Freshman Zach Budish of Edina hopes that the Gophers three wins in their last four games is a sign of things to come with him playing a key part.

"Obviously, not playing last year was tough for me," the 6-3, 220-pound Budish said. "Jumping from high school to college is a big adjustment in itself. I felt like I played well my first couple of games, but I am contributing more offensively now.

"I'd just like to continue to do that and do what I can to help the team win."

His first goal came in the Gophers' fifth game, his three-point game came in their eighth game.

"Getting shut out three of the first four games was unexpected, to say the least," Budish said. "Then one of our top offensive producers goes down in Jay Barriball. Guys need to step up. And I feel like guys have been able to do that. But we are only eight games into the year, so we have a long ways to go."

Budish said he has not talked to Barriball since he had season-ending knee surgery last Friday but plans to. He wants to share what he learned during his rehabiliation from knee surgery. He was hurt playing football.

A player has to "realize it is not going to come overnight," Budish said. "It takes large amount of time to get back to where you were. But at the same time, you will be stronger than you were before the injury. Just keep a positive attitude in you rehab and work hard and everything will be fine."

THE DON'S OPINIONS

How is the 2 for 35 power play doing? "We are making strides. We didn't have a lot of chances last weekend. Saturday I think we only have two chances. We are getting better. We are getting scoring chances and you measure first off scoring chances and then results.

"The penalty kill has been much better, We have given up one [power play] goal in four games, so that is heading in the right direction. We have some things that are going in the right direction for us, now we just have to continue that."

On having only six healthy D-men? "The encouraging thing for us is the way Brian [Schack] played [on Saturday]."

(Schack is a senior defenseman who had not played in the team's first seven games,)

"He came in and the guys were so happy for him. He had a tough week last week. hHs grandfather had passed away and they had the funeral. He missed a day of practice for that. He is such a great team guy. He is so well-liked."

(And now Schack has two career goals.)