GOPHERS MEN'S HOCKEY PREVIEW
Road series at Ohio State, 5:30 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. Saturday
TV, radio: BTN, 103.5-FM, 1130-AM both nights
. . .
Randy Johnson's preview:
Opening faceoff: Minnesota (8-5-3, 4-4-2, 13 points Big Ten) is coming off a series split at Penn State and sits in fourth place in the Big Ten, six points behind first-place Michigan State. The 10th-ranked Gophers went 4-1-3 in November. "All we're looking at is two games to get to the break,'' Gophers coach Bob Motzko said. "We've just got to empty the tank. … We've been doing a lot of good things in the last month, month and a half, but we've got to finish.'' … Ohio State (5-7-3, 0-7-1, 2 points Big Ten) sits last in the Big Ten after being swept at Wisconsin last week and has lost six consecutive conference games.
Watch him: Gophers junior forward Rhett Pitlick (eight goals, nine assists, 17 points) is on a six-game point streak and earned Big Ten Third Star of the Week honors after collecting five points at Penn State.
Forecast: Motzko is seeking more consistency from his team, and he should get it this weekend against a Buckeyes team that is averaging 1.1 goals per game in Big Ten play. Look for G Justen Close (8-5-3, 2.59 goals-against average, .917 save percentage) to have a big series as the Gophers post their first sweep since the season-opening series against St. Thomas.
. . .
Sign up here to get Gophers sports news delivered to your inbox for free.
Reliever Ryne Stanek acquired by Mets from Mariners for minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas
Singing, ceremonies and straw hats: Olympics opening ceremony in Tahiti centers Polynesian culture
Latest tests show Seine water quality was substandard when Paris mayor took a dip
![Vikings guard Dalton Risner, right, runs through drills with Doug Nester (72) during practice at TCO Performance Center in Eagan on Friday.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/RYZVIHV57NFAXCWPKOIV2PAWY4.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)