Read Saturday's exhibition game story.

The Gophers looked a little sluggish for most of two periods in Saturday night's 5-0 victory over Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. That's to be expected, though, in any team's first game of the season.

Captain Kyle Rau delivered the leadership you'd expect when the rest of team needs a boost. He scored two goals in the second period, one with nine seconds left in the period. The Gophers returned to the ice in the third period with more energy and built the type of lead you'd expect against the usual preseason Canadian opponent with goals from Christian Isackson and Travis Boyd.

"He's our captain. That's what he's going to do. But we had different lines contributing and I think they all had some good scoring opportunities during the course of the game," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "... It was a good tuneup."

Freshman Leon Bristedt got extra time with different line combinations to make up for future missed ice time. Bristedt will miss the opening weekend fulfilling an NCAA penalty associated with his participation with his junior hockey team in Sweden. Rau thought Bristedt looked sharp in his debut.

Sophomore forward Hudson Fasching was banged up in the second period and sat out the rest of the game as a precaution. Lucia said Fasching could have continued in the game if it was necessary. He should be fine for next week's season opener.

Postgame video

Gophers coach Don Lucia:

Gophers senior forward Kyle Rau:

Gophers senior forward Travis Boyd: