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This is Michael Russo's 17th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses “Russo’s Rants” to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN (100.3 FM) radio.
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Posts about Gophers game day
Gophers return with same lineup against No. 1 Boston College
Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: December 30, 2012 - 5:43 PM
One night after shutting out Air Force, 4-0, the Gophers will return with the same group of 18 skaters against No. 1 ranked Boston College.
Originally, the plan was to play A.J. Michaelson tonight, but the fourth line of Ryan Reilly, Christian Isackson and Justin Holl was so effective last night, Michaelson will sit.
Here is the line chart for both teams:
Minnesota
Forwards
Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Nate Condon
Sam Warning-Erik Haula-Zach Budish
Tom Serratore-Travis Boyd-Seth Ambroz
Ryan Reilly-Christian Isackson-Justin Holl
Defensemen
Seth Helgeson-Mark Alt
Jake Parenteau-Ben Marshall
Brady Skjei-Nate Schmidt
Goalies
Adam Wilcox
Mike Shibrowski
Ryan Coyne
Boston College
Forwards
Destry Straight-Pat Mullane-Steven Whitney
Kevin Hayes-Bill Arnold-Brendan Silk
Quinn Smith-Patrick Brown-Brooks Dyroff
Cam Spiro-Michael Sit-Danny Linell
Defensemen
Teddy Doherty-Patrick Wey
Michael Matheson-Colin Sullivan
Travis Jeke-Peter McMullen
Goalies
Parker Milner
Brian Billett
Brad Barone
Gophers vs. Air Force line chart; BC's York sets NCAA wins record; NHL/NHLPA CBA update
Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: December 29, 2012 - 6:51 PMUPDATED
Legendary Boston College coach Jerry York, an NCAA head coach since 1972, became the winningest hockey coach in NCAA history this evening. The Eagles beat Alabama-Huntsville 5-2 in the first game of the Mariucci Classic.
It was York's 925th victory, passing Ron Mason for first all-time.
“Coaches coach. We play to win trophies. Despite all the hoopla, it never really entered my mind,” York said. “We always talk in our program, there’s no personal goals. We’re not trying to become Hobey Baker [winners] and All-Americans.
“Golfers, they want to win a Masters. … It’s not what we’re about with the Eagles. I’ve always been about the team. I haven’t really sought individual goals.”
York won 125 games at Clarkson, 342 at Bowling Green and now 458 in 19 seasons at Boston College. He has won five national championships – four at Boston College – and guided the Eagles to 10 Frozen Four berths since 1998.
In 1968, BC coach Bernie Burke handed York, then a graduate assistant, a whistle and said "run practice."
"I kind of liked it," York said. "I never had a whistle, you know?"
How much longer will he coach?
“I feel good, I feel healthy, I enjoy what I do,” York said. “As long as BC feels I’ve done a good job, I’ll keep on moving.”
The Gophers, who have won 12 of 21 Mariucci Classics, play BC, the No. 1 team in the nation and defending national champs, Sunday at 7. Here is the advance from today's paper. York said tonight senior defenseman Patch Alber may miss the rest of this season. The doctor here believes he tore his meniscus playing pregame soccer tonight. Also, leading scorer Johnny Gaudreau is at world juniors and defenseman Isaac MacLeod is likely out with a shoulder injury.
They host Air Force tonight.
Here is the line chart for both teams:
Minnesota
Forwards
Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Nate Condon
Sam Warning-Erik Haula-Zach Budish
Tom Serratore-Travis Boyd-Seth Ambroz
Ryan Reilly-Christian Isackson-Justin Holl
Defensemen
Seth Helgeson-Mark Alt
Jake Parenteau-Ben Marshall
Brady Skjei-Nate Schmidt
Goalies
Adam Wilcox
Mike Shibrowski
Ryan Coyne
Air Force
Forwards
Tony Thomas-Chad Demers-John Kruse
Kyle De Laurell-Stephen Carew-Cole Gunner
Scott Holm-Ben Carey-Casey Kleisinger
Ryan Timar-Jason Fabian-Mitch Torrel
Defensemen
Alex Halloran-Dan Weissenhofer
Eric Artman-Mike McDonald
Trevor Waldoch-Mike Walsh
Goalies
Jason Torf
David Bosner
Paul Moberg
---------------------------------------------------
As for NHL and NHLPA talks toward a new collective bargaining agreement, there were a series of conference calls between the two sides today.
I am told by sources that they went line by line through the NHL proposal from Thursday (see story here) and they will talk again Sunday, likely face to face, with bargaining potentially going to re-start formally Sunday or Monday.
Remember, an agreement must be struck by Jan. 11 in order for training camp to start Jan. 12 and a 48-game season to begin Jan. 19. That means the Wild's home opener could fall on Hockey Day Minnesota.
By the way, one big reason why the league would love to start Jan. 19 is NBC's first telecast is supposed to be set for Jan. 20.
Gophers' big line reunited vs. Minnesota State Mankato; Goalie information
Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: November 2, 2012 - 5:49 PMWith Sam Warning week to week with an injury, Gophers coach Don Lucia has changed up his lines for tonight's front end of a home-and-home with Minnesota State Mankato.
Captain Zach Budish, who played on the second line the first three weekends, has been reunited with last year's linemates, Kyle Rau and Nick Bjugstad.
Third-liner Nate Condon moves up to left wing on the second line, Christian Isackson moves from the first line to the second, defenseman Ben Marshall will play left wing on the third line and defenseman Justin Holl will play right wing on the fourth line. Freshman Ryan Reilly is out.
Defenseman Brady Skjei returns from an injury, and word is that freshman Adam Wilcox was the first off the ice this morning, meaning he is likely tonight's starter.
Gophers (4-1)
Forwards
Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Zach Budish
Nate Condon-Erik Haula-Christian Isackson
Ben Marshall-Travis Boyd-Seth Ambroz
Tom Serratore-A.J. Michaelson-Justin Holl
Defensemen
Jake Parenteau-Nate Schmidt
Mike Reilly-Mark Alt
Seth Helgeson-Brady Skjei
Goalies
Adam Wilcox
Michael Shibrowski
Ryan Coyne
Minnesota State Mankato (2-2-2)
Forwards
Brett Knowles-Eli Zuck-Eriah Hayes
Chase Grant-Matt Leitner-Johnny McInnis
Dylan Margonari-Jean-Paul LaFontaine-Bryce Gervais
Max Gaede-Teddy Blueger-Zach Lehrke
Defensemen
Tyler Elbrecht-Josh Nelson
Zach Palmquist-Nick Buchanan
Brett Stern-Jon Jutzi
Goalies
Phil Cook
Stephon Williams
Gophers pregame: Sam Warning sidelined this afternoon; Line charts
Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: October 28, 2012 - 11:56 AMComing to you live from the spacious Mariucci Arena press box, where I will be probably until 11 or 12 tonight.
Double-header for me. The Gophers host Canisius at 1 p.m., and then tonight at 7, a bunch of locked-out NHLers will play a game to benefit Defending the Blue Line. Come on out.
Left wing Sam Warning, a sophomore forward who plays on the left side of Erik Haula and Zach Budish on the second line, won't play this afternoon with an apparent injury. I probably won't know what's up until we get coach Don Lucia in the postgame.
In the meantime, defenseman Ben Marshall, whom I think played forward in high school, is on the line chart to play wing alongside Haula and Budish. Warning has two assists, four shots and is plus-3 in four games this season.
Jake Parenteau, who took a shot on the knee in Friday's exhibition tie with the Under-18 U.S. Team, is in the lineup, while Kyle Rau and Mark Alt also return from injury. Adam Wilcox is slated to start in goal.
Canisius is 1-3-1, has only scored five goals this season but has only allowed 11. This is the Griffins' first-ever meeting with the Gophers. The Gophers are 9-2-1 all-time against the Atlantic Hockey Association.
Gophers lines:
Forwards
Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Christian Isackson
Ben Marshall-Erik Haula-Zach Budish
Nate Condon-Travis Boyd-Seth Ambroz
Tom Serratore-A.J. Michaelson-Ryan Reilly
Defensemen
Seth Helgeson-Justin Holl
Jake Parenteau-Nate Schmidt
Mike Reilly-Mark Alt
Goaltenders
Adam Wilcox
Michael Shibrowski
Ryan Coyne
Canisius
Forwards
Doug Beck-Tyler Wiseman-Patrick Sullivan
Preston Shupe-Braeden Rigney-Torrey Lindsay
Taylor Law-Mitch McCrank-Kyle Gibbons
Stephen Miller-Carl Larsson-Ryan Bohrer
Defensemen
Logan Roe-Ben Danford
Duncan McKellar-Doug Jessey
Matthew Backhouse-Ben Parker
Goalies
Tony Capobianco
Keegan Asmundson
Gophers look for series sweep over Michigan State
Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: October 13, 2012 - 6:26 PMFor the fifth time in the past six years, the Gophers opened the season with a win, beating Michigan State, 5-1, last night. Five different players scored goals, and Nick Bjugstad, Zach Budish and Mike Reilly had two points apiece.
Mike's brother, Ryan, will make his collegiate debut tonight as the Gophers look for the sweep.
Ryan Reilly will play on the fourth line with Tom Serratore as coach Don Lucia comes back with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. That means A.J. Michaelson and Jake Parenteau will be scratched.
Justin Holl, scratched last night, will play and is listed right now as an extra defenseman, not a forward.
Unless something changed from last night, freshman Adam Wilcox will make his college debut in nets.
The lineup:
Minnesota
Forwards
No. 7 Kyle Rau- 27 Nick Bjugstad- 26 Christian Isackson
11 Sam Warning- 19-Erik Haula- 24 Zach Budish
16 Nate Condon- 22 Travis Boyd- 17 Seth Ambroz
14 Tom Serratore- 9 Ryan Reilly
Defensemen
4 Seth Helgeson- 10 Ben Marshall
5 Mike Reilly- 20 Mark Alt
2 Brady Skjei- 29 Nate Schmidt
12 Justin Holl
Goalies
32 Adam Wilcox
1 Michael Shibrowski
31 Ryan Coyne
Michigan State
Forwards
8 Chris Forfar- 25 Brent Darnell- 21 Anthony Hayes
18 Kevin Walrod- 22 Lee Reimer- 86 Greg Wolfe
92 David Bondra- 20 Michael Ferrantino- 10 Tanner Sorenson
12 Ryan Keller- 19 Matt DeBlouw- 27 Matt Berry
Defensemen
42 Jake Chelios- 7 John Draeger
5 RJ Boyd- 14 Nickolas Gatt
4 Travis Walsh- 23 Matt Grassi
Goalies
37 Will Yanakeff
32 Nathan Phillips
30 Jake Hildebrand
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