RIVALRY RENEWED: GOPHERS/UND UP NEXT
Oct. 18, 2017
2017-18 Gopher Hockey
Game 5 No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 4 North Dakota
Date Friday, Oct. 20, 2017
Time 7:30 p.m. CT
TV Midco Sports Network (Channel Finder)
Stream NCHC.tv
Radio 1130 KTLK-AM, 103.5 FM
Game 6 No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 4 North Dakota
Date Saturday, Oct. 21 , 2017
Time 7:00 p.m. CT
TV Midco Sports Network (Channel Finder)
Stream NCHC.tv
Radio 1130 KTLK-AM, 103.5 FM
Location Ralph Engelstad Arena | Grand Forks, N.D.
Gopher Hockey Live Game 5 | Game 6
Game Notes Minnesota | North Dakota | Big Ten
Social Media @GopherHockey | Facebook | Instagram
Fan Information Weekend Watch Parties at Sensers
MINNEAPOLIS -- One of college hockey's all-time great rivalries will be renewed this weekend when the No. 8 Gopher Hockey program takes on No. 4 North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. The two-game nonconference series kicks off Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT with the finale set for Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
Rivalry Renewed
The Gophers hold a 147-130-16 all-time record against the Fighting Hawks and will be making their first trip to Grand Forks since the 2011-12 season. The two teams met last year in Minneapolis with the Maroon & Gold rallying five times in a 5-5 overtime tie to start the series before shutting out the visitors 2-0 in the finale. Tommy Novak is Minnesota's active leading scorer against the Fighting Hawks with four points (two goals, two assists) in two games while Eric Schierhorn is 1-0-1 against this weekend's opponent.
McManus Earns Big Ten Praise
Freshman forward Brannon McManus was named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week after recording his first career hat trick (and first three career points) in Minnesota's 6-3 win over Penn State on Sunday. McManus, who also earned the game-winning goal in the victory, led all NCAA freshmen in goal scoring last weekend.
Strength of Schedule
Minnesota's schedule is never easy and the start of the 2017-18 campaign is a prime example of that. The first eight games of the Gophers' schedule will come against nationally ranked opponents including this weekend's series at No. 4 North Dakota. Minnesota opened the season against No. 6/12 Minnesota Duluth and followed up against No. 16 Union at the Ice Breaker Tournament before last weekend's Big Ten series against No. 11 Penn State. Next weekend, Minnesota will host No. 10/12 Clarkson at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Family Feud
While none of the current Gophers have played a collegiate game in Grand Forks, junior forward Ryan Norman is entering familiar territory. Norman's father, Todd, played at North Dakota from 1984-86 and recorded 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 61 career games.
Schierhorn Sets Gophers Record
Junior Eric Schierhorn has made 79-straight starts in net for the Gophers and leads all active NCAA netminders in the statistic. The netminder passed John Lothrop (1964-66) for the school record for consecutive starts by a goalie on Sunday. The two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year boasts a 45-31-3 overall record with the Maroon & Gold.
Gophers Picked to Repeat as B1G Champs
The Gophers made NCAA history in 2016-17 as the Maroon & Gold captured their sixth-straight regular-season conference championship including the first four conference titles in Big Ten history (Minnesota also earned WCHA regular-season titles in its final two seasons in the league). The Gophers were selected as the Big Ten favorite again in the 2017-18 Big Ten Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll ahead of Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.
Sheehy Steps Up as Captain
Forward Tyler Sheehy had one of the best individual seasons in recent program history during the 2016-17 campaign. A First Team All-America, the Big Ten Player of the Year and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Sheehy tallied 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) -- the most points in a season by a Gopher since Ryan Potulny notched 63 during the 2005-06 season. Now a junior, Sheehy will serve as team captain for Minnesota this year while Mike Szmatula, Leon Bristedt and Ryan Lindgren will serve as alternate captains.
Fresh Faces on the Roster
A number of newcomers will likely see action for the Maroon & Gold this season including six talented freshmen (Casey Mittelstadt, Scott Reedy, Brannon McManus, Sam Rossini, Nate Knoepke and Cullen Munson). Sophomore goalie Mat Robson also joins the Gophers this year and will be eligible for the second half of the year. Sophomore defenseman Tyler Nannewill compete for Minnesota this year after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules while senior forward Connor Hurley joins the program but will sit out due to NCAA transfer rules.
Minnesota Welcomes Notre Dame to Big Ten
The 2017-18 season will see a seventh team in the Big Ten standings as Notre Dame officially joins the league as an affiliate member. The Gophers are very familiar with the Irish program. Minnesota head coach Don Lucia is a Notre Dame alum, having played for the Irish and graduated in 1981. The two programs have also played each other six-straight seasons heading into the 2017-18 season. The Gophers are 27-15-4 all-time against the Irish. Minnesota will play its newest conference foe for the first time as Big Ten opponents on Nov. 24-25 in South Bend, Ind.
Gophers, 3M Announce Sponsorship Agreement
On July 10, 2017, the University of Minnesota and 3M announced a new sponsorship agreement -- the latest in a 90-year relationship between two of the state's largest institutions. The 14-year, $11.2 million sponsorship of Gopher Athletics includes the naming rights to what was previously known as Mariucci Arena. Keeping the historic Mariucci name, the Gopher Hockey facility will now be known as 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Big Ten's Best
In addition to the first four regular-season titles in Big Ten Conference history, Minnesota also boasts a conference-best record of 55-20-7-0 in 82 regular-season games since the inaugural year of Big Ten play in 2013-14. The Gophers also boast an impressive 31-7-3-0 mark in conference games on home ice and have set and matched a conference single-season record with 14 wins in 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17
Gophers in the NHL Draft
Thirteen current Gophers have had their names called at the NHL Entry Draft including newcomers Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 1st Round, eighth overall), Scott Reedy (2017, 4th Round, 102nd overall) and Connor Hurley (2013, 2nd Round, 38th overall). Mittelstadt is Minnesota's highest current draft pick, the 20th First Round selection in program history and the team's highest draft pick since 2006. Eleven NHL teams hold draft rights for Gophers, led by the Nashville Predators and the Buffalo Sabres with two each.
Our Home, Our Hockey
The Gophers boast an all-time record of 325-130-48 in the 24-year history of 3M Arena at Mariucci (formerly Mariucci Arena). In the last six years, the Maroon & Gold lead the NCAA in home wins (84) and home winning percentage (.746). Minnesota is 31-6-3-0 in Big Ten games on home ice including one victory at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 Hockey City Classic.
Gophers in the NHL
The University of Minnesota boasted 15 alums on NHL rosters as the league began play last week -- Phil Kessel (Pittsburgh), Paul Martin (San Jose), Nick Leddy (New York Islanders), Nate Schmidt (Vegas), Erik Haula (Vegas), Kyle Okposo (Buffalo), Thomas Vanek (Vancouver), Mike Reilly (Minnesota), Brady Skjei (New York Rangers), Nick Bjugstad (Florida), Erik Johnson (Colorado), Aaron Ness (Washington), Alex Goligoski (Arizona), Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg) and Jordan Schroeder (Columbus). Eighteen Gopher Hockey alums played in the NHL last season including Kessel, who won a second-straight Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016-17. The Maroon & Gold have celebrated 112 NHL alums in program history.
http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/101817aad.html
Oct. 18, 2017
2017-18 Gopher Hockey
Game 5 No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 4 North Dakota
Date Friday, Oct. 20, 2017
Time 7:30 p.m. CT
TV Midco Sports Network (Channel Finder)
Stream NCHC.tv
Radio 1130 KTLK-AM, 103.5 FM
Game 6 No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 4 North Dakota
Date Saturday, Oct. 21 , 2017
Time 7:00 p.m. CT
TV Midco Sports Network (Channel Finder)
Stream NCHC.tv
Radio 1130 KTLK-AM, 103.5 FM
Location Ralph Engelstad Arena | Grand Forks, N.D.
Gopher Hockey Live Game 5 | Game 6
Game Notes Minnesota | North Dakota | Big Ten
Social Media @GopherHockey | Facebook | Instagram
Fan Information Weekend Watch Parties at Sensers
MINNEAPOLIS -- One of college hockey's all-time great rivalries will be renewed this weekend when the No. 8 Gopher Hockey program takes on No. 4 North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. The two-game nonconference series kicks off Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT with the finale set for Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
Rivalry Renewed
The Gophers hold a 147-130-16 all-time record against the Fighting Hawks and will be making their first trip to Grand Forks since the 2011-12 season. The two teams met last year in Minneapolis with the Maroon & Gold rallying five times in a 5-5 overtime tie to start the series before shutting out the visitors 2-0 in the finale. Tommy Novak is Minnesota's active leading scorer against the Fighting Hawks with four points (two goals, two assists) in two games while Eric Schierhorn is 1-0-1 against this weekend's opponent.
McManus Earns Big Ten Praise
Freshman forward Brannon McManus was named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week after recording his first career hat trick (and first three career points) in Minnesota's 6-3 win over Penn State on Sunday. McManus, who also earned the game-winning goal in the victory, led all NCAA freshmen in goal scoring last weekend.
Strength of Schedule
Minnesota's schedule is never easy and the start of the 2017-18 campaign is a prime example of that. The first eight games of the Gophers' schedule will come against nationally ranked opponents including this weekend's series at No. 4 North Dakota. Minnesota opened the season against No. 6/12 Minnesota Duluth and followed up against No. 16 Union at the Ice Breaker Tournament before last weekend's Big Ten series against No. 11 Penn State. Next weekend, Minnesota will host No. 10/12 Clarkson at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Family Feud
While none of the current Gophers have played a collegiate game in Grand Forks, junior forward Ryan Norman is entering familiar territory. Norman's father, Todd, played at North Dakota from 1984-86 and recorded 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 61 career games.
Schierhorn Sets Gophers Record
Junior Eric Schierhorn has made 79-straight starts in net for the Gophers and leads all active NCAA netminders in the statistic. The netminder passed John Lothrop (1964-66) for the school record for consecutive starts by a goalie on Sunday. The two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year boasts a 45-31-3 overall record with the Maroon & Gold.
Gophers Picked to Repeat as B1G Champs
The Gophers made NCAA history in 2016-17 as the Maroon & Gold captured their sixth-straight regular-season conference championship including the first four conference titles in Big Ten history (Minnesota also earned WCHA regular-season titles in its final two seasons in the league). The Gophers were selected as the Big Ten favorite again in the 2017-18 Big Ten Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll ahead of Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.
Sheehy Steps Up as Captain
Forward Tyler Sheehy had one of the best individual seasons in recent program history during the 2016-17 campaign. A First Team All-America, the Big Ten Player of the Year and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Sheehy tallied 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) -- the most points in a season by a Gopher since Ryan Potulny notched 63 during the 2005-06 season. Now a junior, Sheehy will serve as team captain for Minnesota this year while Mike Szmatula, Leon Bristedt and Ryan Lindgren will serve as alternate captains.
Fresh Faces on the Roster
A number of newcomers will likely see action for the Maroon & Gold this season including six talented freshmen (Casey Mittelstadt, Scott Reedy, Brannon McManus, Sam Rossini, Nate Knoepke and Cullen Munson). Sophomore goalie Mat Robson also joins the Gophers this year and will be eligible for the second half of the year. Sophomore defenseman Tyler Nannewill compete for Minnesota this year after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules while senior forward Connor Hurley joins the program but will sit out due to NCAA transfer rules.
Minnesota Welcomes Notre Dame to Big Ten
The 2017-18 season will see a seventh team in the Big Ten standings as Notre Dame officially joins the league as an affiliate member. The Gophers are very familiar with the Irish program. Minnesota head coach Don Lucia is a Notre Dame alum, having played for the Irish and graduated in 1981. The two programs have also played each other six-straight seasons heading into the 2017-18 season. The Gophers are 27-15-4 all-time against the Irish. Minnesota will play its newest conference foe for the first time as Big Ten opponents on Nov. 24-25 in South Bend, Ind.
Gophers, 3M Announce Sponsorship Agreement
On July 10, 2017, the University of Minnesota and 3M announced a new sponsorship agreement -- the latest in a 90-year relationship between two of the state's largest institutions. The 14-year, $11.2 million sponsorship of Gopher Athletics includes the naming rights to what was previously known as Mariucci Arena. Keeping the historic Mariucci name, the Gopher Hockey facility will now be known as 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Big Ten's Best
In addition to the first four regular-season titles in Big Ten Conference history, Minnesota also boasts a conference-best record of 55-20-7-0 in 82 regular-season games since the inaugural year of Big Ten play in 2013-14. The Gophers also boast an impressive 31-7-3-0 mark in conference games on home ice and have set and matched a conference single-season record with 14 wins in 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17
Gophers in the NHL Draft
Thirteen current Gophers have had their names called at the NHL Entry Draft including newcomers Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 1st Round, eighth overall), Scott Reedy (2017, 4th Round, 102nd overall) and Connor Hurley (2013, 2nd Round, 38th overall). Mittelstadt is Minnesota's highest current draft pick, the 20th First Round selection in program history and the team's highest draft pick since 2006. Eleven NHL teams hold draft rights for Gophers, led by the Nashville Predators and the Buffalo Sabres with two each.
Our Home, Our Hockey
The Gophers boast an all-time record of 325-130-48 in the 24-year history of 3M Arena at Mariucci (formerly Mariucci Arena). In the last six years, the Maroon & Gold lead the NCAA in home wins (84) and home winning percentage (.746). Minnesota is 31-6-3-0 in Big Ten games on home ice including one victory at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 Hockey City Classic.
Gophers in the NHL
The University of Minnesota boasted 15 alums on NHL rosters as the league began play last week -- Phil Kessel (Pittsburgh), Paul Martin (San Jose), Nick Leddy (New York Islanders), Nate Schmidt (Vegas), Erik Haula (Vegas), Kyle Okposo (Buffalo), Thomas Vanek (Vancouver), Mike Reilly (Minnesota), Brady Skjei (New York Rangers), Nick Bjugstad (Florida), Erik Johnson (Colorado), Aaron Ness (Washington), Alex Goligoski (Arizona), Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg) and Jordan Schroeder (Columbus). Eighteen Gopher Hockey alums played in the NHL last season including Kessel, who won a second-straight Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016-17. The Maroon & Gold have celebrated 112 NHL alums in program history.
http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/101817aad.html
