>http://www.daily.umn.edu/~online/daily/11031995/sports/puck03/> >> [Image] >> >> SPORTS >> -------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Scoring boom proves U senior's no 'goon' >> >> Jeff Sherry - Staff Reporter >> Jeff Sherry - Staff Reporter >> [Image] >> The three consecutive state hockey titles Mike Crowley won >> at Bloomington Jefferson High School provided the Gophers sophomore >> with plenty of fond memories. >> >> But when Crowley reminisces about his 1992 state title run, some of >> those memories are missing. And Gophers forward Jesse Bertogliat, >> who played for Cloquet High School at the time, provided the reason >> why. >> >> "We were playing Cloquet," Crowley said. "I came around from behind >> the net, and Jesse just nailed me. I don't remember anything that >> happened after that." >> >> Crowley called the collision the hardest hit of his career. He said >> the second-hardest hit of his career came during practice last year >> -- also from Bertogliat. >> >> This is not a coincidence. Bertogliat, a senior winger for the >> Gophers, is a very physical hockey player. He developed that >> reputation in high school and incorporated it into his play at >> Minnesota. Hitting is what he does, and he prides himself on doing >> it well. >> >> "My style is aggressive," Bertogliat said. "I like to go into the >> corners and muck it up. I just think that's the way the game should >> be played. I don't think guys should just be able to skate around >> out there. I think if you're not hitting somebody, you're not >> playing hockey." >> >> But Gophers fans this year have seen more than just physical play >> out of Bertogliat. Only three weeks into the season, he already has >> two goals and two assists. This is a big change. In his first three >> seasons at the University, he totaled only five goals. >> >> Bertogliat said he has made scoring a higher priority. >> >> "Last year it was a bonus if I scored," Bertogliat said. "So far >> this year my attitude is starting to change. If I come out of a game >> now and I haven't gotten a point, then I don't feel I've played that >> well. I like getting into that attitude. And I hope to continue with >> that." >> >> Getting consistent scoring from players like Bertogliat will be key >> for the Minnesota this season. Defense and goaltending will keep the >> Gophers in most games. When they can get balanced scoring like they >> did against Alaska-Anchorage, the Gophers will be tough to beat. >> >> Minnesota assistant coach Tom Ward said the players seem to rally >> around Bertogliat. >> >> "When Jesse scores, the team really gets a lift," Ward said. "The >> guys really like him. It makes a big difference for this team if we >> can get scoring from all four lines." >> >> Bertogliat's increased offensive production could also affect the >> way others view him. His physical style has been interpreted by some >> as cheap. >> >> But what most people don't realize is that Bertogliat, 22, has never >> been in a real fight on the ice. He has been involved in some >> mini-wrestling matches, but never in a >> "let's-drop-the-gloves-and-go" type of fight. >> >> "I'm not a fighter," Bertogliat said. "I never have been. The only >> time I'm hitting someone is usually when I'm getting a good shoulder >> into him. And very rarely are people willing to drop the gloves with >> you just because they got hit hard." >> >> Bertogliat said he likes to use the low center of gravity from his >> muscular, 5-foot-8, 198-pound frame for legal, tactical hits. He >> thinks he plays a clean brand of hockey. >> >> "I don't look at myself as a goon," Bertogliat said. "I don't think >> I'm all that good of a hitter if I'm trying to goon somebody. I >> think I've got the knack of hitting somebody when they're not >> expecting it. And that's why I'm successful." >> >> But even if people do give him that label, Bertogliat said he >> doesn't mind. >> >> "If I'm labeled as a goon, I'd almost take that as a compliment," >> Bertogliat said. "At least I'm being recognized. Half of the time >> when they call you a goon that means you're playing the game the way >> it's supposed to be played and you're getting on their nerves. >> >> "If I'm hitting somebody on the ice and I'm not getting a penalty, I >> can't be too much of a goon." >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------- >> [Image] >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------- >> =A9The Minnesota Daily > Pam Sweeney Go Gophers! Nastier, Bigger, Faster in '95-'96! HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.