U men gameday

Last update: March 13, 2008 - 8:21 PM

GOPHERS AT MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO

WCHA first-round playoff series (best-of-three)

When: 7:07 p.m. today, Saturday and, if necessary, Sunday

TV: All games on FSN

Radio: 950-AM, 100.7-FM, 106.5-FM today and Saturday; 830-AM Sunday

Gophers at a glance: Minnesota (15-14-9 overall) is playing a first-round WCHA series on the road for only the third time since 1977. The Gophers lost to Minnesota Duluth in three games in 1998 and, in coach Don Lucia's first season, swept host Colorado College in 2000. The key number for the Gophers, who finished seventh in the WCHA with a 9-12-7 record, is three. When they score three or more goals, the Gophers are 13-1-3. Their power play has scored in six consecutive games and is operating at a 28.6 percent clip during that stretch. Junior center Blake Wheeler, the team's leading scorer, had two goals and three points for the first time in one game last Friday against Minnesota Duluth. Wheeler's right winger, Jay Barriball, who missed last weekend's games because of a sprained ankle, is expected back.

Mavericks at a glance: Minnesota State Mankato (18-14-4) had a seven-game winning streak in late January and early February but finished the regular season on a 2-4 skid. The Mavericks tied for fourth in the WCHA with a 12-12-4 record. Nine of the 16 forwards or defensemen on last season's team improved their scoring totals this season. Sophomore forward Jason Wiley made the biggest jump, from four to 18 points. Trevor Bruess, another sophomore forward, has eight goals and 20 assists for a team-high 28 points, 14 more than a year ago. Bruess is a plus-21 player. Junior forward Mick Berge has 19 goals, including four game-winners. The Mavericks have given up 17 goals in the third period, only two more than Wisconsin, which has given up the fewest in the WCHA in that category.

ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ

Series by the numbers

Gophers Mavericks

Goals per game 2.53 2.83

Opponents' goals per /game 2.50 2.56

Power play pct. 14.1 13.0

Penalty kill pct. 87.6 81.2

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