I was sure Gophers coach Don Lucia would play junior goalie Alex Kangas in the nets on Saturday after a 4-0 loss to North Dakota the night before.
I was wrong. Didn't get a chance to talk to the coach after the game because of a tight deadline, but the more I thought about him switching goalies, the more it made sense to me.
Lucia had said during media day, Oct. 1, he would play backup goalie Kent Patterson more this season. A year ago, Patterson played in only seven games and made just one start.
On Saturday, after a dismal opener, Lucia shook up his lineup, dropping two front line players -- Jordan Schroeder and Jay Barriball -- to the third line. The message was clear: No one is untouchable and you need to earn ice time.
So it was a bit odd when Schroeder's line started the game. Mixed message there.
In goal, Alex Kangas actually played pretty well on Friday. He had 39 saves. And one or two of the goals he gave up bounced off bodies in front. Lucia said Kangas gave his team a chance.
But switching to Patterson made sense, too, even though the game was at the Ralph. Patterson had relieved Kangas in both North Dakota games last season. As a freshman, Patterson played an entire third period at the Ralph and part of a third and gave up just one goal.
As hostile of an environment as it is, what better place to test Patterson, get his juices flowing.
