The Gophers won round one Friday night in the battle for control of
second place in the WCHA. The Gophers played excellent defense and goalie
Jeff Callinan play really well.
 
First period: DU came out flying. Playing rough, physical hockey and
putting 13 shots on goal, the Pioneers started the game hoping to knock
the Gophers off their game plan. DU had several nice scoring chances but
Callinan was able to make initial saves and the Gopher defense whisked
several juicy rebounds out of the slot.
 
Although DU came out with lots of energy, they could not control the
puck. DU would enter the Minn. zone and take blistering shots but they
couldn't hold the zone or complete passes. Minnesota was able to stay
with their game plan of fast skating and passing while enduring crushing
blows from the DU players. The grind them into the boards theory back
fired on the Pioneers, however when they lost their biggest hard hitter
early in the period when he hurt himself applying a check to a Gopher
along the boards.
 
Early in the period on one of Minn's first rushes, Gopher freshman Jason
Siels scored his first collegiate goal, lifting the puck nicely over a
prone positioned Wallinheimo. DU came back to tie a couple minutes later
on a nice goal off a face off.
 
Play was fast and furious and in a couple more minutes the Gophers scored
their second goal to go ahead for good. Brian Bonnin scored his first
goal of his hat trick on a beautiful 2 on 0 break away getting a nice
feed from McHugh.
 
At the end of the first period Gopher Scott Bell was called for a 5 min
checking from behind major. DU was only able to muster 1  shot during the
power play while Minn had 2 short handed shots on goal. This pretty much
summed it up for the night. The Gophers played great defense and
controled the puck.
 
It was a beautiful game. One period in last night's game had more
excitement than one of last weekend's entire UMD games!
 
The Gopher's defense right now is really strong. Callinan isn't giving up
soft goals and the team's offensive go to men, Bonnin, McHugh and Bell
are contributing plenty of offense.
 
Now for more help from UND.... and to get DU cranked up for a sweep next
weekend....
 
 
Reed