Rau leads Division I hockey with seven game-winners

Sophomore left wing Kyle Rau of the Gophers now has seven game-winning goals after scoring at 13:18 of overtime on Friday in a 2-1 victory over Bemidji State in the first round of the WCHA playoffs at Mariucci.

Five players have six game-winners. Another eight, including Nick Bjugstad of the Gophers have five.

When Rau scores at least a point, the Gophers are 22-1-1 this season. He is on a four-game point streak.

Rau, who played on two Class 2A state champions at Eden Prairie, also had an assist against the Beavers. So he now has 15 goals and 38 points.

The Gophers had played five overtime games before -- all five minutes of extra time -- and tied in each of those games.

WILCOX NEAR RECORD

Adam Wilcox had a light night on Friday. The freshman goalie for the Gophers only faces 18 shots and stopped all but one.

The victory improved Wilcox's record to 24-6-5. He needs one more win to tie Kellen Briggs' record for most victories by a freshman goalie.

Bemidji State did not have a power play because the Gophers never committed a penalty. The Gophers were 0-for-3 on the power play with one shot. They had a man-advantage for four minutes.

Sophomore goalie Andrew Walsh of the Beavers had 49 saves. The Gophers shots by period were: 14 14 13 10. Walsh was named the third star of the game, behind Rau and defenseman Ben Marshall, who scored the Gophers' first goal.

Walsh was also helped by his teammates, who blocked 27 shots. Matt Prapavessis had nine blocks alone.