For $4, Gophers fans could have bought an official game program Saturday night. And guess who was on the cover? Nick Bjugstad.
Good timing there. No. 27 -- that's the number his uncle Scott wore when he played at the U -- had a hat trick to lead the Gophers to a 5-0 victory over St. Cloud State. On the cover his eyes are staring straight ahead. He appears to be skating in a game or practice.
The 6-5, 211 Bjugstad still has room to fill out, but Zach Budish calls him probably the strongest player on the team. And he has skills.
His 13 goals this season are as many as then-senior Mike Hoeffel had last season to lead the team. He is tied for first in scoring nationally with 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points, and is second in goals behind Austin Smith of Colgate who has 15, including four short-handed.
The two other players with 21 points are T.J. Tynan of Notre Dame (4-17--21) and Jack Connolly of Minnesota Duluth (8-13--21).
* Defenseman Nate Schmidt, who has assists on Bjugstad's two power-play goals on Saturday, is second nationally in points among blue-liners with 16 on one goal and and NCAA-best 15 assists for D-men.
* Freshman Kyle Rau continues to lead rookies in goals with nine and points with 17.
* Senior goalie Kent Patterson's six shutouts are three more than any goalie has this season. One of three goalies with three goose eggs is UMD's Kenny Reiter.
