The power play is a strange beast. Sometimes, no matter what a team does, it can't score with a man advantage, i.e. UAA. At other times, the puck seems to find openings all the time, i.e., the Gophers.
Special teams were the main difference on Friday in Anchorage, where the Gophers stomped on the Seawolves 4-0, scoring four times on six power-play opportunties. UAA was 0-for-2 with an extra man. For the season, the Seawolves are 1-for-21 on the pp, a lowly 4.8 percent. That puts them last in the WCHA in that category.
The Gophers scored four power-play goals in a split with Minnesota State Mankato and now have eight in their last three games. They are 29.7 percent on e pp, first in the WCHA. Next is conference leader Denver at 21.2 percent.
It took the Gophers five seconds, 1:15, :44 and 2:11 (on a major penalty) to score once they got a man advantage.
Sophomore left winger Kyle Rau, an adept sniper, got the two quick power play goals. He is on the Gophers' top power-play unit as is center Nick Bjugstad, who also had a goal.
The fourth goal was scored by defenseman Ben Marshall.
GOALIE UPDATE
Coach Don Lucia continues to lean on freshman goalie Adam Wicox, who could have read a book and sat in a rocking chair, snacking on milk and cookies in the opener of this series in the 49th state. he faced two shots in the first 20 minutes, five in the second period, seven in the third when he had a comfortable four-goal cushion.
