Random thoughts on a Sunday night:

It's fun seeing where Kent Patterson stands in the national stats:

First, with five shutouts

Second, in winning percentage with 9-1 record, .900.

Third, minutes played with 601 miutes, 49 seconds

Third, with a save percentage of .942

Fourth, with a 1.60 goals-against average

Patterson, a senior, was named the national player of the month in October and has twice shared the WCHA's defensive player of the week award.

* The Gophers are averaging an NCAA-best 4.8 goals per game, giving up 1.60 goals, third best ... their 3.20 scoring margin is the nation's best

* Minnnesota's power play is at 28.3 percent, its penalty kill at 88.5 percent, that's fourth and tied for 12th, respectively

* Kyle Rau has four game-winning goals; nobody else in Division I hockey has more than three

* One team remains without a loss, Merrimack is 7-0-1; the Gophers are one of seven teams with one loss.

* Anders Lee, a sophomore from Edina, leads Notre Dame and the nation in goals with 10.

* UMD is 4-0-2 since getting swept. The Bulldogs are a pretty good team.

* North Dakota is a lot better than its 1-5-0 record in the WCHA, 3-6-1 would suggest. Rocco Grimaldi, from a one-time look, appears to be a difference-maker. Once the Figthing Sioux get him completely healthy, he will help a lot. He can score. Had one of Fighting Sioux's two goals in 3-2 loss on Saturday.