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!!!