Army (8-8-2 overall, 6-7-2 AHA) vs No. 10 Minnesota (10-9-1 overall, 4-7-1 B1G)
Date: Friday, Dec. 29, 2017
Location: 3M Arena at Mariucci | Minneapolis, Minn.
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: FOX Sports North
Stream: BTN2Go | FOX Sports Go
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online
Date: Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017
Location: 3M Arena at Mariucci | Minneapolis, Minn.
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: FOX Sports North PLUS
Stream: BTN2Go | FOX Sports Go
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
The Gophers kick off the second half of their season with a home series against Army. It’ll be the first time in 51 years the teams have faced off.
Minnesota holds a 2-0-0 all-time mark against the Black Knights, including a 12-1 victory in their last meeting.
The Gophers will be a bit shorthanded this weekend. Forward Casey Mittelstadt and defenseman Ryan Lindgren are playing for Team USA in the U-20 World Junior Classic.
Also missing from the roster is d-man Nate Knoepke who left the team to return to the USHL.
To fill the void, Minnesota added Edina native Clayton Phillips from the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Phillips was dominating the USHL when he got the call, posting four goals and nine points in 13 games.
The Black Knights have been up and down this year with a 8-8-2 record. Surprisingly, the visitors have been performing well on the road, going 7-3-1.
Army enters the game on a high note after beating No. 13 New Hampshire before the holiday break.
Watch out for Michael Wilson, Army’s leader in goals (9) and shots on net (49). The Wisconsin native played his junior hockey in Minnesota with the Minnesota Magicians.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Ryan Lund with Fox Sports North has the latest from Team USA’s opening win against Denmark. Casey Mittelstadt scored twice and was named player of the game for the United States.
Here’s a look at one of Mittelstadt’s goals, along with a video of just a nasty shootout move at practice.
QUOTES
Don Lucia
“We’ve just had a bear of a time scoring goals. The guys that have done it in the past, have to get back to doing it this year. I mean, that’s going to be the key from here on out. Either we’re going to score and have more success or we’re going to have to try and win games 2-1 the rest of the way through. With the offense, the powerplay, it’s one in the same. The same guys we’re counting on to score five-on-five are the same guys on the powerplay, they have to deliver. We’ll see if Clayton [Phillips] can help us.”
Tyler Sheehy
“The mental part is going to be huge, just kind of a refresh from the first half. They physical part, obviously, these past few days are the days we have to start getting back into shape and be ready to go this weekend. The mental side of it is just really clear our heads from what happened and be ready to go.”