Pride on Ice Preview: Gophers, Minnesota State Set for Home-and-Home Series

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Pride on Ice Preview: Gophers, Minnesota State Set for Home-and-Home Series
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/723619?referrer_id=331171

No. 15 Minnesota State (7-4-1 overall, 5-4-1 WCHA) vs. No. 7 Minnesota (4-2-2 overall, 0-0-0 Big Ten)

Date: Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
Location: Verizon Center | Mankato, Minn.
Puck Drop: 7:07 p.m. CT
TV: FOX Sports North
Stream: FOX Sports Go
Radio: MyTalk 107.1 FM, Gopher Radio Network

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016
Location: Mariucci Arena | Minneapolis, Minn.
Puck Drop: 8:05 p.m. CT
Stream: BTN PLUS
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
As is the case for most teams the Gophers play, they have a strong advantage in the all-time series. Minnesota holds the 36-13-6 edge over the Mavericks.

Minnesota State, however, has won three of the last four meetings.

The Mavericks had a similar last outing to the Gophers. MSU played to a tie against Bemidji in the opener, but won the next game to take the series.

Keep an eye out for No. 19 Brad McClure. Mankato’s forward isn’t their leader in points, but has generated 43 shots this year. Anyone with a willingness to fire the puck like that can be dangerous.

The Gophers and Mavericks have one common opponent so far; St. Cloud State. Mankato swept the Huskies, while Minnesota lost both its meetings.

STORYLINE CENTRAL
Shane Frederick of the Mankato Free Press details how few tickets are left for Friday’s matchup in Mankato. Playing in-state games on the road always bring out loud, rowdy crowds, and the series opener will be no different.

The Gophers have been...not great against in-state opponents recently. Over the past two seasons, they’re just 1-9 against other Minnesota teams. Drew Cove of the Daily has a nice story of the Gophers’ quest for dominance in their state.

Similar to last series against North Dakota, it’s always good to take a visual look back at some of the fonder memories from years past. When thinking of Gophers vs. Mavericks, Kyle Okposo’s filthy, between-the-legs goal ranks up there.

It’s no Minnesota-UND rivalry, but this scrum after Blake Wheeler crashed hard into the MSU goalie is a fun one. The Gophers came back to force a 5-5 that night, scoring a victory in the Saturday series finale.

QUOTES
Don Lucia
Thoughts on the matchup:
“We had good success last year when we went down to Mankato. We’re going to follow the same routine, heading down there tomorrow night after practice and getting a good skate in the morning. Sure they’re going to be hungry after losing in overtime and tieing last weekend. Mankato, obviously well coached. Very experienced, older junior guys. They play a good skating game. They don’t give you much time and space. Two good goaltenders. Obviously, we’re going to have to play well.”

On going from the Olympic-sized rink to NHL-sized rink:
“We started on the NHL rink last Friday for our practice. We’ve been at Ridder all week for that reason, since they shrunk their rink. Since we’re on Olympic mostly, we’d rather flip it and make sure we’re on an NHL-sized rink this week. We’re going to go on the road next week and be on the same thing.”
 

Coyle should do a clean sweep of all three big sport coaches.
 

Excepting that pesky goal scoring skill, the Gophers played well in their 1-0 win over Mankato tonight. Minnesota dominated the second period and the first half of the third before Mankato finally ramped up the pressure.
 




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