Gophers men's hockey preview

Last update: November 20, 2008 - 9:06 PM

GOPHERS AT DENVER

When: 8:30 tonight and 8 p.m. Saturday at Magness Arena

Records: Gophers, 6-0-4, 5-0-3 WCHA; Denver, 6-4-1, 4-3-1

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

Quick fact: Denver was the only team the Gophers did not beat last season. The Pioneers were 4-0-1 and, in their last of five meetings, beat the Gophers 2-1 for the WCHA Final Five title.

Gophers at a glance: Minnesota is off to its best start in seven years. In 2001-02, the Gophers began the season 11-0-2 and won the first of back-to-back NCAA titles. ... Junior captain Ryan Stoa is being mentioned as a Hobey Baker Award candidate; he has nine goals and seven assists ... Sophomore goalie Alex Kangas has not given up more than three goals, and had his first career shutout on Sunday when Minnesota beat Michigan Tech 3-0. ... The Gophers' power play, dormant so often last season, has scored 15 goals, an average of 1.5 per game.

Pioneers at a glance: St. Cloud State swept Denver 4-2 and 2-1 last weekend, dropping the Pioneers from No. 4 to 10 in the national polls. ... "Denver might be the most talented team in our league," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "Even though they lost a couple, they have really good team speed. And the defensive corps is good. ... You just have to go out there and find a way to get some points." ... Sophomore forward Tyler Bozak (5-8-13) tormented the Gophers last season. He scored seven goals, three shorthanded, and had two assists vs. the Gophers. ... Forward Luke Salazar (7-5--12) is second among WCHA freshmen in scoring, trailing only Minnesota's Jordan Schroeder (4-10--14). ... Denver has held the Gophers to one goal or none in six of the past seven meetings. ... The Pioneers are 6-1-1 at home this season.

Roman Augustoviz

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