Matson's season of promise ends early

The Gophers freshman center tore two knee ligaments in the loss to Michigan and will miss the rest of the season.

By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune

Last update: December 3, 2008 - 7:08 AM

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Taylor Matson found an immediate niche in the Gophers lineup as a freshman this season. He centered the fourth line and killed penalties.

With his speed and shiftiness, he created chances for himself and others even with Minnesota short-handed.

But in the third minute of his 13th game, Matson's promising first season came to abrupt end. He and a Michigan defenseman collided behind the Wolverines net, and Matson's left knee got the worst of it.

He lay on the ice for several minutes before being helped to the training room. Little else went right for the Gophers on Friday night at Mariucci Arena. Minnesota lost 6-3, and two other Gophers, Jay Barriball and Mike Carman, suffered leg injuries, too. The next night, coach Don Lucia revealed the extent of Matson's injury.

An MRI on Saturday had revealed Matson had torn ligaments -- the ACL and MCL -- in his left knee.

"I ran into one of their 'D' straight on," Matson said Tuesday. "My knee was on the ice weird and just twisted as I fell back. Not fun, and I felt it pop."

He will have surgery in a couple of weeks after the swelling in his knee subsides.

In 2006-07, Matson missed all but 13 games of his senior season at Holy Angels because of a high ankle sprain. Thirteen is not his lucky number.

Matson's statistics as a Gopher were modest: one goal on 18 shots on goal. Every game, though, he made a eye-catching play or two.

Several times this season, Lucia praised Matson for the energy with which he played. He will be missed most on the penalty kill. The Gophers (7-2-5) have killed off 80 of their opponents' 86 power plays. That 93 percent success rate is the third best in college hockey.

Matson's goal came on Nov. 8, in the Gophers' 6-2 victory over New Hampshire. He deflected a shot from the point by defenseman David Fischer for Minnesota's fifth goal.

"I felt I was going to start rolling after that," said Matson, who was moved up to the third line for the Michigan game. "It's sad this actually happened a couple weekends after, [but] it's just part of the game."

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