MISSING IN ACTION:
The Gophers are still without Craig Johnson and Trent Klatt, both of whom are
with the U.S. junior national team at the world tournament in Saskatchewan.
Without those two and freshman defenseman Chris McAlpine, who was suspended
for disciplinary reasons, the Gophers lost 3-2 to Boston College in the first
round of last week's Great Western Freeze-Out at Inglewood, Calif.
The Gophers aren't the only team playing at less than full strength, however.
North Dakota is without WCHA scoring leader Greg Johnson, who is playing in
Canada in the world junior tournament. His loss would hurt at any time, but it
is particularly devastating because the Sioux might have lost skilled senior
center Neil Eisenhut for the rest of the season. He suffered a knee ligament
injury against Northern Michigan, and his return is doubtful, pending
Thursday's decision about surgery.
The two losses to Northern Michigan might have knocked the Sioux, a pre-season
favorite, out of contention. With seven losses, the Sioux, who play Bowling
Green tonight in the Badger Showdown at Milwaukee, are tied with Wisconsin for
third place, althought the Badgers have played two fewer games.
HOT HUSKIES:
St. Cloud State will put a six-game unbeaten streak on the line against
visiting Denver tonight. The Huskies, who had dropped to a 3-7-2 low point,
have taken 11 of a possible 12 points with a 5-0-1 streak against Denver,
Minnesota-Duluth, and Northern Michigan. That puts the Huskies five points
ahead of UMD and only two behind Wisconsin and North Dakota.(end of article)
I will post some Gopher notes and news in a separate note. Anyone up in Grand
Forks know what happened with Eisenhut? Will he be back? And is anyone going to
the Badger Showdown in Milwaukee? This is the first I've heard of the
"suspension" of Chris McAlpine, he'll definitely be missed, although crowd
favorite Larry Olimb has a preference for playing defense and will be able to
fill in that hole.
Carol White
U of M
GO Gophers!!!
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