University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, December 28
3M Arena at Mariucci
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Ferris State University
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'U' Hosts Ferris State this Weekend
12/26/2018 5:18:00 PM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Gopher Hockey program closes out the 2018 calendar year this weekend with a two-game nonconference series against Ferris State at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The finale series of 2018 opens on Friday, Dec. 28 (FOX Sports North PLUS) and concludes on Saturday, Dec. 29 (Big Ten Network). Both games are set for 7 p.m. CT.
Against Ferris State
In a series that goes back to 1993, the Maroon & Gold hold a 3-1-1 all-time record against Ferris State with all five contests being played on home ice for the Golden Gophers. The two teams shared a 2-2 overtime tie on New Year's Day 2011 in the last meeting between the programs -- meaning no active Gophers have competed against the Bulldogs.
Success Shorthanded
The Minnesota penalty killing units ended the first half with a strong showing, refusing to give up a power-play goal in six of the last seven games (.870, successfully killing 27 of 28 chances). Since Nov. 17, Minnesota ranks tied for fourth nationally in penalty killing while the three teams with better kill rates (Air Force, Minnesota Duluth and Vermont) have all played two less games than the Maroon & Gold. On the season, Minnesota's penalty kill ranks tied for ninth nationally and first among Big Ten schools (.870, successfully killing 60 of 69 chances).
Seven-Game Stretch
In addition to having one of the nation's top penalty kills over the last seven games, Minnesota has only one official loss in the last seven games with a 3-1-3 record to close out the first half. Included in that stretch are three-straight 2-2 overtime ties -- a pair against Ohio State and one against Michigan.
Mariucci Classic Returns in 2019-20
After a two-year hiatus, the Mariucci Classic will return to the Gopher Hockey schedule in 2019-20 with a new twist as for the first time in tournament history all four participating programs hail from the state of Minnesota. Joining the Gophers for the 27th edition of the Mariucci Classic will be Bemidji State, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State. The Mavericks and the Huskies will both be making their first appearances at the Mariucci Classic while the Beavers will be participating for the third time, having finished third in 2000-01 and winning the tournament in 2010-11. Next year's Mariucci Classic is scheduled for Dec. 28-29, 2019 at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Matchups and other tournament details will be announced at a later date. With an all-time Mariucci Classic record of 36-13-3 dating back to the inaugural event in 1991-92, the Maroon & Gold have won 14 of the previous 26 tournament titles and stand as the defending Mariucci Classic champions after winning the event in 2016-17.
The Pitlick Production
Junior forward Rem Pitlick currently leads the Maroon & Gold with 14 points and seven goals in 15 games this season. The Nashville Predators prospect is currently riding a six-game point streak (two games shy of his career long). Pitlick also has points in seven of the last eight games, nine of the last 11 and has not been held without a point in back-to-back games this season.
Sheehy Notches 50th Goal
Senior captain Tyler Sheehy is coming a memorable performance in Minnesota's 4-3 win over No. 15 Michigan to close out the first half on Dec. 8. Sheehy scored 55 seconds into the third period to tie the game in the eventual victory -- giving Minnesota it's first third-period rally of the year. Moreover, the goal marked Sheehy's 50th career tally -- making the senior the 60th player in Pride On Ice history to reach the mark and the first since Justin Kloos tallied 63 (2013-17). Sheehy leads all active Gophers with 119 points (50 goals, 69 assists) in 126 career games.
Schierhorn Nears School Record
Senior goaltender Eric Schierhorn (1-3-0) picked up his 12th career shutout last month as the two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year claimed sole possession of third all-time at Minnesota (only Adam Wilcox and Kellen Briggs have more with 13 each). With a 56-44-4 career record, Schierhorn ranks tied for sixth in school history in wins and sixth in saves at 2,579.
Welcome Back, Bob!
After 13 years leading in-state rival St. Cloud State, Bob Motzko was named the head coach of the University of Minnesota on March 27, 2018. A native of Austin, Minn., Motzko built a 276-192-49 record as head coach of the Huskies (281-198-53 overall record) following a four-year stint as assistant coach at Minnesota that saw the Maroon & Gold claim back-to-back national championships in 2002 and 2003. Motzko has coached 17 All-Americans in his coaching career including Hobey Baker Award winners Jordan Leopold and Drew LeBlanc. In addition to his collegiate coaching, Motzko led the U.S. National Junior Team to back-to-back medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship -- capturing a gold medal in 2017 and a bronze medal in 2018.
Big Ten Preseason Information
Tyler Sheehy and Rem Pitlick represented the Maroon & Gold on the Big Ten Preseason Watch List while the Gophers were predicted to finish fourth in a competitive Big Ten during the 2018-19 campaign. The Big Ten's three Frozen Four participants last year landed poll rankings ahead of the Maroon & Gold with Ohio State projected to finish first, Michigan to finish second and Notre Dame to finish third. Behind the Gophers are Penn State in fifth, Wisconsin in sixth and Michigan State in seventh.
Minnesota Announces Captains for 2018-19
Four senior forwards will serve as leads for the University of Minnesota during the 2018-19 campaign with Tyler Sheehy and Brent Gates Jr. acting as captains for the Maroon & Gold while Jack Ramsey and Darian Romanko will act as assistant captains. Sheehy returns after serving as team captain as a junior last year while Gates, Ramsey and Romanko will wear letters for the first time as seniors. The four skaters continue a long tradition of Gopher Hockey captains dating back to the program's first season of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold. Counting the new additions, 170 Gophers have worn a letter at the University of Minnesota in the program's 97-year history.
Gophers in the NHL Draft
Thirteen current Gophers have had their names called at the NHL Entry Draft including newcomers Robbie Stucker (2017, Columbus, Seventh Round, 210th), Sammy Walker (2017, Tampa Bay, Seventh Round, 200th), Blake McLaughlin (2018, Anaheim, Third Round, 79th) and Sampo Ranta (2018, Colorado, Third Round, 78th). Ranta and McLaughlin were selected with back-to-back picks in 2018 -- the sixth time in Gophers history that has happened. Ten NHL teams have prospects on the Gopher Hockey roster this year with Anaheim, Tampa Bay and Nashville each listing two draftees with Minnesota.
Mr. Hockey Goes to Minnesota
Incoming Gophers freshman Sammy Walker closed out his prep career by leading Edina High School to a third-place finish at the 2018 MSHSL Class AA State Tournament, earning all-tournament honors along with Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year accolades. Walker was also 34th recipient of the annual Mr. Hockey Award, given to the top senior high school boy's hockey player in the state of Minnesota. Of the 34 honorees in the award's history, 23 have gone on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota.
Big Ten Announces Overtime Changes
The Big Ten Conference has announced changes to its overtime protocol and conference points system for the 2018-19 hockey season. Any regular-season conference game that remains tied after regulation will play the NCAA-mandated five-minute, 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime period. If the game remains tied, the two teams will then play a five-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime period. If the game is still tied following both overtime periods, then the game will move to a sudden-death shootout. Non-conference games other than certain in-season tournaments will conclude following the 5-on-5 overtime period. Postseason games will continue to feature 20-minute 5-on-5 overtime periods as in the past. Teams will be awarded three points in the conference standings for a win in regulation or the 5-on-5 overtime period. If the game is tied following the 5-on-5 overtime, both teams will receive one point, with a second point being awarded to the team that wins in either the 3-on-3 overtime period or the shootout.
Against Ferris State
In a series that goes back to 1993, the Maroon & Gold hold a 3-1-1 all-time record against Ferris State with all five contests being played on home ice for the Golden Gophers. The two teams shared a 2-2 overtime tie on New Year's Day 2011 in the last meeting between the programs -- meaning no active Gophers have competed against the Bulldogs.
Success Shorthanded
The Minnesota penalty killing units ended the first half with a strong showing, refusing to give up a power-play goal in six of the last seven games (.870, successfully killing 27 of 28 chances). Since Nov. 17, Minnesota ranks tied for fourth nationally in penalty killing while the three teams with better kill rates (Air Force, Minnesota Duluth and Vermont) have all played two less games than the Maroon & Gold. On the season, Minnesota's penalty kill ranks tied for ninth nationally and first among Big Ten schools (.870, successfully killing 60 of 69 chances).
Seven-Game Stretch
In addition to having one of the nation's top penalty kills over the last seven games, Minnesota has only one official loss in the last seven games with a 3-1-3 record to close out the first half. Included in that stretch are three-straight 2-2 overtime ties -- a pair against Ohio State and one against Michigan.
Mariucci Classic Returns in 2019-20
After a two-year hiatus, the Mariucci Classic will return to the Gopher Hockey schedule in 2019-20 with a new twist as for the first time in tournament history all four participating programs hail from the state of Minnesota. Joining the Gophers for the 27th edition of the Mariucci Classic will be Bemidji State, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State. The Mavericks and the Huskies will both be making their first appearances at the Mariucci Classic while the Beavers will be participating for the third time, having finished third in 2000-01 and winning the tournament in 2010-11. Next year's Mariucci Classic is scheduled for Dec. 28-29, 2019 at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Matchups and other tournament details will be announced at a later date. With an all-time Mariucci Classic record of 36-13-3 dating back to the inaugural event in 1991-92, the Maroon & Gold have won 14 of the previous 26 tournament titles and stand as the defending Mariucci Classic champions after winning the event in 2016-17.
The Pitlick Production
Junior forward Rem Pitlick currently leads the Maroon & Gold with 14 points and seven goals in 15 games this season. The Nashville Predators prospect is currently riding a six-game point streak (two games shy of his career long). Pitlick also has points in seven of the last eight games, nine of the last 11 and has not been held without a point in back-to-back games this season.
Sheehy Notches 50th Goal
Senior captain Tyler Sheehy is coming a memorable performance in Minnesota's 4-3 win over No. 15 Michigan to close out the first half on Dec. 8. Sheehy scored 55 seconds into the third period to tie the game in the eventual victory -- giving Minnesota it's first third-period rally of the year. Moreover, the goal marked Sheehy's 50th career tally -- making the senior the 60th player in Pride On Ice history to reach the mark and the first since Justin Kloos tallied 63 (2013-17). Sheehy leads all active Gophers with 119 points (50 goals, 69 assists) in 126 career games.
Schierhorn Nears School Record
Senior goaltender Eric Schierhorn (1-3-0) picked up his 12th career shutout last month as the two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year claimed sole possession of third all-time at Minnesota (only Adam Wilcox and Kellen Briggs have more with 13 each). With a 56-44-4 career record, Schierhorn ranks tied for sixth in school history in wins and sixth in saves at 2,579.
Welcome Back, Bob!
After 13 years leading in-state rival St. Cloud State, Bob Motzko was named the head coach of the University of Minnesota on March 27, 2018. A native of Austin, Minn., Motzko built a 276-192-49 record as head coach of the Huskies (281-198-53 overall record) following a four-year stint as assistant coach at Minnesota that saw the Maroon & Gold claim back-to-back national championships in 2002 and 2003. Motzko has coached 17 All-Americans in his coaching career including Hobey Baker Award winners Jordan Leopold and Drew LeBlanc. In addition to his collegiate coaching, Motzko led the U.S. National Junior Team to back-to-back medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship -- capturing a gold medal in 2017 and a bronze medal in 2018.
Big Ten Preseason Information
Tyler Sheehy and Rem Pitlick represented the Maroon & Gold on the Big Ten Preseason Watch List while the Gophers were predicted to finish fourth in a competitive Big Ten during the 2018-19 campaign. The Big Ten's three Frozen Four participants last year landed poll rankings ahead of the Maroon & Gold with Ohio State projected to finish first, Michigan to finish second and Notre Dame to finish third. Behind the Gophers are Penn State in fifth, Wisconsin in sixth and Michigan State in seventh.
Minnesota Announces Captains for 2018-19
Four senior forwards will serve as leads for the University of Minnesota during the 2018-19 campaign with Tyler Sheehy and Brent Gates Jr. acting as captains for the Maroon & Gold while Jack Ramsey and Darian Romanko will act as assistant captains. Sheehy returns after serving as team captain as a junior last year while Gates, Ramsey and Romanko will wear letters for the first time as seniors. The four skaters continue a long tradition of Gopher Hockey captains dating back to the program's first season of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold. Counting the new additions, 170 Gophers have worn a letter at the University of Minnesota in the program's 97-year history.
Gophers in the NHL Draft
Thirteen current Gophers have had their names called at the NHL Entry Draft including newcomers Robbie Stucker (2017, Columbus, Seventh Round, 210th), Sammy Walker (2017, Tampa Bay, Seventh Round, 200th), Blake McLaughlin (2018, Anaheim, Third Round, 79th) and Sampo Ranta (2018, Colorado, Third Round, 78th). Ranta and McLaughlin were selected with back-to-back picks in 2018 -- the sixth time in Gophers history that has happened. Ten NHL teams have prospects on the Gopher Hockey roster this year with Anaheim, Tampa Bay and Nashville each listing two draftees with Minnesota.
Mr. Hockey Goes to Minnesota
Incoming Gophers freshman Sammy Walker closed out his prep career by leading Edina High School to a third-place finish at the 2018 MSHSL Class AA State Tournament, earning all-tournament honors along with Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year accolades. Walker was also 34th recipient of the annual Mr. Hockey Award, given to the top senior high school boy's hockey player in the state of Minnesota. Of the 34 honorees in the award's history, 23 have gone on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota.
Big Ten Announces Overtime Changes
The Big Ten Conference has announced changes to its overtime protocol and conference points system for the 2018-19 hockey season. Any regular-season conference game that remains tied after regulation will play the NCAA-mandated five-minute, 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime period. If the game remains tied, the two teams will then play a five-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime period. If the game is still tied following both overtime periods, then the game will move to a sudden-death shootout. Non-conference games other than certain in-season tournaments will conclude following the 5-on-5 overtime period. Postseason games will continue to feature 20-minute 5-on-5 overtime periods as in the past. Teams will be awarded three points in the conference standings for a win in regulation or the 5-on-5 overtime period. If the game is tied following the 5-on-5 overtime, both teams will receive one point, with a second point being awarded to the team that wins in either the 3-on-3 overtime period or the shootout.
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