The Gophers are as good (talent-wise) as BC and OSU.  They can beat anyone
in the country.  But as we found out last year, they can lose to anybody as
well.  It will all come down to how the defense plays.  Goaltending will
play a huge role in this years' team, but I feel that the defense will
either win it or lose it for them.
 
 
This is the Minnesota '97-98 season in a nutshell.  Sounds like the new
goalie is a winner, and the defense is improved according to reports I've
read.  The Gophers looked terrible at times last year, but also had many
one-goal losses to team like Michigan, Michigan St., and North Dakota.
Needless to say you need to win those games to be a championship-type team,
but at times last year they were better than their record.  Next weekends
games should give an early impression of what to expect.  Thanks to all for
the input.
 
Andrew Christianson
 
 
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