Unanimous first choice of the pollsters: The Gophers are the unanimous #1 pick of voters in both the major national college hockey polls. Here’s how the top ten shake out:
USCHO Rankings:
1. MINNESOTA2. Notre Dame3. Providence4. Michigan 5. North Dakota6. Miami (Ohio)7. Quinnipiac8. Boston College9. St. Cloud State10. Rensselaer
USA Today/USA Hockey Poll:
1. MINNESOTA2. Notre Dame3. Providence4. Michigan5. Miami (Ohio)6. North Dakota7. Boston College8. St. Cloud State9. Quinnipiac10. Rensselaer
A week off (more or less) before another ranked opponent: This is an off week for the Gophers and they can use it. Assorted early-season injuries need some time to heal. Notably, defenseman Jake Parenteau, who slammed into the boards hard on Friday night against Boston College and was forced to sit out Sunday afternoon’s rematch. He’s day-to-day, according to head coach Don Lucia.
Also mending: freshman defenseman Jake Bischoff, who played Sunday with a tender hand and will use this time to get it stronger. Good thing he played, though. Bischoff, who has been a second-game-of-a-series roster player thus far, scored his first collegiate goal at 9:30 of the third period, the last in Minnesota’s 6-1 drubbing of the Eagles.
While they don’t play for some time this will hardly be a week of rest. The Gophers will need to practice hard and smart because when they jump back into their schedule it’s for a weekend trip to Lucia’s alma mater, #2 Notre Dame.
I’ll preview the Irish in a blog closer to the game. Suffice to say: #1 at #2 ought to rock the house in South Bend. Sorry to day I won’t be there. At least one of the games will be on cable but check your listings to confirm.
Doug McLeod is the voice of Gopher hockey on Fox Sports North.
