again.

Here we go for saturday night!

Live from Houghton, it’s Saturday night hockey! October 20, 2012

Welcome back to the great state of Michigan as we settle into the cozy MacInnes Arena for game 2 between the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and the University of Michigan Tech Huskies. Last night saw the Huskies jump out to an early lead, which they never gave up, as they skated to a 5-2 victory to the delight of the home fans. Tonight the Gophers will be looking to bounce back and show why they are were given the number one ranking in the country.

We will have all the action for you live from Houghton, Mich. as we begin the second half of this doubleheader weekend with the Gophers in their road Maroon uniforms and the Huskies sporting the gold uniforms tonight.