Haven't seen the score yet this morning, but it may have already been posted.
Anyway, the St Cloud State Huskies rallied to tie the Gophers 4-4 in their
season opener at the new Mariucci Arena.
 
The Gophers came out strong in the first period, but fizzled in the second two
periods :-( The crowd, which was announced at just over 9,200...was a major
exageration! What they are announcing for attendance is tickets sold and all
the "others" in the building, like the teams, concession stand folks and all
the security folks. It was more like 8,800. Quite a few of the seats in the
student sections were empty (Halloween parties?) Disappointing.
 
There was also a miracle that happened...we could HEAR THE ANNOUNCER!!! I
found out after the game that what they did to remedy the PA system, was to
set the speakers at "half-power". IT WORKED! So now we have a totally great
building. Now we just have to get the team back on track and start winning
some games.
 
Two members of Team USA were introduced before the game Darby Hendrickson, and
Craig Johnson who were both Gophers last year. Too bad they couldn't have
laced 'em up last night...we were sorely in need of their help.
 
Callinan looked good in goal. But in the second and third periods the Gophers
couldn't pass worth a hoot and kept falling down, as if they were losing the
edges on their skates. The ice was fine. St Cloud did a fine job of keeping
the Gophers bottled up in the neutral zone during the last two periods also.
 
The crowd found it difficult to stay in the game and Goldy Gopher was busy
running around dressed up as Bat-Gopher (I think) and handing out candy. It
WAS weird for alot of people to be sitting in different seats with different
people around you. I heard comments around my area, "I liked it better sitting
lower", and "I miss those folks we used to sit next to," At least I had a
familiar face sitting directly in front of me, Jack Skarda who is former
Gopher Randy Skarda's uncle. Pam who was two sections over had former NHL'er
Bobby Smith in the row in front of her!
 
We picked out a new place to meet in-between periods since we are all so
scattered about.
 
Coach Woog has his work cut out for him this week. However it can ONLY get
better! ;-)
 
-Carol
 
Carol S. White                            BITNET: c-whit@uminn1
University of Minnesota        internet:[log in to unmask]
Office of the Registrar
(612) 625-8517                                    GO Gophers!!!