Just got word Kent Patterson, the 6-1 sophomore goalie from Plymouth, will start in the nets for the Gophers tonight.
Patterson was 0-2-1 last season with a 2.34 goals-against average. He didn't play much early in the season but relieved Alex Kangas in both games at North Dakota. The Sioux swept that series 6-3 and 6-1 on Jan. 9-10, Patterson gave up one of those goals in under two periods of action.
Gophers coach Don Lucia admitted at Gophers media day earlier this month that he made a mistake by not playing Patterson more the first half of the season. He said he would give him more of a chance this season.
Still, this move is a bit surprising. Kangas played well in the Gophers' 4-0 loss on Friday, making 39 saves.
Obviously, this game will be a good test for Patterson. He had a rough finish to his freshman year. He gave up a soft overtime goal to Michigan Tech in the last regular-season series of the 2008-09 season.
