Ugh!  This was a hard game to sit and watch for a Gopher fan.

The Tigers skated rings around the lifeless Gophers in the first period.
The Gophers didn't get a shot on goal until 9 minutes had passed in the
first.

In the second period, the Gophers skated better, but still were
out-skated, out-manuevered and out-hustled by the hard working Tiger
team.  Gopher Troy Riddle was playing with a separated shoulder and got
the biggest hit of the night for the Gophers.  Justin Johnson in goal
was outstanding, but had no help from the D, and that resulted in the
success of the Tigers.

The Tigers are the best team we have seen this year, they have great
wheels and forecheck like their lives depend on it.

THe injury-depleted Gophers staged a rally of sorts in the final two
periods, but ran out of gas at the end of the third, when the Tigers
scored two goals in the last 35 seconds.

The Tigers are a like well oiled machine... they've got incredible
wheels on them!
Hopefully the rematch this evening will get a better effort from the
Gophers!

-Carol
GO GO Gophers!!!
2002 National Champions!!!