Gophers

Scoring outbursts continue as Gophers whip Badgers

Minnesota got three goals in one period for the third time in the past two games and is closing on fifth-place Wisconsin.

By Roman Augustoviz

February 19, 2011 at 7:31AM

Taylor Matson (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

MADISON, WIS. — Get ahead. Stay ahead. And keep scoring.

For the second game in a row, the Gophers followed that strategy Friday to defeat Wisconsin 5-2 at the Kohl Center before an announced crowd of 14,315.

Minnesota closed within one point of the Badgers for fifth place in the WCHA and tied Colorado College for sixth. A three-goal period -- the Gophers' third the past two games -- was the difference.

Badgers junior defenseman Jake Gardiner tied the score at 1-1 in the first minute of the middle period. Not to fret.

Jacob Cepis, the Gophers' 5-7 mini-might, answered 70 seconds later at 1:42. He withstood a pounding to stand near the net, then took two shots, scoring on his own rebound. Two minutes later, on a power play, junior Taylor Matson made it 3-1 Gophers. And with 1:20 left in the period, Matson scored again. He circled back out front, finding a high corner after misfiring on a 3-on-1 rush seconds before.

"We are not a free-flowing, let's make a bunch of pretty plays [team]," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "That's not our identity right now."

The Gophers won by dominating the special teams battle and relying on their goalie. Kent Patterson made 36 saves and held Wisconsin to one goal until the Badgers scored on a 5-on-3 in the final minute.

The Badgers, who have the WCHA's best power play, were 2-for-10, the Gophers 3-for-6.

Cepis' goal on a four-on-four was huge, too. "We answered their goal early in the second, the very next shift," Lucia said.

Last weekend, the Gophers routed Denver 7-3 on Saturday with three goals in the first and second periods.

"Coming down the stretch," Cepis said, "it's playoff mode for us because we need points. We want to jump up in the standings."

No. 12 Wisconsin (19-11-3, 11-10-2) had a nine-game winning streak at home stopped.

"Obviously we are confident right now," said Matson after his first two-goal game for the Gophers, "and when we are getting our chances, we are scoring on them."

Cepis, Mike Hoeffel and Patrick White had the other goals for the Gophers (13-12-4, 10-10-3).

Sound familiar? Taylor and those three all had one goal last Saturday, too.

"We need our seniors to lead at this time," Lucia said. "We are missing two of our captains with Alex [Kangas] and Jay [Barriball] out [with injuries]. Other guys have to step forward, and they are starting to do that."

• Gardiner, Wisconsin's junior defenseman from Minnetonka, denied reports that he has told the Badgers he will sign with Toronto in the offseason. Gardiner recently was traded to the Maple Leafs.