Gopher Hockey

Last weekend the Gophers opened the series with a tie for the fourth consecutive time. I really thought they would break the streak of mediocrity but I was wrong. The game really had my attention though. I was almost paying as much attention to the hockey game as usually do when playing drinking cards. Who's turn is it anyways? They started off strong with two quick, unanswered goals in the first period. My prediction was looking good. However, the Huskies managed to bore the Gophers into giving up two lazy goals in the third period and managed to hold on for the tie. The second game of the series started out much the same as the previous game. The Gophers went up 2-0 by the end of the first. The difference this time was they managed to stave off any defensive lapses that would result in a goal. The Gopher goal tending was again dominant as Alex Kangas posted his first shutout of the year by stopping 38 shots.

This weekend the Gophers head to Denver to play a very good Pioneers team. They have been tough to beat at home with only one loss and one tie while hosting at Magnus Arena. I expect much of the same from the Gophers this weekend. Why not go for 5 opening series game ties? They managed to make it #1 in the nation this week with this approach so why stop now. This isn't something to brag about though. The big keys for the weekend are point production from Ryan Stoa and super frosh Jordan Schroeder as well as capitalizing on the power play. The new rules have allowed officials to call the slightest infractions and it is tough to watch. Every little thing results in penalty. The only bonus to this is that there are more penalties and the Gophers have been fairly successful on the power play so far. The trouble is that almost half off their total goals come by the power play. Let's just hope for lots of stupid penalties by Denver.

I predict they will tie tonight and then lose tomorrow. I know, I'm all debby downer on this one today for some reason. I hope I'm wrong. I'm pretty sure I will be. On a side note I unfortunately won't catch more than a few minutes of the game as I'll be tits up on tippy cup and balls deep in beer pong. You might ask if I'm going to a college kegger. I'm not. I'm going to a 30th birthday party for some sad sap and we are all in denial about the fact that we finished college several years ago.

PS. I realize that I should provide a disclaimer at the beginning of my posts indicating how ridiculously boring these are. My bad. I miss the days of Snakes posts about Stu Bickel's crank. I know how The Todd just can't get enough of Stu Bickel's crank. Maybe I'll come up with something more entertaining next time. In the meantime I'll just use some filler. Enjoy.