PREVIEW: NO. 2 GOPHERS VS. U.S. UNDER-18 NATIONAL TEAM
7 p.m. Friday, Mariucci Arena
TV/radio: None.
Records: Gophers 3-1; Under-18s 4-6-1
Gophers at a glance: Six days after Don Lucia won his 600th game, the Gophers play an exhibition game before hosting Canisius on Sunday (1 p.m.). Travis Boyd and Nate Condon combined for seven points last weekend in a split at Michigan Tech, while Seth Ambroz ended a 12-game drought with two goals in Saturday's win. Nick Bjugstad and Erik Haula lead the team with three goals apiece. Mike Shibrowski, pulled last Friday, will start in goal Friday. F Kyle Rau, D Brady Skjei and D Mark Alt, all nursing injuries, won't play.
Under-18 team at a glance: The squad will also play at St. Thomas on Saturday. North Branch's Hunter Miska, the son of well-known goalie maskmaker Todd Miska, will start that game. Thatcher Demko, who made 31 saves to shut out Oswego on Saturday, will start vs. the Gophers. Seven Minnesotans are expected to play, including Apple Valley's Hudson Fasching (eight points), who will sign a letter of intent with the Gophers next month, and Minnetonka's Vinni Lettieri, an injury replacement who has also committed to the Gophers.
MICHAEL RUSSO
