Friday: UMD 5, MN 3
Saturday: MN 5, UMD 1
 
Minnesota is 2-2-0, what's wrong?!?  They're young and very much miss the
leadership that Brian LaFleur and Mike Crowley offered on defense.  So
they will take their lumps early.  So far that means losing on Friday
nights and coming back with a vengeance on Saturdays.
 
The Friday loss was typical of Minnesota losses in the past.  The team
loses its intensity and doesn't keep the feet moving.  Suddenly they give
up a few goals and have to dig themselves out of a hole.  Except for a
four-minute span during the second period, the Gophers played well enough
to win.  The young defense is making mistakes, but they can be overcome
with some time.  The team also needs to convert scoring chances into
goals.  Minnesota had plenty but only found the back of the net three
times.
 
Saturday's game saw coach Woog move some players to different lines to
stir things up.  And it must've worked.  The Gophers jumped out to a 2-0
lead after the first period.  The defense played like a group of veterans,
not letting the Bulldogs muster much offense.  When UMD got their act
together, the closest they could get was 2-1.  Soon they found themselves
back down 3-1, 4-1, and finally 5-1.
 
I will also add that Steve DeBus finally played up to his potential
Saturday night, making the needed key save and not giving up the big
rebounds or soft goals.
 
Gopher junior forward Wyatt Smith had a four goal weekend and senior
co-captain Ryan Kraft added one goal and three assists.
 
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