University of Minnesota Athletics
In-State Showdown with SCSU on Deck
1/3/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
| 2017-18 Gopher Hockey | |
| Game 23 | No. 10 Minnesota at No. 1/2 St. Cloud State |
| Date | Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 |
| Time | 6:30 p.m. CT |
| Location | National Hockey Center | St. Cloud, Minn. |
| TV | CBS Sports |
| Radio | 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online |
| Live Stats | Gametracker |
| Live Updates | Gopher Hockey Live |
| Game 24 | No. 10 Minnesota vs. No. 1/2 St. Cloud State |
| Date | Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 |
| Time | 6:00 p.m. CT |
| Location | 3M Arena at Mariucci | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| TV | FOX Sports North | TSN2 |
| Stream | BTN2Go | FOX Sports Go | TSNGo |
| Radio | 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Updates | Gopher Hockey Live |
| Tickets | GopherSports.com/Tickets |
| Game Notes | Minnesota | SCSU | Big Ten |
| Social Media | @GopherHockey | Facebook | Instagram |
| Fan Information | Tickets| Local Weather| Parking| Preferred Hotels |
Dec. 27, 2017
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Gopher Hockey program kicks off 2018 with a return to action against a nationally ranked opponent as No. 10 Minnesota takes on No. 1/2 St. Cloud State in a home-and-home series. Saturday's opener is set for 6:30 p.m. CT in St. Cloud (CBS Sports, NCHC.tv) while Sunday's finale will be held at 3M Arena at Mariucci at 6:00 p.m. CT (FOX Sports North, TSN2, BTN2Go, FOX Sports Go, TSNGo).
Lucia Wins 450th Game with Gophers
Minnesota head coach Don Lucia became the first coach in Gopher Hockey history to win 450 games with the program on Saturday night as the Maroon & Gold took down Army West Point 4-1 at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Lucia is the winningest coach in program history with a 450-240-72 mark with the Gophers and a 729-395-101 career record.
Sheehy Nears 100-Point Club
Team captain Tyler Sheehy continues to approach Gopher Hockey 100-Point Club as the junior forward currently has 97 career points (39 goals, 58 assists) in 95 games with the program. A First Team All-America, the Big Ten Player of the Year and a Hobey Baker Award finalist last season, Sheehy has goals in back-to-back games entering the weekend. He would be the 84th member of the 100-Point Club -- senior forward Mike Szmatula reached the milestone earlier this season.
Robson Earns First Win
Sophomore goaltender Mat Robson closed out the Army West Point sweep for Minnesota by picking up his first collegiate win, making 25 saves on 26 in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Black Knights. Robson (1-1-0) has allowed just three goals on 50 shots in just under 120 minutes of play for a GAA of 1.51 and a .940 save percentage. Robson was named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week for his performance against Army West Point.
Stoa Named to U.S. Olympic Squad
First Team All-American alum and former captain Ryan Stoa will represent the Gophers on the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men's Team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. Stoa skated in 120 career games with 97 points (47 goals, 50 assists) from 2005-2009 and currently skates for Spartak Moskva in the KHL. Additionally, Gopher Hockey alums Robb Stauber (head coach) and Bret Strot (associate head coach) will be on staff for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women's Team. Gopher Hockey has featured at least one representative (player or coach) at every Olympic Games since 1936.
Schierhorn Climbs Gophers Record Book
Junior goaltender Eric Schierhorn continues to climb the Gophers goaltending record books. The two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year now has 11 career shutouts (tied for third in program history with Bud Wilkinson and George Clausen...only Adam Wilcox and Kellen Briggs have more with 13 each) while his 54 career wins (54-37-4) are now tied for seventh in program history with Steve DeBus.
First Responders Night Set for Jan. 7
The Gopher Hockey program is proud to show its appreciation for the men and women who serve as First Responders in our community with the first-ever First Responders Night on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Ticket packages for the inaugural event include a Gopher Hockey First Responders t-shirt. To purchase tickets for First Responders Night and for more information, please contact Jacob Gilbertson in the Gopher Ticket Office (gilbertj@umn.edu, 612-626-1592).
Lettieri Makes NHL Debut Last Week
Vinni Lettieri became the 115th Gopher Hockey alum to play in the NHL last night when he debuted for the New York Rangers. The forward, who is the 20th Gopher to play in the NHL this year, scored in his first NHL game. Lettieri is the third Gopher to make his NHL debut this season, joining Justin Kloos (Minnesota Wild) and Travis Boyd (Washington Capitals).
Gophers Announce Roster Changes
The Gopher Hockey program has added freshman defenseman Clayton Phillips (Edina, Minn./Muskegon Lumberjacks) to the 2017-18 roster while freshman defenseman Nate Knoepke has returned to the USHL for the rest of the season with the Sioux City Musketeers. Additionally, sophomore forward Luke Notermann has been cleared to return for the second half of the season.
More on Clayton Phillips
Clayton Phillips joins the Maroon & Gold after spending parts of the last three seasons in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Fargo Force. The defenseman was named to the 2017 USHL All-Rookie Team with Fargo last year before being traded to Muskegon earlier this season. Phillips also spent two seasons at Edina High School and most recently helped the U.S. Junior Select Team to a silver medal at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge. He previously earned gold medals at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge and the 2015 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament as well as a silver medal at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. A third round pick (93rd overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Phillips will wear No. 6 for the Maroon & Gold.
Lindgren, Mittelstadt Make U.S. WJC Roster
Sophomore defenseman Ryan Lindgren and freshman forward Casey Mittelstadt have been named to the final roster for the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team that is currently competing in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. Lindgren, who helped the U.S. claim gold last year, is serving as an alternate captain for the team while Gopher Hockey alum Grant Potulny is serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. The University of Minnesota has now been represented at 40 of the 42 IIHF World Junior Championships dating back to the inaugural event in 1977.
Schierhorn's Historic Streak Comes to an End
Two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year Eric Schierhorn's historic streak in goal for the Gophers came to an end last month. The junior, who owns a 55-37-4 career record for the Maroon & Gold, started 94-straight games in net -- the longest streak in school history and the fourth-longest streak in NCAA history.
Sheehy Steps Up as Captain
Forward Tyler Sheehy had one of the best individual seasons in recent program history during the 2016-17 campaign. A First Team All-America, the Big Ten Player of the Year and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Sheehy tallied 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) -- the most points in a season by a Gopher since Ryan Potulny notched 63 during the 2005-06 season. Now a junior, Sheehy will serve as team captain for Minnesota this year while Mike Szmatula, Leon Bristedt and Ryan Lindgren will serve as alternate captains.
Big Ten's Best
In addition to the first four regular-season titles in Big Ten Conference history, Minnesota also boasts a conference-best record of 58-26-8-1 in 92 regular-season games since the inaugural year of Big Ten play in 2013-14. The Gophers also boast an impressive 34-8-3-0 mark in conference games on home ice and have set and matched a conference single-season record with 14 wins in 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17
Gophers in the NHL Draft
Fourteen current Gophers have had their names called at the NHL Entry Draft including newcomers Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 1st Round, eighth overall), Clayton Phillips (2017, 3rd round, 93rd overall), Scott Reedy (2017, 4th Round, 102nd overall) and Connor Hurley (2013, 2nd Round, 38th overall). Mittelstadt is Minnesota's highest active draft pick, the 20th First Round selection in program history and the team's highest draft pick since 2006. Twelve NHL teams hold draft rights for Gophers, led by the Nashville Predators and the Buffalo Sabres with two each.
Our Home, Our Hockey
The Gophers boast an all-time record of 334-131-48 in the 24-year history of 3M Arena at Mariucci (formerly Mariucci Arena). Since the start of the 2011-12 season, the Maroon & Gold lead the NCAA in home wins (94) and home winning percentage (.758). Minnesota is 34-8-3-0 in Big Ten games on home ice including one victory at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 Hockey City Classic.
