FROM THE STAR TRIBUNE: AN ARTICLE BY JOHN GILBERT JJJ JJJJJJ JJJJJ JJJJJ JJJJ GOPHERS NO. 1 IN COLLEGE HOCKEY POLLS Losing a lead with two seconds remaining and settling for a 4-4 tie might have left an empty feeling with the Gophers hockey team Saturday night. But Monday's news was considerably brighter: The Gophers are ranked No. 1 in the nation in all three major polls. "All it does is make you a bigger target," coach Doug Woog said. "And we were big enough targets already." The top three hockey polls are conducted by WMEB radio in Orono, Maine, using media representatives and scouts; by the Albany Times-Union in Albany, New York, which uses some coaches and media representatives, and by WMPL radio in Hancock, Michigan which polls coaches. All three polls last week had Northern Michigan No. 1, Lake Superior State No. 2, and the Gophers No. 3. But the Gophers beat Northern 5-3 on Friday before Saturday's tie, while Lake Superior split with Michigan. In the WMEB poll, the Gophers (9-0-2) got 13 of the 14 first-place votes and 209 points. Lake Superior (9-2-1) was No. 2 with 186 points and the other first-place vote. Of the Albany Times-Union's 24 first-place votes, 19 went to the Gophers (239 points). No. 2 was Northern Michigan with three first-place votes and 205 points, while No. 3 Lake Superior had two firsts and 197 points. The WMPL poll of 10 coaches has the Gophers with seven first-place votes and 97 points, Lake Superior State second with two firsts and 79 points and Northern Michigan third. The Gophers will try to remain undefeated as they face Michigan Tech on Friday and Saturday at Mariucci Arena. The only other unbeaten teams in the rankings are Clarkson (7-0-1) and Cornell (4-0-1). Being No. 1 seemed to have little impact on the Gophers yesterday. They were unaware of it when Woog gathered them before practice. "It didn't have much effect on us," Woog said. "I just got through telling our players we had to improve on three different areas -- the first was a more responsible checking scheme so we don't get three guys caught, the second is to improve the impact of our fourth line and the third is faceoffs." If the No. 1 team has all that work to do, what about the rest? "Maybe they've got longer lists." Woog said. "As for our tie with Northern, it was disappointing so late in the game, but it was not a negative or anything to be mad about. I don't anticipate any letdown against Michigan Tech. They've had a coaching change and they seem to be refreshed, and now they've got some credibility." Tech split with North Dakota two weeks ago and gained more credibility by sweep ing St. Cloud State this weekend. ******** The complete polls were posted in an earlier note. I especially liked John's article because it explained the polls. I will still be interested to see the official NCAA Division I poll when it finally starts. Since the mail seems to be held up somewhere this week, I'll say this now: Have a Happy Turkey Day!! Carol White U of M GO Gophers!!!