gophers gameday

SERIES PREVIEW: BEMIDJI STATE AT NO. 1 GOPHERS

Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mariucci Arena.

TV/radio/live stream: Big Ten Network on Friday and FSN Plus on Saturday; 1500-AM both nights; BTN2Go both nights.

Gophers at a glance: The Gophers (2-0-0) are anxious to get into a rhythm. An odd early season schedule has college hockey's No. 1 team feeling like the season is starting over this week. The lack of games will mean more changes in line combinations throughout the series. Swedish freshman forward Leon Bristedt will make his collegiate debut on Friday and could be paired on the first line with Kyle Rau and Hudson Fasching. The Gophers will unveil their 2014 Big Ten regular-season championship banner during Friday's pregame ceremonies. Saturday's game will include a ceremony honoring Mike Reilly, a first team All-America defenseman last season.

Beavers at a glance: Bemidji State (1-1-0) is also coming off a bye week and a strong start to its season. The Beavers upset then-No. 2 North Dakota 5-1 in their season opener in Grand Forks, N.D., and then lost 2-1 the following night in Bemidji. A loaded early season schedule includes four ranked teams. Bemidji State is 1-16-1 all-time against the Gophers, but its only win was at Mariucci Arena. Coach Don Lucia expects the Beavers to be quicker and deeper up front, which includes a line of triplets — the Fitzgerald brothers.

TV note: Friday's game will be the first of 27 Big Ten Network broadcasts this season. The BTN opener will include a super slow-motion camera for special replays. The network will also have pregame locker room access and interviews with Lucia and state hockey legend Lou Nanne during intermissions.

JASON GONZALEZ