University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Set for Series with Northeastern
10/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
| No. 19 Minnesota vs. Northeastern | |
| Game 1 | Friday, Oct. 23 | 7:05 p.m. CT |
| Game 2 | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 8:05 p.m. CT |
| Location | Mariucci Arena | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| Television | Game 1: FOX Sports North PLUS ( Guide) |
| Game 2: FOX Sports North | |
| Stream | BTN2Go | FOX Sports Go (Both Games) |
| Radio | 1500 ESPN (Both Games) |
| Live Stats | | |
| G.H.L. | Game 1 | Game 2 |
| Tickets | MyGopherSports.com |
| Travel | Local Weather | Parking | Preferred Hotels |
| Game Notes | Minnesota | Northeastern | Big Ten |
| Social Media | @GopherHockey | Facebook | Instagram |
Oct. 21, 2015
The No. 19 Gopher Hockey program continues the 2015-16 campaign this weekend with a nonconference series against Northeastern at Mariucci Arena. The Gophers and the Huskies open the series on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. CT while the series finale is set for Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m.
A Tight Series with the Huskies
In a series that dates back to 1963, Minnesota boasts an 8-6-0 all-time record against Northeastern with a 7-2-0 mark on home ice. The two nonconference foes have played extremely tight for most of the series with eight of the last 10 games being decided by one goal -- four in overtime. Last year's 3-2 loss in Boston marks the only meeting between the two programs that the current Gophers lineup has seen with Justin Kloos (one goal) and Connor Reilly (one assist) leading all active Minnesota players in points against the Huskies.
Four Championships -- A Program First
For the first time in Gopher Hockey history, the Maroon & Gold have earned four-straight regular-season conference titles after repeating as Big Ten champions last year. Minnesota's 6-2 win over Penn State in the regular-season finale clinched the championship for Minnesota with the title standing as the 16th regular-season conference crown in program history. Prior to the back-to-back Big Ten titles, Minnesota won two-straight MacNaughton Cups as WCHA regular-season champions in the team's final two years in the league (co-champions in 2012-13).
Pacing the Nation
Not only have the Gophers won four-straight conference titles, they've earned four-straight NCAA tournament berths over that span including two trips to the NCAA Frozen Four and added a Big Ten tournament title last year. Perhaps even more impressive is the overall record of the Maroon & Gold over that stretch. Over the last four years, Minnesota leads the nation in total wins (105), winning percentage (.690) entering the 2015-16 season.
Our Home, Our Hockey
Now entering its 22nd season at Mariucci Arena, Minnesota has been incredibly successful on its home ice, boasting a 304-119-46 all-time record at the venue. The dominance has never been more apparent than the last four years with the Gophers leading the nation in home wins (63), home winning percentage (.801) and fewest home losses (13) entering the 2015-16 season. In Big Ten play, Minnesota holds a 17-1-2 (.875) all-time record on home ice. Four of Minnesota's first five games this season will be played at Mariucci Arena. (All statistics except for Mariucci Arena record include Minnesota's win at TCF Bank Stadium in 2013-14.).
Four to Lead in 2015-16
The Gophers will see a new crop of leaders in the locker room this season with junior forward Justin Kloos serving as team captain while redshirt junior forward Connor Reilly, junior forward Hudson Fasching, and junior defenseman Jake Bischoff will act as alternate captains for the Maroon & Gold. Kloos, who returns as Minnesota's active leading scorer, replaces two-year team captain Kyle Rau while the cadre of alternate captains take over for Ben Marshall and Seth Ambroz. This year's group of leaders mark the 161st-164th players to serve as either captain or alternate captain for the Gophers in a tradition that dates back to the program's first year of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold.
Fresh Faces on the Team
With six seniors graduating last season and three juniors signing professional contracts, a sizable rookie class will be joining the Gophers roster this year. Coach Lucia has added 10 incoming freshmen to bolster the roster (Jack Sadek, Curt Simonson, Brent Gates Jr., Brock Kautz, Tyler Sheehy, Ryan Norman, Tommy Novak, Jack Ramsey, Eric Schierhorn, Darian Romanko). Broken down by position, Minnesota adds two goalies, two defensemen and six forwards. Additionally, the Maroon & Gold have added junior forward Mike Szmatula to the roster following a transfer from Northeastern. (Szmatula will sit out the 2015-16 due to NCAA transfer rules.)
Big Ten Preseason Poll, Players to Watch
The University of Minnesota was picked to finish second in the Big Ten Conference this season, according to the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll. Michigan was tabbed the league's preseason favorite while Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin rounded out the conference outlook. It's the second time in the conference's three-year existence that the Gophers were selected to finish second after the inaugural season in 2013-14. Minnesota was accurately picked to repeat as league champions the following year in 2014-15. Meanwhile, juniors Justin Kloos and Hudson Fasching were among 12 Big Ten players selected for the Preseason Players to Watch list this year.
Lucia Makes Gophers History
Now in his 29th season as a Division I head coach and his 17th season at the University of Minnesota, Don Lucia is among the most successful coaches in college hockey history. Lucia led the Gophers to two NCAA titles and continues to produce elite-level teams and talent. The Grand Rapids, Minn., native is Minnesota's all-time winningest coach with 395 victories to his name after passing Doug Woog late last season. Lucia's 674-360-97 all-time record ranks ninth all-time among college hockey coaches and is third among active coaches (Jerry York, Red Berenson).
Gophers in the Draft
The University of Minnesota features 12 players whose rights have been drafted by NHL teams including four newcomers. Three freshmen were drafted in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft -- Brent Gates Jr. (Anaheim, third round, 80th overall), Tommy Novak (Nashville, third round, 85th overall), Jack Sadek (Minnesota, seventh round, 204th overall) -- while Jack Ramsey was selected in 2014 (Chicago, seventh round, 208th overall). The Minnesota Wild (Sadek, Nick Seeler) and the New York Islanders (Taylor Cammarata, Jake Bischoff) lead all NHL teams with two Gopher draftees each.
12 Gophers on NHL Rosters
Gopher Hockey has featured 12 NHL alums this season with Nick Bjugstad (Florida Panthers), Alex Goligoski (Dallas Stars), Erik Haula (Minnesota Wild), Erik Johnson (Colorado Avalanche), Phil Kessel (Pittsburgh Penguins), Nick Leddy (New York Islanders), Paul Martin (San Jose Sharks), Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders), Nate Schmidt (Washington Capitals), Jordan Schroeder (Minnesota Wild), Thomas Vanek (Minnesota Wild) and Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg Jets) making the cut. Additionally, Darby Hendrickson continues to serve as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild and Paul Holmgren is the president of the Philadelphia Flyers.
