The Minnesota Gophers remain ranked No. 1 in both the USCHO poll and the USA Today poll after sweeping Bemidji State at home two weeks ago and splitting the series with St. Cloud State this past weekend.
BEMIDJI STATE
Two weeks ago, the Gophers defeated Bemidji State 5-2 on Friday night, which was quickly followed by a 5-3 win on Saturday night. Unlike Friday night, Minnesota had to rally back in the third period to get the win. Bemidji State is a more developed and experienced team than last season and was able to put up a strong fight against the Gophers.
ST. CLOUD STATE
Minnesota split the series against No. 7 St. Cloud State. After a tough 1-4 loss on Friday night, they were able to bounce back in overtime to win 4-3 after Justin Kloos (@jkloos15) scored his first career hattrick. The Huskies were able to put up the challenge that the Gophers needed in order to improve their own game and become more disciplined with the puck and their penalties.
BRODZINSKI BROTHERS
A story line that has come up in the past two years has been the Brodzinski brothers. Gophers' Michael Brodzinski (@Mbrodzinski20) and Huskies' Jonny Brodzinski (@Brodzyy) have been playing hockey together since they could skate. However, the past two years have put the brothers on opposing sides. The Gophers and the Huskies have met four times thus far in the course of the Brodzinski brothers college careers. Even though the Gophers have taken three of those four games, it has never diminished the brothers' relationship.
MINNESOTA RIVALRIES
After weekends against both Bemidji State and St. Cloud State, it brings about the rivalries that the state of Minnesota holds. In Minnesota alone there are five D1 college hockey teams. From the Minnesota Gophers to the St. Cloud State Huskies, Bemidji State Beavers, Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, and the Mankato State Mavericks, Minnesota provides almost endless college hockey entertainment.
Minnesota has their own tournament that brings all of the rivalries together under one roof at the Xcel Energy Center. Tickets for the North Star College Cup go on sale Monday, November 10th and they can be purchased here.
INJURIES
Brady Skjei (@BradySkjei) was originally assessed a day-to-day injury. However, he is now expected to be out a few weeks. Minnesota is hoping to have him back for the road trip following Thanksgiving against Boston College and Northeastern. Travis Boyd (@Tboyd93) is expected to miss a month with a lower-body injury. This will provide the opportunity for the freshmen and other players to step up and fill the gaps that Skjei and Boyd leave in the lineup.
NOTRE DAME
Minnesota faces off against No. 14/15 Notre Dame at home this weekend. This is Notre Dame's first road trip of the season. The games will be on Friday night and Sunday afternoon. The Gophers will have to play more disciplined than they have the past couple of weekends in order to come out on top against the Irish.
LUCIA X 2
A story line that both Coach Lucia and youngest son Mario Lucia (@MLucia2293) believe has played itself out is the matchup of the father and son against each other. Coach Lucia played his college hockey for Notre Dame and Mario decided to go that path as well, instead of following after older brother Tony Lucia and attending Minnesota. Mario has created a name for himself at Notre Dame, in fact he was just named Hockey East Player of the Month for October. He is ranked No. 2 in the nation for goals scored this season with 8, just one behind Bowling Green's Kevin Dufour.
MINNESOTA-NOTRE DAME CONNECTIONS
Although the Minnesota and Notre Dame matchup brings about the Lucia family connection, there are many other connections that most aren't aware of. For example, Mikey Reilly (@mreilly93) and Mario Lucia played together in the 2013 World Junior Championships where they went on to win the gold medal for the United States. The Reilly brothers (Mikey, Connor (@CReilly81), and Ryan (@rreilly08)) all played together with Lucia for a season in the BCHL for the Penticton Vees. Taylor Cammarata (@Cammy12Scores), Justin Kloos, and Notre Dame's Vinnie Hinostroza (@Hinostroza12) played together for the Waterloo Black Hawks. Cammarata and Hinostroza got especially close that they started calling each other "big bro" and "little bro."
They even look alike if you ask me. Along with those connections, there are seven Irish that call Minnesota home. With the series being on Friday night and Sunday afternoon, Saturday will provide a good opportunity for some of the players to travel home if it works out.
Good luck to the Gopher Men's Hockey team as they face the Notre Dame Irish this weekend. They play Friday night at 7:00pm and Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm. Friday night's game will be broadcasted (watch) on BTN and Sunday afternoon's game will be on ESPNU. John Buccigross and Barry Melrose will be in town to call Sunday's game. Both games will also be streamed (listen) on 1500 ESPN.
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