Gophers win first hardware of 2013-14 with depth: Don Lucia had to replace some significant firepower with the departure to the pro ranks last spring of the heard of his junior class, which was the heart of the team. Last weekend showed that a new group of veterans has stepped up to provide leadership. And as for #5 Minnesota’s highly-touted recruiting class? The kids are all right.
Four freshmen cashed in for their first collegiate goals. Justin Kloos and Michael Brodzinski scored in the 6-0 romp over Mercyhurst Friday night. Then Vinni Lettieri and Hudson Fasching lit the lamp for the first time in Saturday’s 3-2 championship win against #12/13 New Hampshire.
Whether the Gophers have a 25-goal scorer this season is an unknown – Lucia has said he doesn’t think they do – but where goals will come from is another matter. The answer looks to be everywhere. Scoring depth does not appear to be an issue this year. It’s early, of course, but in the first two games, eight different Gophers accounted for the nine goals scored. All four lines and two defensemen chipped in.
Warning lights the lamp: Junior left wing Sam Warning ignited the Minnesota defense early, scoring a goal in each game including the game tying goal Saturday. He finished the tournament with two goals, four shots, +2 and the All Tournament MVP Award.
Wilcox Just Keeps Rolling: Goalie Adam Wilcox picked up where he left off last season, when he won 25 games and led the WCHA with a 1.88 goals-against average. He shut out Mercyhurst 6- Friday night, stopping 25 shots and earning the game’s third star. On Saturday Wilcox turned away 21 New Hampshire shots in a narrow win.
Line changes minimal: As always, Lucia is in the pleasant position of having so many quality players who are ready to go and want to play that he can’t get them all into the lineup at once. A herd of forwards and at least seven defensemen are ready for nightly play right now, which is why the Gopher lines changed slightly from Friday to Saturday. Rookies Jake Bischoff (son of former Gopher sharpshooter Grant), Vinni Lettieri (son of ex-Minnesota Kicks goalkeeper Tino and grandson of Gopher legend Lou Nanne) and Connor Reilly (brother of Mike, having sat out last season with an injury) all cracked the lineup for the first time against Ne Hampshire in the title tilt.
Here’s how the lines looked Friday and Saturday nights:
FRIDAY LINES vs. MERCYHURST
Sam Warning Kyle Rau Hudson Fasching Nate Condon Justin Kloos Taylor Cammarata Christian Isackson Travis Boyd Vinni Lettieri Tom Serratore A. J. Michaelson Seth Ambroz
Brady Skjei Justin Holl Mike Reilly Jake Parenteau Ben Marshall Michael Brodzinski
Adam Wilcox
SATURDAY LINES vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE
Warning Rau Fasching Condon Kloos Cammarata Connor Reilly Boyd Vinni Lettieri Serratore Michaelson Ambroz
Skjei Holl M. Reilly Parenteau Jake Bischoff Marshall
Wilcox
Here’s the Ice Breaker All Tournament Team:
Forwards: Sam Warning, UM Kyle Rau, UM Hudson Fasching, UM
Defensemen: Eric Knodel, New Hampshire Trevor Van Riemsdyk, New Hampshire
Goalie: Adam Wilcox, UM
Tournament MVP: Sam Warning, UM
Join DOUG McLEOD for Gopher hockey play-by-play next weekend at Bemidji State on Fox Sports North.
