Update: The majority of the third period looked a lot like the first two periods, but the Gophers did pick up their pace with about five minutes remaining. Unfortunately, by then it was too late as Bachman and the Tigers held off the Gophers for their first shutout at Mariucci Arena since 1955. A hand pass by Cade Fairchild that brought the faceoff all the way back to the defensive zone and forced the Gophers to send Kangas back onto the ice at the 44 second mark didn’t help any. Second period: A combined 13 shots made the second period rather dull other than the physical aspect. CC still leads 1-0, but Minnesota showed a little fortitude by killing off a pair of 5-on-3 penalties. Bachman almost let a loose puck slip in, but otherwise the goalies both looked good. On a completely irrelevant note, a kid from my high school (Luverne) provided the half-time entertainment by scoring the “Long Shot” – shooting from goal line to goal line. Micah Boomgaarden, a sophomore here at the U, just scored what is likely the only goal an LHS grad will ever score in Mariucci Arena in a shot that would have made Robbie Bina proud and Jeff Frazee cringe. No word yet if coach Lucia is offering Boomer a scholarship, but he sure couldn’t hurt the team – today at least. First period: Colorado only needed four guys on the ice and five shots in the entire first period to take a 1-0 lead after one period this afternoon. During a Tim Hall penalty, the Minnesota power-play unit all but fell apart and eventually a rebound found an open Addison DeBoer in front of the net. DeBoer chipped in a high shot over Kangas for his third goal of the year. Like I was saying, the Gopher PP is looking nothing like last night’s when the team put together three power-play goals (and put together the figure of five PP goals in its last seven chances). So far this afternoon, Minnesota has had three advantages and put nothing together. The Gophers only have nine shots total through the first period. Bachman is really keeping the Tigers on top though, his biggest save of the night came on two consecutive saves made against Minnesota’s top line – both were from the prone position. Gabe Guentzel is having a bad first experience at Mariucci. He added another two penalties so far today on top of the two he took last night – both of those turned into Gophers goals. He did however assist on CC’s lone goal last night when he broken-stick shot sent the puck creeping towards the net just enough for Bill Sweatt to tip it into the corner.

Pre-Game: