North Star College Cup Presented by TRIA Orthopedic Center
Location: Xcel Energy Center | St. Paul, Minn.
Dates: Friday, Jan. 27-Saturday, Jan. 28
Game One: St. Cloud State (Visitor) vs. Bemidji State (Home)
Date: Friday, Jan. 27
Puck Drop: 4:05 p.m. CT
Game Two: Minnesota (Visitor) vs. Minnesota Duluth (Home)
Date: Friday, Jan. 27
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. CT
Third-Place Game: Game 2 Loser (Visitor) vs. Game 1 Loser (Home)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 28
Puck Drop: 4:05 p.m. CT
Championship Game: Game 2 Winner (Visitor) vs. Game 1 Winner (Home)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 28
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. CT
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
The Gophers first opponent this week is the top-ranked UMD Bulldogs. It’s truly a clash of college hockey’s best, No. 6 against No. 1.
Friday’s game will be the 231st all-time meeting, with Minnesota holding a sizable 134-79-17 advantage.
UMD will be coming in full of confidence after their series sweep of North Dakota last weekend. Duluth put up nine goals on the weekend, and blanked the Whioux 4-0 to close out the weekend.
The Bulldogs boast two Minnesota Wild prospects in Carson Soucy and Avery Peterson. Peterson, a transfer from Omaha, has five points in seven games played this season.
The North Star College Cup hasn’t been kind to the Gophers. The Maroon and Gold enter the tourney with back-to-back last place finishes. The only reason they’re still in the tournament is because they’re guaranteed entry to boost admission.
St. Cloud State are the defending NSCC champs, but enter the weekend as the only unranked team of the four participants.
Much of the reason for Bemidji State’s success this season can be attributed to goalie Michael Bitzer. The Moorhead native has started 27 of 28 games and has posted a .935 save percentage and is giving up just 1.59 goals per game.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Nate Wells with the Pioneer Press has a great story on Jake Bischoff growing up in the shadow of UMD. The senior blue-liner is excited to renew the in-state rivalry.
Mick Hatten of the St. Cloud Times provides a nice preview of the Huskies entering the tournament.
Also from Nate Wells, a story on the final NSCC. Struggling attendance makes this the final time to play the tourney.
Here’s a great video of Seth Ambroz winning the first NSCC title for the Gophers in a shootout against UMD.