Series preview: Gophers hockey at Alaska Anchorage

November 9, 2012 at 3:18AM

SERIES PREVIEW: GOPHERS VS. ALASKA ANCHORAGE

10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage

TV/radio: No TV; 1500-AM both nights.

Records: No. 2 Gophers 5-2, (2-2 WCHA); UAA 2-2-2 (0-1-1).

Gophers at a glance: Coming off a split with Minnesota State Mankato, the Gophers look to rebound after what coach Don Lucia called "disjointed" play the past three weeks. The Gophers are 54-19-7 all-time against the team Lucia once spent two seasons with as an assistant (1985-87). Lucia's 67 victories vs. the Seawolves as a coach at three colleges are his most against any team. C Erik Haula leads the team with eight points and is tied with C Nick Bjugstad for the lead in goals with four. LW Sam Warning (undisclosed injury) didn't get through practice Tuesday and is out. Lucia may go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Seawolves at a glance: Alaska Anchorage, off since a 0-1-1 trip to North Dakota on Oct. 26-27, lost four games to the Gophers last season, including two in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Scott Allen, Alex Gellert and Matt Bailey lead the team in scoring with five points apiece, while goalies Rob Gunderson and Chris Kamal each have played three games. The Seawolves are tied for first in the nation with four shorthanded goals but are 1-for-19 on the power play. F Andrew Pickering retired this week because of multiple concussions.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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