University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Prepare for First Round of Border Battle
11/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
| 2017-18 Gopher Hockey | |
| Game 17 | No. 7 Minnesota vs. No. 14/12 Wisconsin |
| Date | Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. CT |
| TV | FOX Sports North PLUS ( Channel Guide) |
| Stream | BTN2Go | FOX Sports Go | TSNGO |
| Radio | 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online |
| Game 18 | No. 7 Minnesota vs. No. 14/12 Wisconsin |
| Date | Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. CT |
| TV | FOX Sports North PLUS ( Channel Guide) |
| Stream | BTN2Go | FOX Sports Go | TSNGO |
| Radio | 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online |
| Location | 3M Arena at Mariucci | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| Tickets | GopherSports.com/Tickets |
| Gopher Hockey Live | Game 17 | Game 18 |
| Game Notes | Minnesota | Wisconsin | Big Ten |
| Social Media | @GopherHockey | Facebook | Instagram |
| Fan Information | Tickets| Local Weather| Parking| Preferred Hotels |
MINNEAPOLIS -- The No. 7 Gopher Hockey program returns to Big Ten action this weekend with a conference series against No. 14/12 Wisconsin at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Both games in the Friday/Saturday series are set for 7 p.m. CT on FOX Sports North PLUS.
Szmatula Nears Century Mark
Senior forward Mike Szmatula tallied a pair of power-play goals last Saturday in South Bend and is now one point away from joining Minnesota's 100-Point Club. A native of Commerce Township, Mich., Szmatula has 99 points (42 goals, 57 assists) in 117 career games and will look to become the 83rd Gopher to reach 100 career points. The forward has six points (four goals, two assists) in 16 games this year and 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 44 career games with the Gophers after transferring to the program from Northeastern.
Defending the Home Front
Minnesota's 2-1 overtime win over Harvard last Saturday marked Minnesota's seventh-straight victory at 3M Arena at Mariucci. After falling in the home opener, the Gophers are now 7-1-0 at home this season with the current seven-game home winning streak is Minnesota's longest since putting together 10-straight wins at home between the end of the 2013-14 season and the beginning of the 2014-15 season. Since the start of the 2011-12 season, the Maroon & Gold lead the NCAA in home wins (91-26-9) and home winning percentage (.758). Minnesota is 33-7-3-0 in Big Ten games on home ice including one victory at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 Hockey City Classic.
Border Battle Against the Badgers
Minnesota enters this weekend's series with a 166-92-23 all-time record against Wisconsin including a 96-29-9 mark on home ice in a series that dates back to 1922. Senior forward Leon Bristedt leads all active Gophers against the Badgers with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 12 career games against Minnesota's Border Battle rival.
To be the Man, You Have to Beat the Man
Minnesota entered the week with the fifth-toughest strength of schedule in college hockey as 12 of the program's first 16 games have come against nationally ranked teams. Things won't get any easier for the Maroon & Gold with No. 14 Wisconsin coming to 3M Arena at Mariucci this weekend followed by a trip to No. 11 Ohio State to close out the first half. If the rankings hold up, 16 of Minnesota's first 20 games will come against ranked opponents.
Schierhorn Climbs Gophers Records
Two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year Eric Schierhorn currently owns a 52-35-4 career record (9-6-1 this year). The junior is having his best year with the Gophers with a .913 save percentage and a GAA of 2.36. Schierhorn currently ranks tied for fifth in program history in shutouts (10) and ranks eighth all-time in wins (52). Schierhorn has started 91-straight games since arriving on campus and is tied for fifth all-time in NCAA history in the category.
Blue Line Bullet Points
Sophomore defenseman Tyler Nanne assisted on both of Minnesota's goals last Saturday for his first career multi-point game...Sophomore defenseman Ryan Zuhlsdorf has six assists already this season -- a new single-season career best for the blueliner in both points and assists.
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.
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 57-23-8-1 in 88 regular-season games since the inaugural year of Big Ten play in 2013-14. The Gophers also boast an impressive 33-7-3-0 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 331-130-48 in the 24-year history of 3M Arena at Mariucci (formerly Mariucci Arena). Since the start of the 2011-12 season, the Maroon & Gold lead the NCAA in home wins (91) and home winning percentage (.758). Minnesota is 33-7-3-0 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 month -- 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 113 NHL alums in program history.
