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Pride on Ice Preview: Gophers Need Big Ten Tournament Title to Extend Season
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/626742?referrer_id=388419
Game 36: Minnesota vs. OSU/MSU (Semifinal)
Location: Xcel Energy Center | St. Paul, Minn.
Date: Friday, March 18
Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
Inside the Matchup
This year’s Big Ten Tournament could look similar to last season for the Gophers. En route to their first tournament title in their new conference, Minnesota played Ohio State in their first game and topped Michigan, 4-2, for the championship. The way the bracket is set up this year, the Gophers could see both the Buckeyes and Wolverines.
Ohio State and Michigan State are Minnesota’s possible opponents in the semifinal matchup. This is good news for the Gophers as they’re 7-1 against both foes, although three games against Ohio State made it to overtime.
Michigan is the only sure team in the tournament that will make the NCAA Tournament if they fail to win this weekend. That means the five other schools will be playing to extend their season. Lose and go home.
Speaking of Michigan, they boast a trio of Hobey Baker Award Finalists. Kyle Connor (30 goals, 61 points), JT Compher (13 goals, 52 points), and Tyler Motte (29 goals, 50 points) make up the Wolverines’ top line and are a formidable group for any team in the country.
At the end of the year, momentum weighs heavily into win-or-go-home games. No team in the conference is riding a hot streak, and only Michigan has a won two games in a row entering this weekend. It’s certainly anyone’s tournament.
Should the Gophers win, they’ll play for the the Big Ten Championship at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Storyline Central
Heading into the Big Ten Tournament, Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press takes a look at what he sees as widening gap between the NCHC and the Big Ten.
Ryan Lund of Fox Sports has some short capsules of each conference team heading into the tournament.
Michigan State, one of Minnesota’s potential opponents, has an experienced team with one hope of extending their season. Jesse O’Brien of the Lansing State Journal looks at the Spartan seniors and their desire to pull off the upset this weekend.
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/626742?referrer_id=388419
Game 36: Minnesota vs. OSU/MSU (Semifinal)
Location: Xcel Energy Center | St. Paul, Minn.
Date: Friday, March 18
Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
Inside the Matchup
This year’s Big Ten Tournament could look similar to last season for the Gophers. En route to their first tournament title in their new conference, Minnesota played Ohio State in their first game and topped Michigan, 4-2, for the championship. The way the bracket is set up this year, the Gophers could see both the Buckeyes and Wolverines.
Ohio State and Michigan State are Minnesota’s possible opponents in the semifinal matchup. This is good news for the Gophers as they’re 7-1 against both foes, although three games against Ohio State made it to overtime.
Michigan is the only sure team in the tournament that will make the NCAA Tournament if they fail to win this weekend. That means the five other schools will be playing to extend their season. Lose and go home.
Speaking of Michigan, they boast a trio of Hobey Baker Award Finalists. Kyle Connor (30 goals, 61 points), JT Compher (13 goals, 52 points), and Tyler Motte (29 goals, 50 points) make up the Wolverines’ top line and are a formidable group for any team in the country.
At the end of the year, momentum weighs heavily into win-or-go-home games. No team in the conference is riding a hot streak, and only Michigan has a won two games in a row entering this weekend. It’s certainly anyone’s tournament.
Should the Gophers win, they’ll play for the the Big Ten Championship at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Storyline Central
Heading into the Big Ten Tournament, Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press takes a look at what he sees as widening gap between the NCHC and the Big Ten.
Ryan Lund of Fox Sports has some short capsules of each conference team heading into the tournament.
Michigan State, one of Minnesota’s potential opponents, has an experienced team with one hope of extending their season. Jesse O’Brien of the Lansing State Journal looks at the Spartan seniors and their desire to pull off the upset this weekend.
