Gophers Gear Up for Border Battle!

It was four score and six years ago that the Minnesota Golden Gopher/Wisconsin Badger hockey rivalry began on an undoubtedly outdoor rink with strikingly few advertisements adorning it. One must wonder how many pairs of lips were left frosted onto the mouthpieces of the horn players for each team's band.

Four score and six years. That's 86 years ago for those of you who always wondered what sort of "game" Abe Lincoln may have been referring to during the Gettysburg Address in which he began with a mysterious reference to a team of his dad's that allegedly scored 4 times in a game a handful of years prior?

In any case, the two teams (The Gophers and Badgers hockey programs, not our 16th President's father Thomas' team) have played each other 249 times.

In 2006, College Hockey News rated the border rivalry the second best in all of collegiate hockey.

What does all this have to do with this Sunday's matchup of our Squirt Gophers against the Hastings Squirt Badgers, you might ask?

Four brief paragraphs on a blog. Don't look any deeper into it than that.

Last week's opponent, the Wolverines, have had the Gophers' number this season so far going 2-0-1 against our men in maroon, just as the Pioneers have had the Wolverines' number, having handed them their only two defeats of the year.

Unfortunately for the Gophers, the Wolverines can't face the Pioneers every week and they'll host a nonconference game Sunday against an unknown Rosemount team. And equally unfortunate for the Gophers fans keeping track so far this season, the Wolverines have been beating nonconference opponents like they caught them stealing their Rock Band guitar and drum sets out from under their Christmas trees on Christmas Eve while simultaneously devouring down the cookies and milk so carefully left for the obese and curiously dressed seasonal gift giver. And as any parent of a 10 or 11 year old knows, separating them from the life-giving glow of the mystical video game machines is akin to purging their lungs of the very air they breathe...

But I digress.

Our Gophers enter this weekend's game against the Badgers in 2nd place in the conference and eager to erase the memory of last week's Wolverine whalloping, in which they gave up a season-high 5 consecutive goals before closing to within a goal near the end of regulation. The Badgers enter the game on the heels of a 4-2 loss to the Pioneers. Ironically the Badgers have played their best hockey against the Wolverines and Pioneers, two very good hockey teams in their own right.

And so, following in the tiny clawed footsteps of last week's fur-flying foray against the Wolverines, in another battle of large clawed, digging animals, our little golden rodents will lace up their skates and tunnel forward to engage in a hockey battle, against a somewhat smaller but arguably equally ferocious forest denizen, the Badgers.

Badgers aren't actually rodents or else I may find comparisons of them to overgrown rats with bad attitudes. Alas, they're Mustelids like ferrets, and therefore more closely related to dogs.

The Badgers have scored more than 2 goals in only 2 games this season. Compare that with the Gophers who have scored 3 or more times in 10 of 11 games. But hockey games aren't played on paper. They're not decided by the statistics leading up to the game, or the hype created or the smack talk thrown back and forth.

They're played by teams. Teams of players. Players with pride and with dedication to their teams and with a comradery only earned through the sweat and aching muscles of 3rd period shifts, the deep thirst endured during long, hard, drill-filled practices, and through the frequent changing in and out of often foul-smelling equipment in crowded, dimly lit, always foul-smelling lockerrooms.

Let's review...

1) A score = 20 years, & (What Thomas Lincoln did 4 times??)

2) Stealing video games = bad

3) Badgers = More like dogs than rats (breath is the same)

4) Santa Claus = Shops for clothes at the 2nd hand store, needs to shop at 2nd Wind Exercise

5) Lockerrooms = Foul Smelling

6) Great Fun = Youth Hockey in Hastings!

GO GOPHERS!!!!

Gophers trapped by Wolverines, fall 5-4 in battle of conference leaders!

The Gophers began their game against the Wolverines much the way they started last week's game against the Pioneers...

They got on the board first and early when they scored just 30 seconds into the game on the very first shot they registered on goal, an unassisted wrister by Sunny, and then led 2-0 with 2:30 left in the first period after Blake collected the rebound of an Anders shot and put it past the Wolverine goalie.

The Gophers were riding high on the same wave of momentum that carried them to victory in consecutive conference clashes against the Sioux and Pioneers, through a seven game conference unbeaten streak, and into first place in the conference.

And this is where the wave of good fortune carrying its Golden Gopher riders weaved its way into Wolverine-infested waters.

Jake's Wolverine counterpart at #8, Zach, scored his first of three goals in the game less than a minute after Blake, and the score at the end of one was 2-1 Gophers. And although the Gophers scored twice in the opening period, they managed only five shots on goal, whereas the Wolverines peppered Gophers goalie Jake eleven times on a half dozen scoring chances.

The second period was a shooting efficiency clinic hosted by the Wolverines, who parked a quintet of unanswered goals in the Gophers' net on an octet of shots. If traditional scorekeeping kept track of shots TOWARDS the goal instead of just the ones ON goal, the Wolverines may have outshot the Gophers by 20 shots. The first goal of the period was Zach's second of the day for the Wolverines, this time on an assist from #10, Alec, who then collected his second assist of the game on Zach's hat trick goal only 6 minutes later to take a lead in the game, halfway through the second, a lead they would not relinquish.

The Wolverines' #9, Austin, scored twice unassisted in a span of 2:03 as the clocked ticked down towards the intermission, and during the fated 2nd period, the Wolverines outshot the Gophers 8 to 6 and all 4 of their goals in the period came from almost identical locations on the ice.

The 23-minute long marathon 3rd period began with the stunned Gophers down 5-2, and although the players hustled on both ends of the ice, their efforts had culminated in only 11 shots on goal through the first 30 minutes of play.

Third period action was up and down the ice with an increased sense of urgency, and the period accounted for half of the Gophers' 22 shots on goal for the game, and half of their goals as well. After battling in the final frame for nearly 8 full minutes, our own number 8 took the puck in unassisted and closed the gap to 5-3 with a wrister that went straight from tape to netting.

As 11 more minutes ticked off the clock, shot after shot was stonewalled by each team's goaltender until Woody fed Sunny in the slot, to earn the assist on Jake's third goal of the game with 4:45 remaining in regulation, and in an odd coincidence marked the 2nd hat trick by a #8 in the game.

Shift after shift fought to earn the equalizer and avoid defeat, but the Wolverines' defense denied the Gophers' assaults on their nets for the remainder of the final four minutes. Goalie Jake raced off the ice to create the 6 on 5 advantage for the final minute, and although they managed several shots, they were unable to get the game-tying goal despite valiant efforts by all.

The Gophers will seek to rebound next week in an afternoon contest against the Badgers who fell 4-2 this week to the Pioneers. They'll begin preparations tonight on Kennedy's outdoor ice in another cold weather, old-time hockey practice.

Spotlight On: Jake, #8

#8 Jacob Sundheim



Gopher Dad: How many years have you been in organized hockey?
Jake: 6 years

Gopher Dad: What are your favorite hockey teams?
Jake: Devils, Capitals, Penguins, Wild

Gopher Dad: Who are your favorite hockey players?
Jake: Sid "The Kid" Crosby, Saku & Mikko Koivu, Simon Gagne, Alex Ovechkin, Cal Clutterbuck, Maurice "The Rocket" Richard

Gopher Dad: What other sports are you in?
Jake: Baseball

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite video game system and game?
Jake: PS2, Madden '09

Gopher Dad: If you could pick your jersey number, what would it be?
Jake: 8 or 22

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite TV show?
Jake: Jeff Dunham

Gopher Dad: What is the last movie you saw in the theater?
Jake: Mall Cop

Gopher Dad: How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Jake: 1 sister

Gopher Dad: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Jake: Hockey player

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite food or snack to eat at a hockey arena?
Jake: Dome Dog

Spotlight On: Jake, #26

#26 Jake Dale



Gopher Dad: How many years have you been in organized hockey?
Jake: Five

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite hockey team?
Jake: Montreal Canadiens

Gopher Dad: Who are your favorite hockey players?
Jake: Maurice Richard, Alex Ovechkin

Gopher Dad: What other sports are you in?
Jake: AA Baseball, Football

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite video game system and game?
Jake: Wii, NHL 2k9

Gopher Dad: If you could pick your jersey number, what would it be?
Jake: 15, 33

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite TV show?
Jake: Sportscenter

Gopher Dad: What is the last movie you saw in the theater?
Jake: Bedtime Stories

Gopher Dad: How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Jake: 1 sister

Gopher Dad: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Jake: Baseball player, Hockey player

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite food or snack to eat at a hockey arena?
Jake: Pizza

Spotlight On: Zach, #10

#10 Zach Sobiech



Gopher Dad: How many years have you been in organized hockey?
Zach: 7

Gopher Dad: What are your favorite hockey teams?
Zach: Wild & Penguins

Gopher Dad: Who is your favorite hockey player?
Zach: Pierre-Marc Bouchard

Gopher Dad: What other sports are you in?
Zach: Baseball

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite video game?
Zach: NHL '08

Gopher Dad: If you could pick your jersey number, what would it be?
Zach: 10

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite TV show?
Zach: Sportscenter

Gopher Dad: What is the last movie you saw in the theater?
Zach: Bedtime Stories

Gopher Dad: How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Zach: 2

Gopher Dad: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Zach: NHL Player

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite food or snack to eat at a hockey arena?
Zach: Hot dog

Gophers Jump Out Early, But Need Big Comeback to Defeat Pioneers 5-3

The Gophers jumped out to an early 2 goal lead against the Pioneers Sunday on an unassisted goal by Zach, and a rebound assist from Jonathon to Joe, and after outshooting their opponents 12-2 in the opening period, it looked as if they'd run away with this game.

But this game was far from over.

The intensity picked up steam like a runaway locomotive, and it was apparent that each Gophers' player would have to dig deep and bring his best effort to the ice until the final buzzer in order to secure a victory against a hungry conference rival.

The Gophers' defensive hustle was on display early in the 2nd period, as the Pioneers' #26 Alex broke away with the puck at the blue line in transition and saw nothing between him and the Gophers' net but 60 feet of Hastings ice and his counterpart at #26, Jake Dale.

Jake edged out of the crease, cutting off the angle as Alex gained speed, but a maroon jersey was suddenly streaking along with him, stride for stride. It was Garrett, determined not to allow the breakaway to go unchallenged. Number 3 was a half stride behind Alex but was reaching as far ahead with his stick as he could, poke-checking with all his might, leaning forward in the effort as he gave all he could to get there defensively and help Jake in keeping any shot out of the net.

No shot was able to be attempted.

Garrett poked the puck away 15 feet from the net, and the rest of the Gophers' defense recovered and the puck was cleared from the zone. And so it went for several minutes, as the Pioneers mounted rush after rush toward the Gophers' zone, and the defense of the Gophers prevented the shot or broke up the pass time after time.

Jonathon also had another big game for the maroon and gold, getting a goal and an assist in the game. His first point of the contest came as he skated the puck toward the Pioneers' goal from near the right face-off circle and flipped a wrister to the glove side. The rebound was collected by Joe who took no time at all in depositing it into the mesh, and earning Jonathon the helper.

After trailing 2-0 through the 1st, the Pioneers got on the board halfway through the 2nd with #10 Dylan putting in an open look off a rebound.

And this is where the momentum changed.

Suddenly the Pioneers were energized. After spending most of the first half of the game in their defensive zone and being outshot in the first two frames by a count of about 22-7, they picked up their intensity, skated harder, and their passes were hitting tape, and their offsides whistles of the first period and a half dissolved into 2 on 2 and 3 on 2 rushes.

Dylan scored the equalizer in the 3rd on a goal the gophers' goalie Jake had in his sights from a long ways out. But this is hockey, where anything can happen, and as Jake went down to cover, the puck somehow found a hole and squirted through! Dylan earned a natural hattrick not long after for his 3rd goal. The Pioneers celebrated and the Gophers found themselves down for the first time in the game, 3-2, and on the wrong side of the momentum swing.

And this is where the game endured another shift in intensity.

Up until 6 minutes to go in the final period, a 22 minute marathon of endurance, the Gophers had only registered a couple shots on goal and were being outshot by a considerable margin in the period. And then they unleashed a barrage of backhands and a flurry of forehands and Jake "Don't call me Sunny D" Sundheim scored a monster goal on a wrap-around to tie the game with just over 4 minutes remaining in regulation.

Jonathon's Game Winning Goal came off a rebound from Zach's shot with only :50.4 left in the game and another Gopher goal was added by Mike on a pretty centering feed through traffic from Jake S. with just :27.4 left to seal the victory and earn 2 conference points, adding to their conference-leading total of 12.

And so the Gophers did it their way again: With defense, teamwork, smart play on both ends of the ice, and solid goaltending. Every Gopher played his heart out in Sunday's game and should be proud. Five different Gophers scored (Zach, Joe, Jacob, Jonathon, Mike) but all 12 players contributed to this win. From Anders, Garrett, Kannon, Sunny and Zach skating down Pioneer wingers from behind, creating turnovers and making great timely passes; to Payton, Brett and Blake playing great team hockey and getting multiple shots on goal. Jake D. regrouped after taking a tough goal, and stood tall in the net, turning away all attempts by the Pioneers at retaking the lead. And other than the fluke 2nd goal that defied logical probability, both goals scored against him were rebound goals that were put in by trailing skaters. Jake has only allowed ONE conference opponent to score more than 3 goals in a game and will carry an outstanding 2.30 GAA into next week's game against: The last conference team to put more than 3 shots behind him. But clearly, this is not the same Gophers team that played that Sunday...

In other action, the Pioneers' next opponent, the Badgers, earned their first victory of the season, a 4-3 non-conference win over Inver Grove Heights; and the Wolverines (7-2-1 overall) defeated the Sioux 2-1 to remain just a point behind the Gophers in the conference points standings.

The Wolverines' two losses have both come at the hands of the Pioneers, and the Wolverines are also the only team the Gophers have not yet beaten this season, having fallen to them in the opening game of the season 6-3, and having earned a 3-3 tie just before Christmas.

Gophers Prepare for Showdown With Pioneers

Gophers Prepare for Showdown With Pioneers

A frigid and snowy week in the river valley has the Gophers short one scheduled outdoor ice practice, as they gear up for arguably their biggest game of the season so far against the Denver Pioneers this Sunday at Hastings Civic Arena. Heavy snowfall on Monday forced a cancellation of the outdoor session, and the below freezing temperatures that followed in the coming days forced a cancellation of classes on Thursday and a 2 hour delay on Friday.

But the competitive fires burn hot for both teams, as they've each emerged as contenders for the conference's top spot.

And now, as the midway point of the season has come and gone, the Gophers find themselves leading the conference points list by the slimmest of margins, and the battle for the championship is far from over.

The Gophers are coming off a convincing victory over the Sioux; a game in which their defensive speed and tenacity proved too much for their opponents.

The Pioneers' last game was far different...

They were headed for a hard-fought 3-3 draw with the visiting Hudson White team until FW Alex J. of the Pioneers broke through the defense and beat the Hudson goaltender with 2.4 seconds left in the final period to give his team the win with an exceptional individual effort.

It can also be noted that in the December 14th 2-2 tie game between the Gophers and the Pioneers, Alex scored both of the goals for his squad.

The talented #26 and his mates who lead the conference in scoring, will be up against the conference's stingiest defense on Sunday. A defensive team who, other than the non-conference loss against Cottage Grove two weeks ago, has not allowed more than 3 goals in a game since the first game of the season and a conference low 20 goals overall. Since that first game, the Gophers' back check has been steadily improving, as well as their offensive cohesiveness. And Jake's outstanding goaltending has helped keep his team in every game.

Each team sports a 5-2-2 overall record, with the Gophers having the better conference record at 4-1-2 versus 3-2-2 for the Pioneers.

If the Gophers can keep the high powered offense of Alex, Jake, Dylan and the rest of the Pioneers from getting open chances at shooting the puck, they'll likely have success on the defensive end of the ice. And if they keep up the solid team play in transition and timely passing in the offensive zone, they'll do well in this contest.

The game is at high noon on Sunday, and a win puts the Gophers temporarily in sole possession of first place, as the Wolverines/Sioux game follows their own. The Wolverines maintain the top spot with a victory.

Could this be the week the Gophers take over 1st place in the conference and never look back as the march towards the tournament continues??

Spotlight On: Anders, #4

#4 Anders Santelman




Gopher Dad: How many years have you been in organized hockey?
Anders : 4 years

Gopher Dad: What are your favorite hockey teams?
Anders : Pro - Wild, College - Gophers

Gopher Dad: Who is your favorite hockey player?
Anders : Ryan Miller

Gopher Dad: What other sports are you in?
Anders : Soccer/Tennis/Lacross/Snowboarding


Gopher Dad: What is your favorite video game system and game?
Anders : wii / Shaun White Road Trip

Gopher Dad: If you could pick your jersey number, what would it be?
Anders : 28

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite TV show?
Anders : Suite Life on Deck

Gopher Dad: What was the last movie you saw in the theater?
Anders : Hellboy 2 - The Golden Army

Gopher Dad: How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Anders : 1 sister & 1 brother

Gopher Dad: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Anders : Hockey Player

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite food or snack to eat at a hockey arena?
Anders : Starburst from the candy machine

Gophers dominate Sioux!

Gophers vs. Sioux

They're the only words that need to be spoken in the Minnesota Golden Gophers locker room prior to a game against the University of North Dakota.

The Gophers and Sioux have played each other more times than any other college hockey rivalry. Needless to say, these games are circled on the calendars of each team's players as soon as they get their schedules.

They played two games against each other in a weekend series that started Friday and ended Saturday, but one might contend that these games were over much earlier than that, as the Gophers were skated right off the ice, losing 6-3 and 6-1 and looking completely outclassed in the process.

As our Hastings Minnesota Gophers prepared themselves to face the Hastings UND Sioux in an early morning matchup, they were reminded by Assistant Coach Todd of the results of the weekend's contests between their college counterparts. Our Gophers loudly voiced their opinions when questioned on whether their Sunday game would resemble the Friday and Saturday night drubbings handed out by the UND Sioux.

It was a resounding and unanimous "NO!".

The Gophers hit the ice with determination on Sunday and displayed some of the most cohesive teamwork of the season, exemplified in the 3rd period, with Joe skating through in the slot and unselfishly passing the puck right through the crease, feeding his teammate for an easy goal. Joe had a great game on Sunday, earning 2 pts with his play. Jonathon as well had a standout game at the blue line, saving at least a half dozen possessions by playing his position and being ready for the puck when it came his way. Payton drew his first penalty of the season, giving the Gophers a power play by being tripped on his way to the Sioux net. Jake "Sunny D" Sundheim, and Zach played destructive defense also, limiting Sioux chances significantly, as the Gophers' backcheck was in full effect on Sunday. The speed of the Gophers' defensemen was on display against the Sioux who had trouble finding open shots on goal. Jake D. had a typically brilliant game between the pipes, highlighted by a diving stick save on a shot that really had no business not ending up in the scoresheet as a goal. He dove backwards and to his left, from his right side of the net and stopped the puck with his stick perfectly on the ice jammed hard up against the opposite side's post. He allowed only a single goal on the game and has allowed 2 or fewer goals in 6 of 9 games on the season, and by my rudimentary math skills is currently sporting an outstanding, conference best 2.22 GAA. Brett, Blake, Garrett and Mike played solid on both ends of the ice on Sunday, showing their versatility, and the centers Anders, Kannon and Payton each won at least half of their face-offs. Every Gophers skater ended with a +/- rating of at least +1 on the game.

All the Gophers players showed up to play on Sunday and the results of their hard work and hustle were displayed on the scoreboard as the buzzer sounded ending the game.

5-1 Gophers

The win marks the second consecutive victory by the Gophers over the Sioux, accounts for two of the Sioux's three losses on the season, and sets up a showdown next Sunday against the Pioneers, who share the Gophers overall record of 5-2-2, and are coming off back-to-back wins against the Wolverines and Hudson, respectively. The Wolverines have held at least a share of the top spot in the Conference since Game 1 and have only lost to the Pioneers this season, having beaten the Gophers 6-3 in the season opener and tying them in their 2nd meeting, 3-3.

Do you believe in miracles??

Spotlight On: Payton, #2

#2 Payton Anderson

Gopher Dad: How many years have you been in organized hockey?
Payton: One

Gopher Dad: What are your favorite hockey teams?
Payton: Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche

Gopher Dad: Who are your favorite hockey players?
Payton: Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff & Patrick Roy

Gopher Dad: What other sports are you in?
Payton: Hastings U11 Traveling Soccer

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite video game system and game?
Payton: PS3, NHL '09

Gopher Dad: If you could pick your jersey number, what would it be?
Payton: 12 or 34

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite TV show?
Payton: Drake & Josh

Gopher Dad: What was the last movie you saw in the theater?
Payton: Bedtime Stories

Gopher Dad: How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Payton: 1 sister and 3 brothers

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Payton: A hockey player

Gopher Dad: What is your favorite food or snack to eat at a hockey arena?
Payton: Hotdogs and Cheddar Fries

Spotlight On: Gophers Players!

COMING SOON!!!


For the duration of the season we will regularly dedicate a blog entry to each Gophers player who chooses to participate. It will contain information the players share about themselves, their likes/dislikes, etc. It will not be overly personal in nature. It will not reveal any sensitive or private information and all content submitted by players choosing to participate will be monitored for appropriateness.

-Gopher Dad



***DISCLAIMER***

Participation in the "Spotlight On: Gophers Players!" and this weblog in general is completely voluntary and is not organized or promoted by Hastings Hockey (HHB) or any of its coaches or staff.

In other words, it's just for fun!

Gophers rally late but fall to Wolfpack 4-3

After gearing up all week for a game against Eastview's Blue squad, the Gophers' players discovered 20 minutes prior to game time that their much anticipated matchup had been changed... Their expected opponents' lockerroom was occupied by a fired-up Cottage Grove Black team.

Eastview Blue had previously fallen to the Gophers' conference rivals, the Pioneers, by a final count of 12-0 on December 7th, and although the Gophers weren't taking their matchup lightly, they were eager and confident that they'd emerge victorious.

Their foes from Cottage Grove hit the ice with intensity from the opening face-off, outshooting the Gophers in the first period and taking an early 1-0 lead as their ability to keep the puck in the offensive zone kept the Gophers' skaters busy.

But the Gophers battled back and moved the puck down the ice with Garrett scoring the equalizer late in the 1st period on a goal from up close, with the assist going to Anders.
But the opening period was to belong to the Wolfpack, who put the puck into the Gophers' net three times. The period came to an end with the Gophers facing a two goal deficit, down 3-1, and marked only the 2nd such time they've been down by two goals this season. The last time was in the season opener against the Wolverines, and coincidentally was also the last time the Gophers had been defeated, while running up a 6 game unbeaten streak since.

As Coach John Dale spoke to the Gophers along the boards after the 1st period, the players looked to him intently and it was apparent that the Gophers were in a hotly contested game against a formidable opponent.

The Gophers regrouped and fought hard during the 2nd period, outshooting theWolfpack but remaining unable to get a goal, as the Wolfpack was able to frequently break up Gopher passes and block shots.The shots that got through to their goalie were all stopped, and rebounds and second chance shots were in short supply.

Each team got a chance to put their penalty kill lines on the ice as Kannon earned a 2:00 minor for checking and the Wolfpack's #15 found the penalty box later for the same offense. But the PK units proved up to the challenge as neither team could turn the odd man advantage into a goal.
The opening drop of the puck in the 3rd period found the Gophers still down by a score of 3-1.

But the boys hustled and their faces never showed defeat and they never quit even when the visiting team put in what ended up being the game winning goal to bring it to 4-1.

Partway through the final period, the Gophers' sense of urgency was at its highest point and they put together a scoring opportunity with Kannon taking control of the puck from his defensive position and bringing it into the offensive zone. Mike skated with him, taking position in front of the net as Kannon deked and put the shot on goal. There was a bit of a scrum in front of the Wolfpack goalie, and the whistle blew as the Gophers' sticks went into the air. The refs called the goal "9 from 7" to award Woody the goal on the official scoresheet with Kannon receiving credit for the assist, but common opinion was that it appeared to be Kannon unassisted on the goal from the original shot.

Mike would score with less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, bringing it to 4-3, and the Gophers were surging. But shot after shot was turned away by the Wolfpack netminder as the clock wound down under 2 minutes.

Coach Dale strategically pulled his goalie in favor of an extra skater as the gameclock ticked under a minute. And although the Gophers were able to keep the puck in the offensive zone for most of final minute, and were able to outshoot the Wolfpack over the final 2 periods, their courageous and determined efforts were unable to culminate in a game-tying goal, and the final buzzer ended the game with a score of 4-3 and with the visiting Wolfpack of Cottage Grove Black earning the non-conference win.

The Pioneers did their part to help the Gophers in the standings by defeating conference leaders, the Wolverines 6-2, creating a 3-way tie at the top of the conference points list with the Sioux, Pioneers and Gophers leading the way with 8 points, closely followed by the Wolverines at 7.
The Gophers overall record falls to 4-2-2 but they remain the only team in the conference with only a single conference loss.

The Gophers take on the Sioux next Sunday who defeated the Badgers yesterday 8-0 and who have a current 3 game undefeated streak; a stretch in which they've outscored their opponents 14-4.