It's Gameday!!
Tonight's tilt is one of the classic matchups of the season. Over the years, the Gophers/Mavs rivalry has generally been marked by speed, physicality and tenacity. I'll never forget the gritty battles of the 2008 WCHA playoffs when these teams locked horns and went a record 6 OTs in two nights.
This game has a little different twist to it than in years past. The MSUM Mavericks are currently for the first time flying high as the #1 team in the nation and have the best winning percentage since entering D1 men's hockey as an independent in 1996-97. Credit Mike Hastings for compiling a better record in his first three seasons than any other coach in their program's history. IMO the man is a lock for 2015 Spencer Penrose NCAA D1 Coach of the Year Award.
The Mavs roll into the X 11-1-1 in their last 13 games compared to a 4-9-0 record (inc. U18, 2 shootouts loses) for the Gophers. Offensively, both veteran teams match up well averaging over 3Gs/game, but defensively the Mavs have the edge allowing only 2Gs/game vs the Gophers nearly 3Gs. Stephon Williams (NYI) is having an outstanding season between the pipes for the Mavs and holds a commanding edge in GAA with his college career best 1.71 over Adam Wilcox's (TBL) 2.45.
The Gophers have struggled burying the puck over the past several games as well as closing teams out; and are only 3-4 in one goal games vs the Mavs 4-1. The difference has been the Gophers typically come out of the gate with guns blazing in the first period, while the Mavs seem to improve as the game progresses and are statistically the stronger scoring team in the third period. Secondly, the Mavs are 6th in the nation in even strength goals vs the Gophers, who tend to rely too much on PPGs, currently parked at #25.
There's no question, this is THE most important game the Minnesota Golden Gophers will play this regular season. With the Mavs sitting on top the PWR, the Gophers (PWR #19) obviously have much more at stake riding on Friday's outcome. If they win, they dramatically increase their chances of climbing back into the 16 team tournament field. If they lose while other surrounding TUCs with relatively weak game schedules win this weekend, the Gophers will continue to descend into the pairwise basement.
Although Adam Wilcox has shown some flaws lately, he'll be fired up and I suspect we'll see a duel between two excellent goalies. My three keys for success for the Golden Gophers tonight are: 1) play shutdown D, 2) keep Mav shots on the perimeter, and 3) create scoring chances on Williams's in close and shoot with accuracy (pick your spot!!).
In an intrastate battle like this anything can happen. If the Gophers can keep it tight for 60 min. and Wilcox is on, a Gopher upset is a very real possibility. Go Gophers!
