Game 1: Minnesota vs. Alaska Anchorage
Date: Friday, Oct. 7
Location: Sullivan Arena | Anchorage, Alaska
Puck Drop: 10:00 p.m. CT
Stream: WCHA.tv
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
Game 2: Minnesota vs. Alaska Fairbanks
Date: Sunday, Oct. 9
Location: Sullivan Arena | Anchorage, Alaska
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CT
Stream: WCHA.tv
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
Inside the Matchups
UAA is unbeaten in the last 15 season openers, with a 12-0-3 record. It’s last season-opening loss came in 2001 against Michigan State.
Minnesota has (rightfully) dominated the series with UAA, where the Gophers hold a 57-19-8 advantage.
UAA last beat the Gophers in 2011, when it swept Minnesota, at home, to advance to the WCHA Final Five.
Amazingly, Minnesota and Alaska Fairbanks have only played four times. The two teams first played back in 1937.
Like every new season of college hockey, the first couple games are spent learning the names and numbers of the newcomers. Six freshmen have matriculated into the program and one transfer, Mike Szmatula, is eligible to play this year. Click HERE to view the Gophers’ roster.
All six freshmen hail from Minnesota: Joey Marooney (Chaska, Minn.), Tyler Nanne (Edina, Minn.), Luke Notermann (Blaine, Minn.), Ryan Zuhlsdorf (Edina, Minn.), and Rem Pitlick (Plymouth, Minn.).
The captains will remain the same for the second straight season, with Justin Kloos donning the ‘C’ and Jake Bischoff and Connor Reilly serving as alternates.
Storyline Central
The story is a bit old, but it’s worth mentioning. Heading into the season, there are questions about the viability of the Alaska Anchorage hockey program going forward. With budget concerns at the school, the future is uncertain for the Gophers’ former conference foe.
Adam Wodon of College Hockey News has a Q&A with Alaska head coach Dallas Ferguson. Like Alaska Anchorage, Alaska is facing the same budget cuts, putting their team at risk, too.
Nate Wells with the Pioneer Press put together a nice season preview of the Gophers, first highlighting Alaska native Eric Schierhorn.
What to Watch For
If you are able to watch, it’s important to remember it’s the first game, and there’s some new faces. Be on the lookout for the new freshmen star forward Rem Pitlick. The Shattuck product was unsure if he’d come to the Gophers or spend another year in juniors, but we’ll venture Minnesota will be happy to have him.
The third-round NHL back put up 46 goals and 43 assists, leading the USHL in both categories. He should be a fun one to watch this season, and we might get a first look this weekend.