Jacob Cepis was a bit disappointed. He wanted the Gophers to sweep the Badgers this weekend, of course.
They nearly did. He got his second goal in two games on Friday in Minnesota's 5-2 victory, then had an assist and a goal on Saturday in the Gophers' 3-3 tie.
Last year I thought he was the Gophers' MVP the second half ot the season -- he was ineligible the first half, sitting out a year after a transfer from Bowling Green.
He gave the team a spark last season and is now doing it again. He has three goals in three games and the Gophers have gone 2-0-1 in that stretch, getting themselves in a position to challenge Wisconsin for fifth place in the WCHA.
His goal on Saturday was his 10th of the season and came on a backhander on a breakaway early in the third period. He beat goalie Brett Bennett with a shot through his legs.
"I am a big beliver in the five-hole," Cepis said, shortly before going to look for an uncle up from Milwaukee to watch him play.
Cepis said the Gophers coaches have been on him a lot lately, telling him not to be so passive. To be a pest out on the ice. Not to wait for the game to come to him.
He has listened. And with senior captain Jay Barriball, a 12-goal scorer out with a knee injury, the Gophers have needed someone else to stir things up.
