The Gopher men and women both nailed hot home weekends, the first against an old and bitter foe and the second carving out a new spot atop the record book.
The men's much-anticipated Border Battle with the Wisconsin Badgers began with a 2-2 overtime tie Friday night at Mariucci Arena and ended with a 3-1 win on Saturday. The second game was a classic.
"It was a very good college hockey game," head coach Don Lucia said. "It went down to the third period and for us, it was great to see a guy who doesn't score a lot get a big goal."
That was junior forward Tom Serratore, who potted his first goal since opening weekend, which proved to be the game-winner.
Hot at home: The tie-win weekend means Minnesota is now unbeaten in its last four games. It also means the Gophers are well on their way to establishing the home ice dominance a championship team must have. Saturday's win makes their record at Mariucci 5-0-1.
Tom Serratore scored the winning goal for the Gophers men on Saturday.Serratore snipes one: Going into Saturday's tilt, Serratore had only one goal to his credit this season, from game two against Michigan State back on October 13th. Since then, he's hit everyone in sight and opened up a number of holes for other players while taking the wind out of several opposing checkers. On Friday, he was on the receiving end of a punishing hit by Badgers junior wing Tyler Barnes, a former Burnsville Brave, and had to leave the game. He returned Saturday to score what proved to be the game-winner at 5:59 of the third period.
Women rule: Just hours before the Gophers beat Wisconsin in game two of the Border Battle, the Minnesota women notched their NCAA record-setting 22nd consecutive win. After a 1-1 first period, the Gophers slammed in four in the second to power the win over Minnesota State.
The Gophers women celebrate their 22nd consecutive win.Schedules being what they are, that was the first women's game I've been able to attend. Here are some takeaways:
-- The Gophers skate extremely well and seem to "see" the ice with great precision and creativity.
-- They're so good at both ends of the ice that it's just ridiculous. I imagine they outclass just about every team they play.
-- Freshman Hannah Brandt, the former Hill-Murray star, could have 50 goals by January if she keeps this up -- and that's only a little hyperbole. A true scorer who can play the physical game, too, she's a logical target for defenses. Odd, though, how often she was left uncovered near the net by the Minnesota State defenders on Saturday.
-- Noora Raty (pronounced "Rattoo"), a former member of Finland's National Team, is terrific in goal, plays the angles well and has a solid glove hand.
The Gopher women's games are terrific family events. In addition to the top-flight hockey, I noted a large number of young girls and members of girls' youth teams in attendance. What was so cool was watching them check out the photo displays of past teams, groove to the 60-piece band and generally soak up the atmosphere. Quite a few are now dreaming of playing on Ridder Arena ice when they're older. That's how great hockey traditions are built and the Minnesota women really have it down.
I hope I can get to another game soon. They're at New Hampshire this coming weekend, but will be back home to resume the Border Battle with Wisconsin on Saturday and Sunday, December 1-2 (2 p.m. both days). It's well worth your time to go!
