Men's Hockey Plays Gophers In WCHA Playoffs
Tournament Preview
by Brad Wheeler
March 10, 2005
"Big players step up in big games." We've all heard that line before. But now, in order for MSU to advance to the Final Five, the Mavericks need to travel to Mariucci Arena and beat the University of Minnesota in two games out of three.
Minnesota has outscored MSU 23-11 while sweeping the season series in four games this year.
The Gophers added to their already dominating record over MSU with four wins this season.
"It's playoff time now. There's tighter defense and tighter checking, it's more intense. I don't think we'll see a 9-6 game. Maybe a 4-3 game," senior captain Brad Thompson said.
MSU is 2-16-4 all-time versus the "U". The Gophers own a nine game unbeaten streak against the Mavericks.
"We've got to play tight defense every night. Tight defense is going to be a key for us," Thompson said.
MSU is 1-7-4 playing the Gophers at Mariucci Arena. The lone victory came Jan. 26, 2000 when the Mavericks won 6-5 in overtime.
Although the records seem lopsided, the games have been very competitive.
Nine of the last 14 games between the two schools have been decided by two goals or less.
"We've got lots of Minnesota kids and even the guys from Canada realize how big the rivalry is. The Gophers are always on Fox Sports Net and basically the whole state is Gopher fans. It makes you say 'Hey we can beat these guys,'" assistant captain Steven Johns said.
The two teams have combined for 34 goals in four games this season.
So, the games should provide excitement. All four regular season games produced a multi-goal scorer.
"They've got good forwards who can score with the best of them. We've got to keep them in check," Thompson said.
"Who better to play right away than the Gophers?" Johns said.
Don't be surprised if defenseman Lucas Fransen gets in the action this weekend. The sophomore has a goal and two assists versus the Gophers in two games this season. Fransen scored the game-winning goal in overtime of last year's playoff game versus No. 1 seed Minnesota-Duluth.
The Mavericks haven't been shutout in its last 54 games. The last time the Mavericks were held scoreless in a game was Jan. 16, 2004 when Kellen Briggs had to stop just 18 shots in a 6-0 Gophers win. Senior goaltender Justin Johnson is expected to start in goal for the Gophers as Briggs has been out with a hand injury since the end of February.
MSU, however, doesn't care who's in goal.
"I didn't even know he was hurt. The players in this league are good and it doesn't matter if it's a second, third, or fourth string guy. If he's here obviously he was the man somewhere," Johns said.
The toughest task could be getting the job done on the road.
MSU is 2-1-2 in its last five road games. The Mavericks haven't swept an opponent on the road this season, but they've been swept on the road three times. MSU would like to change that.
"I hope it doesn't go three," Thompson said. "I want it to go two."
MSU is 0-2 against the Gophers in Final Five action. The last game was in March 2003 when the Gophers won in overtime 3-2. To get to the Final Five this year, they'll have to play the Gophers in the first round for the first time.
"We're playing real well now and we realize it's do or die time. We want to give ourselves a chance to play in the Final Five," Thompson said.
The two teams will hook up for the three-game set starting Friday and Saturday at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. The puck is scheduled to drop each game at 7:07. Sunday's game will only be played as a rubber match if the two schools are tied after Saturday.