Pregame: Gophers hoping for better start to home-and-home format

The Gophers are hoping for a better start to the second home-and-home series on their schedule this season.

Their first loss and only loss was at St. Cloud in Game 1 of a split-city series. It'll help that the Gophers-Minnesota Duluth series will open at Mariucci Arena on Friday night. However, the Bulldogs were the last team to beat Minnesota at home and will play for their second straight upset at Mariucci.

Senior captain Kyle Rau hasn't forgotten about the lopsided 6-2 loss last October and is eager to get another shot against the Bulldogs in front of a home crowd.

Senior forward Sam Warning said the Gophers learned from the letdown at St. Cloud State and will be better prepared for the home-and-home format. The series heads north on Saturday, the Gophers' first trip to Duluth since October 2011.

"I think going on the road was a good experience for our team. You always have to be ready," Warning said. "St. cloud is a pretty intense place to play. I think using that going into the Duluth weekend we'll be pretty good because we'll know what to expect, especially against an in-state rival."

My feature this week took a look at how the hockey battles inside Minnesota borders have heated up with the conference shakeups. Also, the Gophers are without another skater entering the weekend. My blog on the loss of Vinni Lettieri.

• HOME-AND-HOME SERIES PREVIEW: NO. 1 GOPHERS vs. NO. 13 BULLDOGS

TV/radio/live stream: FSN Plus; 107.1-FM; BTN2Go.

Gophers at a glance: Gophers at a glance: The Gophers (7-1 overall) are coming off their best complete effort. They scored eight consecutive goals over two games and shut out previously ranked Notre Dame 5-0 in the series opener. Sophomore forward Vinni Lettieri didn't practice all week after being hit in the helmet with a puck during Sunday's 4-2 victory. Coach Don Lucia said Lettieri likely won't play, leaving the Gophers without three quality skaters — veterans Travis Boyd and Brady Skjei are the other two. Role players filled in well against Notre Dame and will be even more key this weekend.

For more on Minnesota-Duluth, read full series preview.

• Gophers Friday lines
Forwards (left wing, center, right wing)
Leon Bristedt, Kyle Rau, Hudson Fasching
Sam Warning, Justin Kloos, Taylor Cammarata
Connor Reilly, Christian Isacson, Seth Ambroz
Robin Hoglund, A.J. Michaelson, Ryan Reilly

Defensemen (left, right)
Mike Reilly, Ryan Collins
Ben Marshall, Michael Brodzinski
Steve Johnson, Jake Bischoff