Headline: Hockey to be tested
Publish Date: 12/02/1994
 
Matthew Cross
 
Staff Reporter
 
December will be a month of obstacles for the Gophers hockey team.
And Minnesota can expect its depth to be tested.
 
Gophers co-captain Justin McHugh is out of action until late January
after spraining his left knee against Michigan Saturday.
 
Sophomore winger Nick Checco slightly separated his shoulder in the
same game. He is currently listed as questionable for the Gophers'
next series, against Denver Dec. 10 and 11.
 
Without McHugh and Checco, the Gophers passed their first test by
coming back from a 3-1 third-period deficit to defeat the Wolverines
4-3.
 
However, Minnesota's home series against Denver and road contests at
Colorado College will be difficult assignments.
 
Denver has won six of its last seven games despite a 7-5 overall
record. The Pioneers should give the Gophers a run when they visit
Mariucci Arena.
 
Minnesota will then travel to Colorado Springs to face the 10-2
Colorado College team Dec. 16 and 17. This series will be arguably
the toughest of the season for the Gophers.
 
The Tigers have an explosive offense that has outscored opponents
70-32. Five of the WCHA's top seven scorers play for Colorado
College.
 
Also, goaltender Judd Lambert is the WCHA's top-rated netminder.
 
In order to compete with Colorado College and Denver, the Gophers
will have to break some bad habits. It's no secret Minnesota is
susceptible to giving up early scores, as the team has done in all
but one game this year (the Gophers scored the first three goals
against Wisconsin Oct. 29).
 
And it's also apparent that Minnesota's defense has a tendency to
miss a beat on occasion, as evidenced during the split with Michigan
Tech, and the tie and loss at North Dakota in mid-November.
 
During both of these series, the Gophers had a hard time completing
passes and moving their feet -- two areas Minnesota relies on to win
games.
 
The Gophers have been able to overcome first-period lapses. In the
first 20 minutes, Minnesota is averaging one goal for every one of
its opponent's scores.
 
They have also done well in the third period, outscoring opponents
26-2 this season.
 
Since Minnesota can't keep relying on third-period magic, the team
has done some work to combat slow starts, including passing work and
mental preparation.
 
Following the series at Colorado College, the Gophers will come home
for an exhibition game with the Swedish National Team on Dec. 28.
 
Two days later they host the annual Mariucci Classic, where they will
duel with Hockey East Conference and Eastern College Athletic
Conference rivals.
 
Minnesota will face Yale University -- a team coached by 1994 U.S.
Olympic Team head coach Tim Taylor -- Dec. 30.
 
Boston University, the nation's No. 1 team, will likely be
Minnesota's next opponent.
 
The Mariucci Classic provides the Gophers another chance to impress
the NCAA seeding committee.
 
{Obviously, the guy doesn't know much about the RPICH and how they determine the
NC$$ seedings.  One March on hockey-l would cure that!}
 
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!!!