Another A.J. in spotlight at U -- this time on ice

You've heard about A.J. Barker, maybe even read is 4,000- word complaint about the way he was mistreated at the U.

He is a wide receiver in football. Well, there is another A.J. on campus.

He is freshman forward A.J. Michaelson and he probably had his best weekend on the ice in Vermont. Michaelson had an assist -- his first career point -- on the Gophers' first goal of a 5-1 victory over the Catamounts on Friday. Afterward, Gophers coach Don Lucia mentioned how well Michaelson played.

On Saturday, A.J., the hockey player, scored the game-winning goal as the U beat Vermont again 3-1. He was named the No. 1 star in that game. ... Serratore was the third star.

He had four shots on goal, playing left wing on Travis Boyd's line, the third line. Only Nick Bjugstad had more shots on net, five, for the Gophers. ... On Friday, A.J. had only one shot on goal but was a plus-2.

His goal came only 70 seconds after Tom Serratore, the fourth line center, scored in the second period. Serratore's goal made it 1-0 Gophers, Michaelson's 2-0.

The 5-11, 200-pound Michaelson played for Waterloo of the USHL last season and had 27 points, counting playoffs. He played high school hockey at Apple Valley.

* Junior defenseman Mark Alt was a plus-two on Saturday for the Gophers. He and his fellow blue-liners continue to make life relatively easy for freshman goalie Adam Wilcox. He only face 27 shots on Saturday, stopping eight in the first period, and nine in both the second and third. ... Wilcox's 1.46 goals-against average is the fourth lowest in the nation.

* The Gophers power-play is in a mini-slump. It was 0-for-4 on Saturday with six shots on goal.

* Serratore centered two defensemen on Saturday. Justin Holl was his left wing, Jack Parenteau his right. So the Gophers had eight actual defensemen in the game. ... Serratore's goal was his third of the season. Nate Condon got the third Gophers' goal, a late empty-netter.