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Pride on Ice Preview: Gophers Conclude First Half Against No. 9 Michigan
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/587660?referrer_id=388419
Minnesota (6-7-0 overall, 2-0-0-0 Big Ten) vs. No 9 Michigan (8-2-3 overall, 1-0-1-1 Big Ten)
Date: Friday, Dec. 11
Location: Yost Ice Arena | Ann Arbor, Mich.
Puck Drop: 6:02 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Location: Yost Ice Arena | Ann Arbor, Mich.
Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPNews
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
Inside the Matchup
Minnesota and Michigan have been playing each other since 1923. The Gophers hold a 134-120-14 record against the Wolverines.
Minnesota has won three straight against the Wolverines, including a 4-2 victory to capture the Big Ten Tournament title last March.
This matchup features two of the winningest coaches in college hockey. Don Lucia is third among active coaches with 680 career victories. Michigan’s Red Berenson has a gaudy 818 wins, which ranks second.
Tyler Sheehy was honored as the Big Ten First Star of the Week for his four-point weekend against Ohio State. The freshman forward scored three goals and added an assist in the sweep over OSU.
Michigan’s Justin Selman was named Big Ten Second Star of the Week. The senior notched a four-point weekend (3g, 1a) to help the Maize and Blue capture five points against the Wisconsin Badgers.
Storyline Central
Drew Claussen of USCHO.com examines flaws that have plagued Michigan and Minnesota during the first half of the season.
Michigan switched up its top two lines last weekend and the new pairings were involved in nine of the 12 goals against Wisconsin. Minh Doan of the Michigan Daily recaps the successful shuffle by head coach Red Berenson.
Nate Wells of SB Nation reviews Ryan Collins being named to the preliminary roster for the U-20 World Junior Championship team.
Notes and Quotes
Don Lucia
On the goals for finishing up the first half of the season:
“We’re one point ahead and the goal is to be ahead of Michigan when we get out of there. We know it’s not going to be easy. We’ve played there four times in the Big Ten and have one overtime win. It’s not an easy place to play. We want to continue to build our game. We want to continue to get better.
“Obviously we want to try and get points this weekend. Get deep into games and give ourselves a chance to win. Friday night we did that last year when we were there. Saturday night we came out and didn’t manage the puck very well. All of a sudden you’re chasing the scoreboard and ended up getting beat 7-3.”
On what makes Yost Ice Arena a difficult place to play:
“The team, they play with great energy. You have to get through the first 10 minutes of the game—it’s critical. I don’t know if anybody comes out harder than they do when games begin. The crowd is right on top of you. I think it’s a great environment to play in. Even back when I was a player, it was one of the favorite buildings I had on the road to play in. I feel the same way with coaching. You’re playing against an elite program. You’re playing against elite players. A really good coaching staff. You have to be at your best so it’s a great measuring stick.”
Connor Reilly
On preparing for Michigan’s speed and transition:
“We know they are fast paced and score a lot of goals. We’re preparing by focusing on managing the puck this week. We have to play with a lot of pace—all four lines do. They’re always a great team and a great test for us, especially in their building. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
On what makes Yost Ice Arena a difficult place to play:
“Their fans are pretty intense. Just the overall atmosphere. You can feel the tradition in the rink. Their fans are right on top of you. They do their homework with custom signs on each player, that’s always fun to see.”
On getting points this weekend to end the first half:
“You definitely want to go to break feeling good about ourselves. At the end of the day we want to out-compete and outwork them. We’re going to have to play smart. You don’t want to go into break not feeling good about yourself, feeling like you left anything on the table because we’re going to get time to rest and recover. We’re definitely not going to leave anything on the table.”
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/587660?referrer_id=388419
Minnesota (6-7-0 overall, 2-0-0-0 Big Ten) vs. No 9 Michigan (8-2-3 overall, 1-0-1-1 Big Ten)
Date: Friday, Dec. 11
Location: Yost Ice Arena | Ann Arbor, Mich.
Puck Drop: 6:02 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Location: Yost Ice Arena | Ann Arbor, Mich.
Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPNews
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
Inside the Matchup
Minnesota and Michigan have been playing each other since 1923. The Gophers hold a 134-120-14 record against the Wolverines.
Minnesota has won three straight against the Wolverines, including a 4-2 victory to capture the Big Ten Tournament title last March.
This matchup features two of the winningest coaches in college hockey. Don Lucia is third among active coaches with 680 career victories. Michigan’s Red Berenson has a gaudy 818 wins, which ranks second.
Tyler Sheehy was honored as the Big Ten First Star of the Week for his four-point weekend against Ohio State. The freshman forward scored three goals and added an assist in the sweep over OSU.
Michigan’s Justin Selman was named Big Ten Second Star of the Week. The senior notched a four-point weekend (3g, 1a) to help the Maize and Blue capture five points against the Wisconsin Badgers.
Storyline Central
Drew Claussen of USCHO.com examines flaws that have plagued Michigan and Minnesota during the first half of the season.
Michigan switched up its top two lines last weekend and the new pairings were involved in nine of the 12 goals against Wisconsin. Minh Doan of the Michigan Daily recaps the successful shuffle by head coach Red Berenson.
Nate Wells of SB Nation reviews Ryan Collins being named to the preliminary roster for the U-20 World Junior Championship team.
Notes and Quotes
Don Lucia
On the goals for finishing up the first half of the season:
“We’re one point ahead and the goal is to be ahead of Michigan when we get out of there. We know it’s not going to be easy. We’ve played there four times in the Big Ten and have one overtime win. It’s not an easy place to play. We want to continue to build our game. We want to continue to get better.
“Obviously we want to try and get points this weekend. Get deep into games and give ourselves a chance to win. Friday night we did that last year when we were there. Saturday night we came out and didn’t manage the puck very well. All of a sudden you’re chasing the scoreboard and ended up getting beat 7-3.”
On what makes Yost Ice Arena a difficult place to play:
“The team, they play with great energy. You have to get through the first 10 minutes of the game—it’s critical. I don’t know if anybody comes out harder than they do when games begin. The crowd is right on top of you. I think it’s a great environment to play in. Even back when I was a player, it was one of the favorite buildings I had on the road to play in. I feel the same way with coaching. You’re playing against an elite program. You’re playing against elite players. A really good coaching staff. You have to be at your best so it’s a great measuring stick.”
Connor Reilly
On preparing for Michigan’s speed and transition:
“We know they are fast paced and score a lot of goals. We’re preparing by focusing on managing the puck this week. We have to play with a lot of pace—all four lines do. They’re always a great team and a great test for us, especially in their building. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
On what makes Yost Ice Arena a difficult place to play:
“Their fans are pretty intense. Just the overall atmosphere. You can feel the tradition in the rink. Their fans are right on top of you. They do their homework with custom signs on each player, that’s always fun to see.”
On getting points this weekend to end the first half:
“You definitely want to go to break feeling good about ourselves. At the end of the day we want to out-compete and outwork them. We’re going to have to play smart. You don’t want to go into break not feeling good about yourself, feeling like you left anything on the table because we’re going to get time to rest and recover. We’re definitely not going to leave anything on the table.”