Showdown In Minneapolis Against The Gophers

From: Minnesota Game Notes

Minnesota (0-1-1, 0-1-1) vs. Denver (2-2, 0-0)
Date: Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24
Time: 6 p.m. MST
Location: Mariucci Arena (10,000)
Series History: Minnesota leads 91-64-12
Radio: KYCR 1570 AM (tape on Sat.)
Television: Fox Sports North (tape on Sat.)

Intro

Minnesota takes the Mariucci Arena ice for the first time in the regular season this weekend when the Gophers host Denver in a two-game series. For the second straight week, the Gophers take on an opponent ranked in the top five of the national rankings. It is the second of four conference series to open the season for Minnesota.

Last Time Out

Minnesota rallied for a 3-3 tie on Saturday at North Dakota after dropping the opening game of the series 4-0 on Friday. Mike Hoeffel scored two goals, including a shorthanded goal, and Jay Barriball also scored for the Gophers. Kent Patterson made 31 saves in goal for Minnesota. The Gophers got 39 saves from Alex Kangas in Friday night's loss.

Series History
The Gophers lead the all-time series over the Pioneers 91-64-12. The teams split their two games last year in Denver with Minnesota winning 5-2 and Denver taking a 4-0 victory to snap the Gophers' 11-game unbeaten streak to open the season. The Pioneers are making their first regular season visit to Mariucci Arena since Nov. 2-4, 2007, though they did participate in the NCAA West Regional at Mariucci last March, losing 4-2 to Miami (Ohio). Minnesota's win over Denver last November snapped a five-game winless streak against the Pioneers as Denver is 6-3-1 in the last 10 meetings.