Minnesota vs. Michigan Tech: Minnesota is 169-76-15 all-time against Michigan Tech and owns a 100-28-3 home record against the Huskies. Minnesota is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games against Michigan Tech and has won five straight against the Huskies (all five games were in Houghton, Mich.) by a combined score 18-9. Minnesota traveled to Michigan Tech earlier this season on Nov. 19-20 and won 6-4 and 4-1. It was the last time that Minnesota swept a series. Thirteen of Minnesota's 19 skaters who played in the series had at least one point. Mike Hoeffel led the Gophers with four goals and one assist in series, while Jay Barriball and Erik Haula each added three assists. Jake Hansen had two goals and Nick Bjugstad, Jacob Cepis, Cade Fairchild and Aaron Ness all had two points. Kent Patterson stopped a combined 49 shots to win both games.
About The Huskies: Michigan Tech comes into Mariucci Arena one week removed from its first win in more than four months. The Huskies began the year 3-0-2, but went 0-23-2 in their next 25 games before shocking then fourth-ranked Denver 3-2 last Friday on the road. DU came back the next night with a 5-1 win to earn the split. The Huskies were shutout six times in their 25-game winless streak and allowed three or more goals against in all but two of those games (both against Bemidji State). They are ranked 55th in the nation in both offense and defense in 2010-11.
Michigan Tech has a very young squad-the freshman and sophomore classes make up two thirds of the roster and account for 53.7% of the team's goals. The Huskies are led in scoring by sophomore Milos Gordic (13g-6a) and freshman Ryan Furne (10g-8a). Senior defenseman Deron Cousens (2g-16a), sophomore blueliner Steven Seigo (4g-13a), and freshman Jacob Johnstone (4g-11a) round out the top five scorers. Seigo has two of the team's four game-winning goals. Between the pipes, sophomore Kevin Genoe has had the lion's share playing time, going 3-14-2 with a 3.59 goals against average and a .893 save percentage.
A Look Ahead: Minnesota has four WCHA games left this season beginning with two games this weekend against Michigan Tech. The Gophers then finish the regular season at Bemidji State on March 4-5. The Gophers have 24 points in WCHA play this year, which puts them in sixth place and would currently give them home in the playoffs. Wisconsin is in fifth place with 25 points, while Colorado College is in seventh place with 24 points.