This was an exciting, if a depressing, game. Exciting, because it featured some great hockey. Depressing because it all but destroys Minnesota's chances for a first place finish in the WCHA. Minnesota came out loaded for bear in the first. It was clear that the Gophers were there to play, and took the play to the hapless-looking Tigers for pretty much the entire period. The final shots on goal were 15-6 in favor of Minnesota, but the play was more uneven than that. CC got three power play shots in a penalty late in the third, in a span of 30 seconds or so to keep it at all respectable. But little did anyone know (although I must admit, I suspected) that the game was already decided. The final score was in doubt, but the fact that Minnesota could only score on one of their many first period chances (several fantastic opportunities came and went, leaving us in the stands scratching our heads and asking "How could he miss that?") was the deciding factor. SInce Minnesota had been so kind as to give the Tigers a clinic on how to play hockey in the first, CC came out and showed the Gophers what they had learned in the second. Play was pretty even, with a slight nod going to CC, for all but roughly 6:30 of the frame--during which CC scored 3 goals. Again, the difference was that CC took adavntage of all the chances they had. The Gophers managed to score late in the second to keep things close, but CC put the game away by scoring a goal to take a 2 goal lead, 4-2, late in the third. Many people started to leave Mariucci arena at that point, and the frustrated student section taunted and jeered them, instead of watching the game. But the were right in guessing the game was over. True, there were some late game dramatics, with a goal by Minnesota to bring it within one, and some antics with the pulled goalie, but really the outcome wasn't in doubt. Minnesota was unable to convert on the early chances, and were also unable to convert on the late ones, as well. I have been wondering: what exactly constitutes as offense? Minnesota's offense has been around in the sense that there are many chances, many excellent chances, in fact, in each game. They make the plays happen, and get 30-50 shots on net in every game. Scoring goals is the real problem. And this was made most clear by the power play. At the end of the game, Minnesota was officially mired in an 0 for 37 power play drought. Yuck. Things were looking bad, and several of the fans left the game muttering about the rotten Gophers, despite losing a one goal game to one of the top teams in the country. It seemed justified, though, because of the recent road trip problems, the lack of scoring on the power play, and the fact that, IMHO, Minnesota outplayed CC for most of the night. They played a better game, and deserved the win: deserved it, that is, IF they could manage to score. We were hoping Saturday would deliver a different result, to at least keep us in the hunt for second place. The Gopher fans wouldn't be disappointed... Lee-nerd [log in to unmask] "Violence is the last resort of the incompetent." --Isaac Asimov