University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Extend Unbeaten Streak to Five Straight With Victory
3/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Minnesota did its part in attempt to earn home ice for the upcoming Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, but didn’t get the help it needed after posting a 4-1 victory over Minnesota Duluth on Friday at Mariucci Arena.
Blake Wheeler had two goals and an assist and scored just 37 seconds into the game as Minnesota led the entire way in improving to 15-13-9 overall and 9-11-7 in the WCHA. The win extended the Gophers’ unbeaten streak to five games and their unbeaten streak over the Bulldogs to seven straight. Minnesota Duluth fell to 12-15-6 overall and 8-14-5 with its fifth straight loss. The Bulldogs have scored two goals over the five-game span.
Minnesota entered the weekend with a chance to gain home ice for the upcoming WCHA first round, but Minnesota State’s win at Michigan Tech and St. Cloud State’s tie at North Dakota put an end to their home ice bid. Minnesota has clinched the seventh seed, since the Gophers could still finish in a three-way tie for fifth, but lose tiebreakers to both Wisconsin and St. Cloud State.
Minnesota State currently holds a one-point lead for fourth place over both Wisconsin and St. Cloud State. If the Mavericks at least tie Michigan Tech on Saturday, the Gophers will open the playoffs in Mankato. If Minnesota State loses and St. Cloud State wins at North Dakota, the Gophers will open at St. Cloud State.
Wheeler scored the Gophers’ quick game-opening goal on a three-on-two rush off passes from Ben Gordon and Mike Howe. It was Wheeler’s team-leading 14th goal of the year and the 28th time in 37 games that the Gophers have scored the game’s first goal. Entering the game, Wheeler had spread his 29 points across 24 different games. It was his first multiple-goal game of the year and his first three-point game.
Ben Gordon put Minnesota ahead 2-0 at the 12:11 mark of the opening period, finishing off a play with assists from Mike Hoeffel and Wheeler. The score was Gordon’s 13th of the year and came on the Gophers’ first power play opportunity.
Just 2:27 into the second period, Evan Kaufmann pushed the Gophers’ lead to 3-0 with a nifty backhanded goal. After Ryan Flynn’s shot was saved by Bulldogs’ goalie Alex Stalock, the puck came free to Kaufmann, who was positioned next to the post and scored with his back to the goal. Mike Carman also picked up an assist on the play.
Minnesota Duluth’s Michael Gergen pulled the Bulldogs within 3-1 with a power play goal at 5:36 of the second period, scoring with passes from Justin Fontaine and Travis Gawryletz.
The Bulldogs had possession of the puck for most of the third period, but Minnesota picked up the lone goal and finished with a 9-7 advantage in shots. Minnesota Duluth pulled Stalock for an extra attacker in the final two minutes and the Gophers finally converted with an empty-net goal from Wheeler with 24 seconds left. Derek Peltier assisted the goal as Minnesota scored on an empty net for the second straight game.
The Gophers outshot the Bulldogs 27-26 for the game as Alex Kangas made 25 saves for Minnesota in his 13th consecutive start. He has allowed one goal in six of the 13 starts. Stalock stopped 23 shots for Minnesota Duluth. Both teams were 1-for-4 on the power play.
The teams meet again on Saturday at 7:07 p.m. in the regular season finale at Mariucci Arena.
