Grant_Erickson
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In a crucial conference game, Minnesota allowed Michigan to score just 14 seconds into the game and the Wolverines never looked back, topping the Gophers 5-3. After beating No. 1 St. Cloud last weekend, the Gophers were disappointed in the effort.
“We’re just not playing good enough,” said Leon Bristedt. “Maybe we got a little better [in the second period] and we played maybe closer to where we’re supposed to be, but we’ve got to be responsible for this.”
Quick Goal
It was the worst possible way to start against a skilled Michigan team as the Wolverines found the back of the net just 14 seconds into the first. Minnesota was able to tie it 1-1, but the early damage was already done.
“We had a bad start, and it kind of went downhill from there,” said Don Lucia. “If you’re Michigan, you couldn’t have drew it up any better there. Create a turnover in the neutral zone and come in and score on your first shot...They were the team that deserved to win the game.”
Upperclassmen Struggle
Throughout the season, Minnesota’s offensive leaders have been relatively quiet. Last year’s leading scorer Tyler Sheehy has just 15 points in 23 games while Leon Bristedt is struggling even more with only five points in 24 games. Each tallied an assist Friday, but Sheehy ended the night a game-worst -3.
“When your top guys are -2 and -3, it’s just not a good recipe to win,” said Lucia.
The always-honest Bristedt put it more bluntly after the game.
“Bottom line is we’re not playing good enough,” said Bristedt. “The captains, myself we older guys have to make sure we bring experience. We’re not scoring at the pace we should or we’re used to. We’ve got to pick our game up.”
Freshmen Light the Lamp
As Minnesota’s upperclassmen struggled, their freshmen kept them in the game. Casey Mittelstadt, Scott Reedy, and Brannon McManus all lit the lamp to give the Gophers a chance. The highlight was another snipe from Mittelstadt on the rush.
By The Numbers
14 Seconds into the game when Michigan found the back of the net. Minnesota responded quickly, but a tough way to start the series at home.
29 Scoreless power play attempts for Minnesota was finally broken when the Gophers hit paydirt with the man advantage in the second period. What a disastrous streak for such a skilled team.
19 Shots for the Wolverines, yet five goals (including one empty-netter). It wasn’t really a lack of goaltending, a couple nice shots by Michigan and a fluky bounce were all the visitors needed.
Three Stars
3 Michigan swept the three stars on Friday. Brendan Warren was the third star with two goals.
2 Tony Calderone added two assists.
1 One of the youngest players in the country - freshman Michael Pastujov - came into the weekend with just one point in six games but tallied a goal and an assist in the victory.
What’s Next
The Gophers will look to salvage the series tomorrow evening at 7pm.
“We’re just not playing good enough,” said Leon Bristedt. “Maybe we got a little better [in the second period] and we played maybe closer to where we’re supposed to be, but we’ve got to be responsible for this.”
Quick Goal
It was the worst possible way to start against a skilled Michigan team as the Wolverines found the back of the net just 14 seconds into the first. Minnesota was able to tie it 1-1, but the early damage was already done.
“We had a bad start, and it kind of went downhill from there,” said Don Lucia. “If you’re Michigan, you couldn’t have drew it up any better there. Create a turnover in the neutral zone and come in and score on your first shot...They were the team that deserved to win the game.”
Upperclassmen Struggle
Throughout the season, Minnesota’s offensive leaders have been relatively quiet. Last year’s leading scorer Tyler Sheehy has just 15 points in 23 games while Leon Bristedt is struggling even more with only five points in 24 games. Each tallied an assist Friday, but Sheehy ended the night a game-worst -3.
“When your top guys are -2 and -3, it’s just not a good recipe to win,” said Lucia.
The always-honest Bristedt put it more bluntly after the game.
“Bottom line is we’re not playing good enough,” said Bristedt. “The captains, myself we older guys have to make sure we bring experience. We’re not scoring at the pace we should or we’re used to. We’ve got to pick our game up.”
Freshmen Light the Lamp
As Minnesota’s upperclassmen struggled, their freshmen kept them in the game. Casey Mittelstadt, Scott Reedy, and Brannon McManus all lit the lamp to give the Gophers a chance. The highlight was another snipe from Mittelstadt on the rush.
By The Numbers
14 Seconds into the game when Michigan found the back of the net. Minnesota responded quickly, but a tough way to start the series at home.
29 Scoreless power play attempts for Minnesota was finally broken when the Gophers hit paydirt with the man advantage in the second period. What a disastrous streak for such a skilled team.
19 Shots for the Wolverines, yet five goals (including one empty-netter). It wasn’t really a lack of goaltending, a couple nice shots by Michigan and a fluky bounce were all the visitors needed.
Three Stars
3 Michigan swept the three stars on Friday. Brendan Warren was the third star with two goals.
2 Tony Calderone added two assists.
1 One of the youngest players in the country - freshman Michael Pastujov - came into the weekend with just one point in six games but tallied a goal and an assist in the victory.
What’s Next
The Gophers will look to salvage the series tomorrow evening at 7pm.