Gophers Hockey: Minnesota-Bemidji State Friday line combinations

Greetings from Mariucci Arena where the top-ranked Gophers have their home opener against in-state Bemidji State (1-1-0, 0-0-0 WCHA). The Beavers, like Minnesota (2-0-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA), were idle last week. Before that BSU split a home-and-home series with North Dakota with the road team winning each game.

Tonight's game marks the debut of Leon Bristedt. The 5'8", 183 lbs Swede will be on a line with Kyle Rau (Florida Panthers) and Hudson Fasching (Buffalo Sabres). Vinni Lettieri is the odd man out in the top-9 and instead will be in his fourth line that he had last year.

The Beavers will be without freshman Leo Fitzgerald. Instead, fellow frosh Kyle Bauman will be on a line with Leo's brothers Gerry and Myles.

On defense, Ryan Collins (Columbus Blue Jackets) is the lone freshman in Minnesota's lineup while Jack Glover (Winnipeg Jets) and Steve Johnson (Los Angeles Kings) sit.

Bemidji State is starting Michael Bitzer in net. Adam Wilcox (Tampa Bay Lightning) gets the nod for Minnesota.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Forwards

Leon Bristedt (#18) - Kyle Rau (#7) - Hudson Fasching (#24)

Sam Warning (#11) - Justin Kloos (#25) - Taylor Cammarata (#13)

Connor Reilly (#18) - Travis Boyd (#22) - Seth Ambroz (#17)

A.J. Michaelson (#15) - Christian Isackson (#26) - Vinni Lettieri (#19)

Defense

Jake Bischoff *(#28) - Mike Reilly (#5)

Ben Marshall (#10) - Michael Brodzinski (#20)

Brady Skjei (#2) - Ryan Collins (#6)

Goaltenders

Adam Wilcox (#32)

Ryan Coyne (#31)

Nick Lehr (#34)

Bemidji State Beavers

Forwards

Markus Gerbrandt (#23) - Nate Arentz (#11) - Brendam Harms (#18)

Phillip Marinaccio (#9) - Cory Ward (#13)  John Parker (#8)

Kyle Bauman (#14) - Gerry Fitzgerald (#21) - Myles Fitzgerald (#26)

Charlie O'Connor (#22) - Mitch Cain (#27) - Phil Brewer (#19)

Defense

Brett Beauvais (#28) - Sam Windle (#4)

Sam Rendle (#20) - Matt Prapavessis (#7)

Ruslan Pedan (#25) - Graeme Pedan (#12)

Goaltenders

Michael Bitzer (#1)

Andrew Walsh (#30)

Tonight's game starts at 8:00 p.m. and airs live on BTN. For more pregame reading, check out our weekly Minnesota notebook. Prior to the game, the Gophers will unveil the 2013-14 Big Ten regular season banner.

For updates from Mariucci Arena, follow Nate on Twitter @gopherstate.