The Gophers ran their victory streak to 12 in a row (13 if you include
the exhibition game against Calgary) by subjecting Northern Michigan
to their first home sweep since 1986.  Minnesota hasn't lost since being
swept at home by Northern December 14-15.  They gained their revenge by
holding WCHA scoring leaders Hiller and Beattie scoreless for the weekend.
Their linemate Dallas Drake played despite reports that he would miss four
weeks with a broken foot, leading one to be somewhat suspicious of any
injury reports coming from Northern Michigan, in view of Scott Beattie's
alleged bruised kidney that was supposedly going to make him miss the
series in Minnesota in December.  Sounds like the Wildcats are playing
psyche games with the injury reports! :-)
 
Friday night was a tight game with each team managing only 4 shots on goal in
the first period, although the Gophers played the first half of the
game short one defenseman.  Chris McAlpine had stayed in the Twin Cities
for an exam Friday and, like the rest of the team the night before, had his
flight cut short because of bad conditions at Marquette and had to ride the
rest of the way, arriving at Lakeview Arena early in the second period.  The
Gophers took a 2-0 lead in the first two periods, and Stolp held the
shutout until about five minutes remained in the game.  Northern scored, but
Minnesota came right back to regain the 2-goal lead.  Northern scored again
to make it 3-2 and ensure a nail-biter ending.  They pulled their goalie and
got some good chances in the last few minutes, but the Gophers held on for the
win.
 
Saturday night the Gophers looked like they were going to make things a little
easier on us watching at home.  They took a 2-0 lead in the first on senior
defender Sean Fabian's first collegiate goal in his 111 games.  Northern
scored on the power play to make it 2-1 at the end of the first.  The Gophers
made it 4-1 in the second, ending the night for Northern goalie, Welsh.
Northern made it a little more exciting in the third, but the Gophers again
managed to hold on for a 5-3 win.  The Gophers held Northern's power play to
1 goal in 16 chances this weekend, including killing off a 5-minute major
to Darby Hendrickson, who must have been on Buzz Christensen's list, drawing
13 minutes of penalties Saturday night.  (IMHO the major, which was for
checking from behind, wasn't really deserved.  It was a penalty, but didn't
look flagrant to my admittedly extremely biased eyes.)
 
Yet another recruiting note. The Gophers have received a verbal commitment
from defenseman Mike McAlpine, cousin of sophomore defenseman Chris McAlpine.
Mike is currently playing junior hockey with the St. Paul Vulcans USHL team.
 
Pam Sweeney
 
Go Gophers!!!