Schroeder says North Dakota series may be turning point

Jordan Schroeder said the Gophers' efforts against North Dakota -- a tie and a victory -- may have turned the season around for Minnesota.

"[The Sioux] were No. 4 in the country," Schroeder said. "We are 7-1-1 in the last nine games. We got a lot of confidence in our team and I think it is showing out there.

"We are starting to be a complete team. We are just playing good hockey out there and it's fun. ... We've got some great chemistry between me and Zach [Budish] and [Jacob] Cepis there [on the first line]. So hopefully we can keep it going.

"I am definitely a pass-first [player], but I got to change my game a little bit around, too, and start shooting the puck a little more. But [Cepis] can definitely bury the puck and Budish is getting the puck to us and using his big size out there. So we complement each other very well."

Schroeder was asked if the 6-3, 220-pound Budish also plays the protector role on the top line. "I guess you can say that," Schroeder said. "If anyone came and messed with us, he'd be in there.

"We have three different guys, three different roles."

Schroeder said Saturday's game got thrilling late in the second period when the Gophers scored three goals in just over three minutes to take a 4-0 lead over the Sioux.

Cepis got the fourth goal on a pass by Schroeder to the edge of the crease.

CEPIS SURPRISES SELF

Cepis, a 5-8, 165-pound junior, said he did not expect to get off to such a strong start for the Gophers.

"i was hoping to get in there and play a key role real quick," said Cepis, who has four goals in six games since becoming eligible. "But obviously I didn't expect this. I had not played a game in a full year. I didn't expect to be getting a ton of goals.

"I expected to be doing pretty good, but I thought it would take a while. I've been blessed to do pretty good off the start, so I am pretty happy. The team is doing well so I'm pretty happy."

He likes being on Schroeder's line. "The two small guys and the monster guy," Cepis said, "which works out because Budish does really well with us. He gets us the puck. He is big, he adds a lot of size.

"Us three, we just know where to go, we know where [the other] guy is going to be and where the pucks are going to be."

Cepis was asked if he is a shoot-first player, unlike Schroeder who is pass-first. "I'll gladly shoot [the puck] ever time he give it to me if I am open," Cepis said. "We haven't really got to play together that much but, since we have, we just know -- whoever is open to shoot, you shoot it. If not, we find the open guy. Me and Jordan find each other and find Budish. It just worked, it clicked."

PAPA CHIRP QUOTES

* On being decked by a big North Dakota defenseman after scoring on Saturday: "I hit my head. [Coach Lucia] didn't want me to go back out there [after that]. I probably could have. I was a little dazed. I didn't even see him when he hit me. I don't think I had the puck to be honest."

* On being in Gophers' record book already for the quickest two goals, Cepis scored seven seconds after Tony Lucia's goal: "It felt pretty good. I didn't know it was a record to be honest. ... It was phenomenal. It was one of those plays right off the draw."

* On getting three points in North Dakota series: "I am more happy that our team did well. It was a big growing weekend for us. We came in here and we wanted to get a lot of point. One point off a sweep is pretty good against a very good team."

* On when his father, Ed, a longtime hockey coach who lives in Parma, Ohio, will be back to watch another Gophers series: "Whenever he can get out again. He is busy. But, if he is not here, he is always watching. I am sure I will get a call after the game on something I did wrong. He never lets me off the hook. But I am sure he will be out here [again]."

NO SCHOLARSHIP OFFER

A knowledgeable person said on Wednesday that goalie Joel Vienneau has not been offered a scholarship by Minnesota, contradicting what someone close to Vienneau said the day before.