No. 8 Minnesota vs. Northeastern
Date: Friday, Nov. 25, 2016
Location: Matthews Arena | Boston, Mass.
Puck Drop: 6:00 p.m. CT
Stream: GoNU.com/xstream
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 3 Boston College
Date: Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016
Location: Conte Forum | Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Puck Drop: 12:00 p.m. CT
Stream: BCEagles.tv
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
The Gophers are 8-5 against Northeastern, and won both games last season at Mariucci.
The last time Minnesota played at NU, the Huskies scored a late goal in the third to win 3-2.
Northeastern is off to a tough start at 4-5-4. It’s especially discouraging when two of their four wins came against Arizona State.
The Huskies have some offensive firepower, including No. 12, Zach Aston-Reese. The senior has tallied nine goals and 20 points in just 13 games this season.
Like NU, Boston College boasts a number of talented forwards. One player to keep on eye on NHL first-rounder Colin White. Just a sophomore, White is second on the team with seven goals, and has generated 46 shots in 13 games.
BC comes into the game at 11-3-1, but are an impressive 10-1-1 in their last 12 games.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Paula C. Weston of USCHO wrote a column on the Gophers’ desire to be a strong team when traveling on the road. They’ll get their chance on the east coast this weekend.
Kate Peaquin of The Heights looks at where Boston College has been so far this season, and what college hockey fans can expect this weekend.
They’re two of the top teams each year in college hockey, and some meetings over the past few years have produced some fun highlights for Gopher fans.
QUOTES
Don Lucia
On playing BC and Northeastern:
“They’re big games. We’ve had a lot of fun games against [Boston College] the last few years. I’m sure Sunday has been no different. But our focus all week as been on Northeastern. They’re a team that was a NCAA team a year ago. They have, basically, most of their team back from last year. The last couple years it seems like it’s been around Thanksgiving they’ve got on their runs. Watched they games against Providence, their power play is really good. They have some real top-end players. It’s a good test.”
On Mike Szmatula playing against his former team, Northeastern:
“He’s probably hungry to go back and get an opportunity to play. We know when kids come back here and get a chance to play, back in their home state, there’s a little extra juice. He had two good years there but made a decision to go someplace else. Glad he’s on our team. He’s off to a good start. He was a point-a-game guy in Hockey East and a point-a-game guy for us.”