Good evening from 3M Arena at Mariucci, where at 7 p.m. the Gophers will face Michigan in the opener of a Big Ten series (FSN Plus on TV). Minnesota (13-10-1, 4-7-1-1 Big Ten) is coming off a split against then-No. 1 St. Cloud State, while the Wolverines (8-10-2, 3-7-2-1) lost a pair of 2-1 games to Notre Dame, which took over as the new No. 1 team in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll. The Gophers are tied for fourth in the conference, while Michigan is sixth, so both are looking to move up, and this weekend's series provides an opportunity.
Gophers sophomore Mat Robson, who had a 34-save shutout of St. Cloud State on Sunday, will start in goal. It will mark the first start in a series opener for Robson, who earned Big Ten First Star of the Week honors on Tuesday. Robson started the series finales against Ohio State, Army and St. Cloud State, and junior Eric Schierhorn played in those series openers.
Here are the line combinations and defense pairings for tonight:
GOPHERS
Brent Gates Jr.-Mike Szmatula-Tyler Nanne
Leon Bristedt-Tyler Sheehy-Brannon McManus
Rem Pitlick-Casey Mittelstadt-Scott Reedy
Ryan Norman-Darian Romanko-Jack Ramsey
Ryan Lindgren-Jack Sadek
Steve Johnson-Jack Glover
Clayton Phillips-Ryan Zuhlsdorf
Mat Robson in goal.
MICHIGAN
Dexter Dancs-Cooper Marody-Tony Calderone
Brendan Warren-Jake Slaker-Josh Norris
James Sanchez-Adam Winborg-Dakota Raabe
Michael Pastujov-Nick Pastujov-Jack Becker
Quinn Hughes-Joseph Cecconi
Sam Piazza-Luke Martin
Griffin Luce-Nicholas Boka
Hayden Lavinge in goal.