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U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game V Maine
Topic Started: Oct 5 2006, 06:11 AM (139 Views)
Wild-Puck
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#2/3 MINNESOTA vs. 11/11 MAINE

Date: Friday, Oct. 6, 2006
Location: St. Paul, Minn. – Xcel Energy Center (18,064)
Time: 7:07 p.m.
Television: Fox Sports Net North
Frank Mazzocco (play-by-play), Doug Woog (analyst)
Radio: WCCO 830 AM Wally Shaver (play-by-play), Glen Sonmor (analyst)

2006-07 SEASON OPENER

The No. 2/3 University of Minnesota men’s hockey team opens the 2006-07 season this Friday against No. 11 Maine in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at 7:07 p.m., at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The season opener will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net North and head on WCCO 830 AM. Minnesota is ranked No. 2 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll and No. 3 in the USCHO.com/CSTV poll. On Sunday, the Golden Gophers host the University of Lethbridge in an exhibition game at 7:07 p.m., at Mariucci Arena. Tickets are available for that game by calling 612-624-8080 or 1-800-U-GOPHER, or online at gophersports.com.

THE SERIES VS. MAINE

The Black Bears lead the all-time series vs. Minnesota by a 12-10-0 margin (.545). In the last meeting, the Golden Gophers edged Maine, 1-0 in overtime at the 2005 NCAA West Regional semifinal at Mariucci Arena. The two teams last met at the Xcel Energy Center in the dramatic 2002 NCAA Championship game on April 6, 2002. The Golden Gophers dropped Maine, 4-3, in overtime to capture their first national title in 23 years. Prior to Minnesota’s 2002 win over Maine, the Bears were on a three-game winning streak vs. the Maroon and Gold. In the last five meetings, the Golden Gophers have averaged 2.6 goals a game, while the Bears have averaged 3.4 goals per contest. In five of the last six meetings, the winning team has scored four or more goals. Maine has not defeated the Golden Gophers in the state of Minnesota since a 6-1 win at Mariucci Arena on Oct. 17, 1997.

ABOUT THE BLACK BEARS

Last season, Maine compiled a 28-12-2 overall record and a 17-8-2 conference record to finish second in Hockey East. The Black Bears advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth straight season and the Frozen Four for the third time in the last five seasons. Maine returns 19 letterwinners this season, including three of its top six scorers in Josh Soares (15-26--41), Michel Léveillé (16-24--40) and Billy Ryan (10-18--28). The Bears also return their top goaltender in Ben Bishop (2.28, .907, 21-8-2). The Maine roster features two natives of Apple Valley, Minn. – defensemen Mike Lundin and Bryan Plaszcz.

OPENING NIGHT

Minnesota is 50-33-2 (.600) in season openers in program history, including a 4-3-0 mark under Lucia. Last season, Minnesota opened year with a 4-3 overtime loss to Alaska Fairbanks at Mariucci Arena. UM has not lost two consecutive season openers since losing four straight from 1996-97 to 1999-2000. Minnesota is opening the season at the Xcel Energy Center for the fourth time in the last seven seasons.

HALL OF FAME PERFORMANCES

Minnesota holds a 12-4-0 all-time record in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, dating to the 1975-76 season. The Golden Gophers have played in five of last seven Hall of Fame Games, posting a 5-0 record. Minnesota downed Denver, 5-2 in 2004, Ohio State, 7-2 in 2002, North Dakota, 7-5 in 2001, and Notre Dame, 7-3 in 2000. UM is 3-0 in HOF Games played at the Xcel Energy Center. The Maroon and Gold has not lost a HOF Game since falling, 3-2, to Michigan in an exhibition contest at Target Center in Minneapolis.

AT THE X

The Golden Gophers hold an 11-7-0 (.611) all-time record at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota played the first-ever hockey game at the X, routing Notre Dame, 7-3, on Oct. 7, 2000. The Maroon and Gold has won nine of its last 13 games (9-4-0) at the home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. UM is riding a four-game losing streak at the 18,064-seat arena after two losses in each of the last two WCHA Final Fives. Minnesota is 4-0 in the regular season and 7-7 in the postseason at the X.
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Ryan
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I'd be sure to keep an eye on Simon Danis-Papin for Maine. He's 6'7" 221, so he should be a force to be reckoned with.

And Ben Bishop, also 6'7" and a goalie :o
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Ryan
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that was a weird goal. What an unfortunate deflection.
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Ryan
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Pros:
Barriball goal

Cons:
Being down after the 1st.
Allowing a goal 21 seconds into the game.
Frazee just doesn't look comfortable at all.
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Weird maybe, I'd say terrible. Who am I to second guess, it was a weird deflection that Frazee almost scooped up...but he's a flopper like Hauser was and if he would have stayed on his feet...

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And Ben Bishop, also 6'7" and a goalie

Yeah, I thought I misunderstood that when they said his size...but then I noticed him in net. Man, that's great size for a player, let alone a goaltender.
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Frazee has gotten better as the game has gone on, which is a good thing. The Gophs just can't seem to get anything past the monster Bishop. They have had many chances, but just can't finish.
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Bishop played awesome. Hard to beat a hot goalie, and a huge goalie :D
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Kind of a sloppy game...especially the power-play, 0-6 I believe, but that is not unexpected this early in the season and with Lucia playing so many new players on the unit. I thought Carmen was the best Gopher on the ice...but Barriball and Okposo had impressive first games as well.

Overall I was not surprised that much by the teams play. Yes we brought in a lot of fire-power but it will take time for it to come together. And I agree that Frazee got better as the game went...not great...most of the big saves he made was because he was in position and not necessarily him making a spectacular play...he played a strong game.

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Looking back at this game, it appears the Gophers are really pretty good. Maine has been dominating everyone, but Minnesota. Maine is now 7-0 I believe, so playing strong against them had to have been a huge boost for the freshman and Frazee.
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