Big Third Period Bails Out Gopher Pucksters

The recipe was almost the same as so many weekend openers: missed opportunities early, a bad bounce here and there, and before long, another defeat. On Saturday night, however, the Gopher hockey team strung together three third period goals and saved itself against punchless Bowling Green 3-1 in the opener of the Dodge Holiday Classic.

After spotting BGSU a 1-0 lead after two periods, the Gophers struck quickly in the third, as Mike Carman converted on a power play to tie the score. The game stayed that way for nearly 15 minutes before Mike Hoeffel scored to break the tie. Ryan Flynn scored into an empty net to make the final score 3-1.

Hoeffel and Carman each notched a goal and an assist in the game for the Gophers. Alex Kangas was not overly busy in the nets, but stopped 22 of 23 Bowling Green shots to pick up his eighth win of the season.

The Gophers are now 9-9-1 on the season and are at the .500 mark for the first time since November 1. 

Minnesota will face Northern Michigan Sunday in the championship game of the Dodge Holiday Classic, by virtue of NMU's 4-0 victory over Clarkson earlier Saturday. Mark Olver had a goal and an assist, Justin Florek picked up two helpers, and goaltender Brian Stewart stopped all 29 Clarkson shots in the Northern victory.

The Gophers have reached the elusive .500 mark and have now won four games in a row. The drive for five continues Sunday, with a winnable series next weekend at home against Harvard. A nice winning streak to carry into the WCHA stretch run, perhaps......