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Pride on Ice Preview: Historic Programs Clash in Ann Arbor When Michigan Hosts No. 9 Minnesota
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/464166?referrer_id=388419
It will be a battle college hockey’s two winningest programs as the Golden Gophers travel to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan this weekend. Coming off a loss and an overtime win in the Mariucci Classic, the Gophers know they need to perform well in the last half of the season to position themselves for a deep run in March and April.
“In Big Ten conference play, we’re starting to try to build momentum to the end of the year,” said Hudson Fasching. “And build toward a conference championship and just build some momentum going into the second half of the season.”
PREGAME NOTES
No. 9 Minnesota (10-5-1 overall, 1-0-1 Big Ten) vs. Michigan (10-7-0 overall, 2-1-0 Big Ten)
Friday, 5:33 p.m. CT on BTN – Yost Ice Arena (6,637)
Saturday, 3:06 p.m. CT on FSN PLUS – Yost Ice Arena
Series History
For Gopher fans, there’s good news and bad news heading into this series. First; the bad news. The Wolverines hold a commanding 65-48-7 advantage when playing at home against the Gophers. The good news is that Minnesota leads 131-118-15 all-time in a series that dates back to 1923. More good news; Minnesota’s 131 wins are the most of any Michigan opponent. The Gophers’ last trip to Ann Arbor ended with a Big Ten Championship overtime winner by Kyle Rau in Friday’s matchup. On Saturday, Minnesota was able to rest some of their stars and fell 6-2 in a game that was essentially meaningless for both teams.
Up the Middle
The Gophers will be up against one of the toughest position groups they will face all year as they square off against Michigan’s three top centermen. Dylan Larkin, JT Compher, and Andrew Copp have combined for 14 goals and 42 points on the year.
“When you look at their lineup, their center play is outstanding,” said Don Lucia. “When you can throw [Dylan] Larkin, [Andrew] Copp, [JT] Compher; three guys that are high draft choices, three guys that have played at the World Junior level, big, strong. That’ll be a real test for us.”
Larkin is fresh off an impressive World Junior Championship performance in which he led Team USA in goals (5) and points (7) in five games. Look for the freshman to be flying high coming off a great showing in Canada last week.
Season to Date
The Wolverines had a rocky start to the year, losing five of their first seven contests. Since their November 1 loss to Michigan Tech, Michigan has rattled off wins in eight of ten games. Much of that stretch has come when playing at Yost where Michigan has won seven of nine games this season. The Wolverines have played a tough schedule that includes UMass-Lowell, Boston University, and Michigan Tech but have thrived of late.
“We’re going to go play Michigan and they’re 8-2 in their last 10 games,” said Lucia. “…Michigan’s team, they’ve improved a lot over the year. They’re solidifying they’re goaltending…They skate well like they always do and Yost is a very difficult place to play as we’ve seen over the years.”
Coaching Preview
A legend in the sport, Red Berenson is in his 31st season as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. Berenson has guided the Wolverines to sustained success; qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in 22 of the past 24 seasons, reaching 11 NCAA Frozen Fours, and winning two national championships in 1996 and 1998. Berenson is just two wins shy of becoming only the fourth college hockey coach to reach 800 careers wins. Jerry York, Ron Mason, and Jack Parker are the others who have accomplished the feat.
Wolverine to Watch
No. 13 – Zach Werenski: He’s not even allowed to vote but Michigan’s Zach Werenski is one of hockey’s top prospects. The 17-year old freshman defenseman has tallied an impressive nine assists and 12 points in 15 games for the Wolverines this year. As one of the youngest players at the WJC, Werenski looked like he belonged, recording two points in five games for the Red, White, and Blue as an underage blueliner.
Background
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Enrollment: 43,710
Conference: Big Ten
Mascot: Wolverines
Colors: Maize and Blue
Coach: Red Berenson (31st Season)
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/464166?referrer_id=388419
It will be a battle college hockey’s two winningest programs as the Golden Gophers travel to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan this weekend. Coming off a loss and an overtime win in the Mariucci Classic, the Gophers know they need to perform well in the last half of the season to position themselves for a deep run in March and April.
“In Big Ten conference play, we’re starting to try to build momentum to the end of the year,” said Hudson Fasching. “And build toward a conference championship and just build some momentum going into the second half of the season.”
PREGAME NOTES
No. 9 Minnesota (10-5-1 overall, 1-0-1 Big Ten) vs. Michigan (10-7-0 overall, 2-1-0 Big Ten)
Friday, 5:33 p.m. CT on BTN – Yost Ice Arena (6,637)
Saturday, 3:06 p.m. CT on FSN PLUS – Yost Ice Arena
Series History
For Gopher fans, there’s good news and bad news heading into this series. First; the bad news. The Wolverines hold a commanding 65-48-7 advantage when playing at home against the Gophers. The good news is that Minnesota leads 131-118-15 all-time in a series that dates back to 1923. More good news; Minnesota’s 131 wins are the most of any Michigan opponent. The Gophers’ last trip to Ann Arbor ended with a Big Ten Championship overtime winner by Kyle Rau in Friday’s matchup. On Saturday, Minnesota was able to rest some of their stars and fell 6-2 in a game that was essentially meaningless for both teams.
Up the Middle
The Gophers will be up against one of the toughest position groups they will face all year as they square off against Michigan’s three top centermen. Dylan Larkin, JT Compher, and Andrew Copp have combined for 14 goals and 42 points on the year.
“When you look at their lineup, their center play is outstanding,” said Don Lucia. “When you can throw [Dylan] Larkin, [Andrew] Copp, [JT] Compher; three guys that are high draft choices, three guys that have played at the World Junior level, big, strong. That’ll be a real test for us.”
Larkin is fresh off an impressive World Junior Championship performance in which he led Team USA in goals (5) and points (7) in five games. Look for the freshman to be flying high coming off a great showing in Canada last week.
Season to Date
The Wolverines had a rocky start to the year, losing five of their first seven contests. Since their November 1 loss to Michigan Tech, Michigan has rattled off wins in eight of ten games. Much of that stretch has come when playing at Yost where Michigan has won seven of nine games this season. The Wolverines have played a tough schedule that includes UMass-Lowell, Boston University, and Michigan Tech but have thrived of late.
“We’re going to go play Michigan and they’re 8-2 in their last 10 games,” said Lucia. “…Michigan’s team, they’ve improved a lot over the year. They’re solidifying they’re goaltending…They skate well like they always do and Yost is a very difficult place to play as we’ve seen over the years.”
Coaching Preview
A legend in the sport, Red Berenson is in his 31st season as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. Berenson has guided the Wolverines to sustained success; qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in 22 of the past 24 seasons, reaching 11 NCAA Frozen Fours, and winning two national championships in 1996 and 1998. Berenson is just two wins shy of becoming only the fourth college hockey coach to reach 800 careers wins. Jerry York, Ron Mason, and Jack Parker are the others who have accomplished the feat.
Wolverine to Watch
No. 13 – Zach Werenski: He’s not even allowed to vote but Michigan’s Zach Werenski is one of hockey’s top prospects. The 17-year old freshman defenseman has tallied an impressive nine assists and 12 points in 15 games for the Wolverines this year. As one of the youngest players at the WJC, Werenski looked like he belonged, recording two points in five games for the Red, White, and Blue as an underage blueliner.
Background
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Enrollment: 43,710
Conference: Big Ten
Mascot: Wolverines
Colors: Maize and Blue
Coach: Red Berenson (31st Season)