This game was everything it was billed to be. CC came into a packed
Marriucci arena and won 4 - 3. Straight off the opening face off, Minnesota
was playing like a team possessed. The Gophers had many nice rushes on
the CC net, putting up 17 shots on goal to CC's 6 in the opening period.
The gophs buried one of their numerous chances, chiping in a shot in
front of CC's Bach.
 
The second period was all CC, however. The Tigers put on one of their
normal offensive flurries, scoring 3 goals in a matter of minutes.
Down 3 - 1 the gophers scored late in the  2nd to at least make it a game.
 
CC scored in the 3rd to go up 4-2 but MN countered to draw it as close as
they'd get at 4-3. MN mounted a nice offensive push in the final minutes
of the final period. With about a minute left, the gophs pulled their
goalie and took a man advantage. The night-long poor officiating reached
its high point, however, when with about a min. left one of the refs
called Scott Bell for cross checking. This effectively squashed the MN
rally. Bell got right in the ref's face arguing the penalty and was given
a 10 min misconduct for voicing his apparently negative opinions.
 
CC played very well last night, no question. They showed how they can
score in bunches. MN played well too, but had no luck. The gophs
frequently had chances in front of the net but rarely capitalized. I just
don't know why the gophs can't bury it when they get the chances.
 
With last night's loss, MN sinks into the middle of the WCHA. It looks
like coach Woog's nine year run of finishing 2nd or higher in the WCHA is
going to end. Now all I care about is staying in the top 5 and ensuring a
home playoff game.
 
Reed