Oh where are the Gophers going to find scorers? That was the concern before the season began.
Maybe their fans don't have to worry so much. Erik Haula, the Flying Finn, is off to a fantastic start. The sophomore center has five goals in three games -- and 19 shots. He had seven shots and two goals on Friday as the Gophers edged defending NCAA champion UMD 5-4 in overtime.
His second goal late in the third period tied the score 4-all.
Freshman Kyle Rau looks like he will score, too. He had two power play goals against the Bulldogs, so he has three in three games. Nice pace.
And the power play, which struggled against Sacred Heart looked better against the 'Dogs. It was three for six and had 19 shots, of course, one of those power plays was 5 minutes, 31 seconds long because of a five-minute major on UMD.
Kent Patterson, the Gophers goalie, perhaps summed it up best after Friday's win.
People are underestimating us. Maybe so but it's a long seson.
What can be disputed is the Gophers are playing some entertaining hockey. Can't wait for the Gophers-Bulldogs rematch on Saturday. I predicted a split. UMD will be fired up.
