Headline: Third-period heroics propel U
Publish Date: 11/28/1994
 
Matthew Cross
 
Staff Reporter
 
Any questions the Gophers had regarding their ability to play with
the nation's top teams were answered this weekend at the College
Hockey Showcase in St. Paul.
 
After a 1-2-1 record in its last four games, Minnesota returned to
form by beating sixth-ranked Michigan State 3-2 on Friday and top
five-  ranked Michigan 4-3 on Saturday.
 
And it did it with its trademark style: overcoming a deficit in the
third period. The victories, however, did not come without cost.
 
That the Gophers trailed Michigan 3-1 Saturday entering the third
period is commonplace. But injuries forced the Gophers into an even
more  difficult situation. Nick Checco came out in the first period
with a slight shoulder separation, and Justin McHugh was sidelined in
the second period with a moderate left knee sprain.
 
Despite the grim circumstances, Gophers Dan Trebil, Ryan Kraft and
Brian Bonin each scored goals to erase the deficit.
 
Trebil scored first on an outlet pass from Dan Woog behind the
offensive net. The junior blasted the puck into the open half of the
net to start the comeback.
 
Kraft's game-tying goal helped lift some of the frustration he built
up throughout the weekend. The rookie forward had countless wide-open
scoring chances that were denied by a fellow rookie -- Michigan's
goaltender Marty Turco, whose glove saves were nothing short of
incredible.
 
But Kraft finally scored on a faceoff from the left circle when he
tapped the puck behind Michigan center John Madden, dodged him and
slapped the puck past Turco in a motion that took only a couple
seconds.
 
``I haven't seen a goal like that in 10 years,'' said Michigan coach
Red Berenson, in his 11th season with the Wolverines after three
seasons with the NHL's St. Louis Blues.
 
Kraft's game-tying goal shifted the momentum. Bonin scored on a
wrap-around shot 4 1/2 minutes later that he snuck past Turco.
 
The Gophers produced another come-from-behind victory on Friday night
against Michigan State. Down 2-1 going into the third period, McHugh
scored twice to win the game.
 
The senior's first third-period goal was his second of the game
and his 100th career point. The game-winning score completed the hat
trick.
 
One of the few consistencies in the Gophers' games was their
third-period play.
 
``When you think you're flying, you're walking,'' Coach Woog said.
``And when you think you're walking, you're flying. You just never
know with this team. I really can't explain it.''
 
Bonin's best explanation is the team's third-period strategy.
Instead of playing the traditional dump-and-chase game, they like to
control the puck and set up scoring opportunities.
 
``There's not a lot that can be said about (scoring in the third
period),'' Bonin said. ``I don't know why they aren't going in the
first and second periods, but they are in the third. When they start
going in, it's just like, `here we go again.'''
 
Minnesota entered the weekend wanting strong starts. And despite
improving their early-game intensity, the Gophers emerged from the
first period of both games with 1-1 ties.
 
Both Michigan and Michigan State <%-3>are considerably bigger
than the Gophers, but Minnesota held their own on the forecheck and
along the boards.
 
Adjusting to the smaller ice surface (the St. Paul Civic Center is
200 feet by 85 feet, and Mariucci Arena is 200 feet by 100 feet) was
another concern for the Gophers players, who rely on speed and
quickness.
 
Minnesota also took considerably less penalties than normal.
 
They had a total of 18 minutes in penalties this weekend, including
only six penalty minutes against Michigan State.
 
Last weekend against Michigan Tech, Minnesota totalled 44 penalty
minutes.
 
But as the Gophers have illustrated many times this season, a
third-period comeback can counter a game's worth of miscues.
 
Gophers notes: The Gophers recently announced four recruits were
signed to national letters of intent:
 
Wing Mike Anderson of Bloomington, Minn.; defenseman Billy Kohn of
Roseville; St. Louis Park forward Erik Rasmussen; and Warroad forward
Wyatt Smith have committed to play for the Gophers next season.
 
The Gophers have also received a verbal commitment from Anoka High
School senior  Reggie Berg, who is currently playing his second year
in the junior leagues in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
 
 
Pam Sweeney                             Go Gophers!!!
[log in to unmask]       1993 & 1994 WCHA Playoff Champions
                                   1994 NC$$ PHinal PHour
Go White Bear Lake Bears!!!              Ski-U-Mah!!!