St. Cloud State and the Gophers split two games last season at Mariucci Arena. The Huskies won the first game 5-2, taking a 5-0 lead late in the second period. The Gophers won the second game 2-1 with Kent Patterson replacing Alex Kangas as the starter in the nets.
Three keys to the No. 1 Gophers beating SCSU:
1) Get the power play going. The Gophers had the nation's No. 1 pp for the first month or so of the season. It has cooled lately as has Erik Haula. No coincidence there. If pp and Haula heat up, the Gophers will be hard to beat.
2) Make sure Jared Festler of St. Cloud State is closely watched. The senior left wing has five goals and four assists against the Gophers in nine games. He has six goals this season.
3) Come out with emotion. The Gophers were flat on Friday of last week and paid for it. They lost 3-1 to Wisconsin in Madison. They need to come out flying, hit a few bodies, put some shots on Huskies freshman goalie Ryan Faragher.
GOPHERS LINES STAY THE SAME
The maroon and gold's lines for Friday:
1st/ Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Zach Budish ... Rau and Bjugstad are battling for the the team in goals. Rau has eight, Bjugey nine.
