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The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Golden Gophers will move out of WCHA play this weekend as they play host to the Ohio State University Buckeyes at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Golden Gophers played their first weekend in WCHA play last weekend in Colorado Springs, Colorado against the Colorado College Tigers and were rudely swept by the host Tigers bringing their season record back to .500 following the season opening IceBreaker Championship. The Golden Gophers now sit at 2-2-0 overall and 0-2-0 in the WCHA entering this weekends non-conference match up.
The Ohio State University Buckeyes will be making their first trip outside of the state of Ohio this weekend when they travel to Minneapolis. The Buckeyes are coming off a weekend in which they were swept by the second ranked team in the nation, the Miami (of Ohio) University RedHawks. Similarly to the Golden Gophers prior to getting swept in their first weekend of conference play the Buckeyes won their home season opening tournament by defeating Mercyhurst and Wisconsin in the Lefty McFadden College Hockey Invitational. The Buckeyes are 2-2-0 overall and 0-2-0 in the CCHA entering this weekends games.

Last Weekend:
Minnesota-Twin Cities:
- Friday: Lost to Colorado College 3 to 1
- Saturday: Lost to Colorado College 2 to 1 in overtime
Ohio State:
- Friday: Lost to Miami 5 to 1
- Saturday: Lost to Miami 5 to 1

INCH Power Rankings:
Minnesota-Twin Cities: 12
Ohio State: NR

Any thoughts or predictions on this weekends Golden Gophers non-conference match up? Will the Golden Gophers get back on track or will it look like the Ohio State - Minnesota-Twin Cities football match up from earlier this year?

These games are actually on the 25-26..

nikebauer_07 wrote:These games are actually on the 25-26..

Yeah, just corrected that as you were writing, weird. Thanks though!

These teams are so similar...SPLIT

I'm going to predict a Minnesota-Twin Cities sweep in this one. Playing in Mariucci is going to have the Golden Gophers all amped up, but they will still be two fairly close games. Plus, WCHA > CCHA!

Golden Gophers Sweep.

END OF 1ST PERIOD - THURSDAY

Minnesota-Twin Cities - 2
Ohio State - 0

gophers do not look good. a few good plays here and there. They cannot pass the puck like they used to. I understand it is the beginning of the year, but I am really dissapointed.

rbk24 wrote:gophers do not look good. a few good plays here and there. They cannot pass the puck like they used to. I understand it is the beginning of the year, but I am really dissapointed.

The Gophers are absolutely dominating this game. Shots were 16-2 in the first.

Early in 2nd Period

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - 3
The Ohio State University - 0

END OF 2ND PERIOD

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - 3
The Ohio State University - 1

THURSDAY NIGHT FINAL

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - 3
The Ohio State University - 1

Game Two of the Series Friday night from Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 7:05 PM. Televised on FSN North.

rbk24 wrote:gophers do not look good. a few good plays here and there. They cannot pass the puck like they used to. I understand it is the beginning of the year, but I am really dissapointed.

What game were you watching? Minnesota was in control of this game the minute the puck was dropped, big game by Frazee and Wheeler, I like the D combo of Fairchild and Bickel.. they really move the puck around well for Freshmen

I understand they dominated this game, just don't look like the gophers that i've seen in the past few years. They can't pass nearly as well as they could the past few years.

It was only the 5th game of the year, can't expect them to be in National Championship form.. first game for the freshmen at home, once they get the real gametime experience playing as a team they will be just fine

So is tonight Kangas' debut? This seems like the right moment (home game, first game of the series in hand, etc.).

I really expect Kangas to play very well.

Kangas will be making his collegiate debut tonight against The Ohio State.

I've read about Alex Kangas on these "boreds" for the last year or so but had never seen him play. After tonight I can see what people were talking about. WOW. Great debut. Gophers win 2-1.

Kangas was amazing in nets.. big reason why the Goph's were able to hang on to win and get the sweep.. looks like Frazee will have some competition in nets if Kangas can keep up that kind of play!