The Gophers have lost in the first-round of the WCHA playoffs the past two season. In 2010, they fell on the road at North Dakota in three games. Last year, they were swept by Alaska Anchorage at Mariucci Arena.
But it's hard to imagine that happening again, even though the Seawolves are back at Mariucci. The Gophers (24-12-1) are the top seed, Alaska Anchorage (9-23-2) the 12th seed.
The Gophers finished the season on a 5-1 run and have the WCHA's best goalie in Kent Patterson, who had a league-best 2.06 goals-against average. UAA's two goalies, Chris Kamal and Rob Gunderson of UAA had the two lowest save percentages in the league and goals-against averages over 3.50.
So if they bring their 'A' game the first two nights of the series, it should be a GOPHERS SWEEP
The other series:
Minnesota State Mankato (12-22-2, 11th seed) at Minnesota Duluth (22-8-6, second): UMD had a lot of fun in the playoffs last season. The Bulldogs, of course, won the NCAA championship and this weekend they can take a step toward a repeat. They are 3-0-1 vs. the Mavericks this season, and 11-1-2 in the past 14 meetings. That's dominance.
The Bulldogs are averaging an NCAA-best 3.67 goals per game and have a lot of firepower. Seniors Jack Connolly and Travis Oleksuk, and sophomore J.T. Brown are all capable of big games.
The Mavericks have won only two WCHA first-round series since joining the conference in 1997-98. That was in 2000 and 2003. Freshmen forwards Jean-Paul Lafontaine and Matt Leitner lead the Mavericks in scoring with 28 points apiece. Lafontaine has 13 goals, Leitner has 10. ... UMD SWEEPS