Gophers men's hockey preview

Last update: October 30, 2008 - 10:25 PM

GOPHERS MEN'S HOCKEY PREVIEW

MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO (3-1-0, 1-1-0) VS. GOPHERS (3-0-1, 3-0-1)

When: 7:07 tonight at Mariucci Arena, 7:37 p.m. Saturday at Xcel Energy Center

TV, radio: FSN both nights; 830-AM tonight, 950-AM Saturday

Quick fact: The Gophers are 27-3-5 all-time against the Mavericks, but last March all three games between these teams in the first round of the WCHA playoffs went into overtime.

Gophers at a glance: Last weekend Minnesota rallied from two goals back to tie Wisconsin 2-2 the first night, then beat the Badgers 5-2 the second night behind Ryan Stoa's two goals. Goalie Alex Kangas has started 25 games in a row. He has not given up more than two goals in a game this season. David Fischer and Cade Fairchild, the U's top defensive pairing, have not been on the ice for an opponent's goal in their three games together. The Gophers' penalty kill has held teams to two goals in 30 chances, almost the exact reverse of the team's power play, which is 3-for-30.

Mavericks at a glance: Minnesota State Mankato was idle last weekend, so the team could look forward to facing the Gophers, who ended the Mavericks' season in March. "People talked about [our playoff series with them] all summer long," Mavericks coach Troy Jutting said on his radio show this week. "I heard a lot about it. It would have been great if we could have scored one more goal. But in terms of what college hockey is all about, I'm not sure it gets a lot better." Jutting has six of his top seven scorers back, all but one defenseman and goalie Mike Zacharias, the team MVP. He has a 2.25 goals-against average. Junior forward Zach Harrison had three shorthanded goals in a 5-1 victory over North Dakota on Oct. 17. How rare is that? The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto asked for his stick.

ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ

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