GAME PREVIEW: NO. 5 BOSTON COLLEGE AT NO. 1 GOPHERS
7:10 p.m. Friday and 1:10 p.m. Sunday at Mariucci Arena
TV/radio: Big Ten Network on Friday and Fox Sports North on Sunday; 1500-AM both games
Gophers at a glance: The No. 1 ranking has led to nothing but defeat this hockey season. In Week 1, No. 1 UMass-Lowell lost. In Week 2, No. 1 Miami (Ohio) lost. This week the No. 1 Gophers (4-0) will be put to test in the top spot. They are ranked No. 1 in the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. The freshmen will get their first look at a Boston College lineup with few, if any, holes. And the defense and goaltender Adam Wilcox will be challenged with the task of slowing a BC offense that scored 16 goals in its past two games. "They're going to be skilled, fast, strong," Gophers defenseman Brady Skjei said. "We're going to need to play our game and use our speed, and I think we'll be able to play tight with them the whole weekend. "
Eagles at a glance: Boston College (2-1) has its sights on another upset this weekend. The Eagles made a statement with a 9-2 victory over then-No. 2 Wisconsin last Friday. The Gophers are the Eagles' third Big Ten opponent and fourth ranked opponent in four games. They lost at Michigan 3-1 in their season opener. Boston College is 6-1-3 in its past 10 meetings with the Gophers but lost last season's game 8-1. The historic series between elite programs dates back to 1954. Boston College features one of the nation's top players in Johnny Gaudreau. He leads the NCAA in points per game (2.33) and is coming off back-to-back three-point performances. The Eagles are 1-0 in the inaugural Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge.
JASON GONZALEZ
