MARIUCCI CLASSIC
What/where: 22nd annual holiday men's hockey tournament with the No. 4-ranked Gophers (11-3-3), No. 1 Boston College (11-2-1), Air Force (5-7-4) and Alabama-Huntsville (3-14-1), Mariucci Arena.
When: Saturday -- Boston College vs. Alabama-Huntsville, 4 p.m.; Gophers vs. Air Force, 7 p.m. Sunday -- Air Force vs. Alabama-Huntsville, 4 p.m.; Gophers vs. Boston College, 7 p.m.
TV/radio: Gophers games on FSN, 1500-AM.
Gophers at a glance: The Gophers rank 10th in the nation offensively (3.35 goals a game), seventh defensively (2.00 goals against), 10th on the power play (21.25 percent) and eighth on the penalty kill (89.5 percent). C Erik Haula has a 12-game points streak and is tied for 12th in the nation with 22 points. G Adam Wilcox (10-2-3) is seventh in the country with a 1.78 goals-against average.
Boston College at a glance: Coach Jerry York's next victory will be his 925th, setting an NCAA record for wins by a Division I hockey coach. The Eagles rank fifth in the nation offensively (3.57 goals a game) and second on the power play (27.42 percent). Leading scorer Johnny Gaudreau is at world juniors. G Parker Milner has started every game.
Air Force at a glance: Coached by Frank Serratore, whose son Tom is a Gophers forward, the Falcons have 11 Minnesotans, including leading scorer Cole Gunner (Richfield), who has 14 points, including seven in the past four games. G Jason Torf has a 2.59 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. F Stephen Carew (Eden Prairie) has goals in three games in a row.
Alabama-Huntsville at a glance: The Chargers began the season 0-9-1, but they have won three of their past eight. They rank 58th out of 59 Division I teams in offense (1.44 goals a game) and 57th in defense (4.00 goals allowed). F Kyle Lysaght leads UAH in scoring with eight points.
MICHAEL RUSSO
