Evening from an empty Mariucci Arena, where in 90 minutes, the Gophers will face off for the first time this season against the rival Wisconsin Badgers.
The Gophers are 6-2-1, 3-2-1 in the WCHA; the Badgers are 1-4-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the WCHA. They've had two bye weeks already.
The Gophers are 155-86-20 all-time vs. the Badgers, 90-27-7 at home. The Badgers, who saw assistant coach Bill Butters unexpectedly resign Nov. 5, have split or won its last five season series with the Gophers. The defensive-minded Badgers play a 1-1-3, so Don Lucia, who is looking for more five-on-five scoring, says, "we're going to see three guys skating backwards all night long."
Jake Parenteau is scratched for the Gophers. Mike Shibrowski and Sam Warning are hurt. Leading Badgers scorer Mark Zengerle is out.
Mikael Granlund may be taking in his first-ever college game tonight. The 2010 first-round pick from the Wild is buddies with Erik Haula and wants to see him play in person.
Gophers lineup
FORWARDS
Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Christian Isackson
Nate Condon-Erik Haula-Zach Budish
Ryan Reilly-Travis Boyd-Seth Ambroz
Tom Serratore-A.J. Michaelson-Justin Holl
DEFENSEMEN
Seth Helgeson-Ben Marshall
Brady Skjei-Nate Schmidt
Mike Reilly-Mark Alt
GOALIES
Adam Wilcox
Ryan Coyne
Badgers lineup
FORWARDS
Joseph LaBate-Jefferson Dahl-Tyler Barnes
Morgan Zulinick-Derek Lee-Michael Mersch
Ryan Little-Brendan Woods-Keegan Meuer
Brad Navin-Matt Paape-Sean Little
DEFENSEMEN
Kevin Schulze-John Ramage
Chase Drake-Joe Faust
Jake McCabe-Frankie Simonelli
GOALIES
Joel Rumpel
Landon Peterson