SERIES PREVIEW: GOPHERS at OHIO STATE

Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

TV/radio: FSN-Plus on Friday and ESPN News on Saturday; 1500-AM both nights; BTN2Go on Friday and WatchESPN on Saturday.

Gophers at a glance: The No. 1 Gophers (23-4-5, 12-2-2-0 Big Ten) can clinch the inaugural Big Ten hockey title this weekend. A Gophers' victory and a Wisconsin loss on Friday would get the job done. If Wisconsin wins, a Gophers' sweep would secure the regular-season title. … They'll have to do it on Ohio State's smaller rink. … Junior forward Travis Boyd had four points last weekend against Penn State and his third line was responsible for both goals in Saturday's 2-1 victory.

Buckeyes at a glance: Ohio State (15-11-4, 5-7-4-3) has been on the verge of a breakout all season. The only conference opponent OSU has yet to beat or tie this season is Minnesota. The Buckeyes will rely heavily on Ryan Dzingel, the Big Ten's leading scorer with 38 points, in hopes of an upset.

JASON GONZALEZ