Patterson confident in backup; future 'U' goalie recently traded in USHL

Senior goalie Kent Patterson has played every minute this season for the Gophers.

But Patterson said his backup, sophomore Mike Shibrowski, is ready if needed. "Shibby is great," Patterson said. "He works hard every day, comes every day to the rink with a great attitude and he does really well in practice."

Patterson said Shibrowski will be in the mix for the starting goalie spot next season whether he plays or not this season.

Also expected to join the Gophers for the 2012-13 season is Adam Wilcox, who signed in November of 2010. Wilcox, the cousin of former UMD all-america goalie Alex Stalock, plays for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL.

Wilcox was traded from Green Bay to Tri-City on Nov. 21 because of Ryan McKay's unexpected return to the Gamblers this season. McKay, a Miami recruit, is back in Green Bay for a third year. He led all USHL goalies in goals-against average and save percentage last season.

"This was a very tough trade for us." Gamblers coach Derek Lalonde said at the time of the trade. "The fact that Ryan McKay came back to us late in the summer meant we were going to have to move a goaltender. Adam is a very good goalie and a better person and we appreciated his time in Green Bay."

Wilcox is 8-4-0 this season -- 1-2 with the Storm -- and has a 2.61 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. He ranks eighth in the USHL in both those categories.

WARNING OFF TO SLOW START

Freshman winger Sam Warning, asked about the biggest challenge in college hockey: "It would have to be everybody is strong. Every team is good in college hockey."

Warning on being the Gophers' first player from Missouri; "Hockey in St. Louis has been getting bigger and bigger each year. All the ex-NHL players are starting to coach there. They have kids there, so they are helping out."

Warning is from Chesterfield, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis. He has sat two of the past three games. He has three goals and three assists but has not had a point in 10 games.

"My role is ... to play fast with Erik Haula and Jake Hansen. Do whatever I can do to help that line.I just try to play fast at all times and play physical."

STRANGE BUT TRUE

Colorado College beat Denver 4-3 Friday on Alexander Krushelnyski's penalty shot with 1:14 left in overtime at the World Arena.

Krushelnyski, who was tripped on a breakaway by DU defenseman David Makowski, slid a one-handed backhander past freshman goaltender Johu Olkinuora, according to a CC news release.

"Winks [junior forward Scott Winkler] and I were talking on the bench before overtime," the sophomore left winger said. "He told me that one of us was going to be the hero. The last penalty shot I had was when I was in the eighth grade. I scored on that one, too."

It was Krushelnyski's second goal of the game. Wild recruit Jason Zucker had two goals and an assist for DU. He has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points.

WORLD JUNIORS UPDATE

The players at the pre-World Juniors camp for the U.S. team will get a chance to play against two, maybe three international teams. There will be 29 candidates there in Camrose, Alberta. The U.S. team will play Russia on Dec. 20 and Switzerland on Dec. 21.

The roster will be cut to 22 on Dec. 22 and then the U.S. will play Slovakia on Dec. 23. The World Junior Championships start Dec. 26 in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta.

* Nick Bjugstad of the Gophers is one of eight players who was on the U.S. team last year. It went home from Buffalo, N.Y., with bronze medals.

FINAL FIVE TICKETS FOR SALE

They cost $160 and $75 and can be purchased at:

* Xcel Energy Center Box Office