SB Nation College Hockey - WCHA Showdown: Minnesota at St. CloudCollege Hockey's Home on the Blogospherehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49993/wchb-fav.png2013-02-09T21:49:01-08:00http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/rss/stream/37331452013-02-09T21:49:01-08:002013-02-09T21:49:01-08:00Gophers comeback falls short against St. Cloud
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<figcaption>St. Cloud State celebrating their 4-3 win Saturday | Andy Johnson</figcaption>
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<p>Ryan Faragher stopped 36 shots and made several key saves as the top-ranked Gophers could not come back from a 4-1 third period deficit. St. Cloud State now leads the WCHA by 3 points over North Dakota.</p> <p>Despite Minnesota making things interesting in the third period, the #8 Huskies were top dogs Saturday night.</p>
<p>St. Cloud State (18-11-1, 15-6-1 WCHA) goaltender Ryan Faragher made 36 saves and four different Huskies scored to give the WCHA leaders a 4-3 win over the top-ranked Gophers. With the two teams splitting the weekend series, SCSU extends their lead in the conference to 3 points over North Dakota and 5 over both Minnesota (who have 2 games in hand) and Nebraska-Omaha.</p>
<p><span>Adam Wilcox</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>) made 17 saves for Minnesota (19-5-4, 11-5-4 WCHA) in a losing effort.</p>
<p>Following a scoreless first period that saw back and forth play, sophomore forward Joey Holka got the Huskies on the board 2:39 into the second with a heads-up goal. Holka caught the puck out of the air, spun around and chipped it past Wilcox for his third goal of the season.</p>
<p>The Gophers responded by controlling play in the SCSU zone for the rest of the period, out-shooting them 15-8, but Faragher and the Huskies defense stood tall. That led to St. Cloud State taking advantage of another one of their few chances as Jimmy Murray set up Nic Dowd on a 2-on-1 to give them a 2-0 lead.</p>
<p>Nate Schmidt scored on a 5-on-3 - his fourth straight game with a goal - with 50.8 seconds remaining in the second period to finally get Minnesota on the board. However, the Huskies responded in the third period with freshman Johnny Brodzinski and senior Drew LeBlanc scoring less than 3 minutes apart. Brodzinski sniped a shot from the blue line that beat Wilcox (a rare soft goal for the freshman goaltender) for his team-leading 14th goal while LeBlanc caught them on a line change for his career-high 40th point this season.</p>
<p>Most of the time a 4-1 lead in the confines of the National Hockey Center would be sufficient enough for fans to start thinking about hitting the exits. It almost looked like everything was going St. Cloud State's way when both Travis Boyd (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a>) and Ben Marshall (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/">Detroit Red Wings</a>) hit the post on the same shift, but instead it was a precursor to a Gopher comeback that came up just short.</p>
<p>With Taylor Johnson in the penalty box for unsportsmanlike conduct, <span>Nick Bjugstad</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a>) hit the third post of the period. This time, however, the puck went in for Bjugstad's 15th goal of the season with 9:07 remaining in regulation. Linemate Nate Condon (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a>) scored on a rebound less than four minutes later to cut the lead to 4-3.</p>
<p>Zach Budish (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Nashville Predators</a>) and Boyd had late chances, Faragher kept everything out of the net before a last-minute penalty killed any momentum the Gophers had.</p>
<p>While the St. Cloud State goalie was the player of the game, it wasn't just a one-man performance; 7 forwards had at least one point. The Huskies countered Minnesota's aggressive offense with several long breakout passes - something they weren't able to do Friday - and made their in-state rivals pay more often that not with their explosive offense. It's hard to win a game when you give up 4 goals, let alone trying to erase a 3 goal deficit in the final 10 minutes. </p>
<p>Minnesota next plays Wisconsin Friday in Madison and Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago. St. Cloud State, meanwhile, is off next week before traveling to Colorado College.</p>
<p><i>For more University of Minnesota coverage, check out </i><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Daily Gopher</i></a><i>. You can also </i><i>SB Nation College Hockey follow us on Twitter <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/sbncollegepuck">@sbncollegepuck</a> and like us on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/SBNationCollegeHockey?fref=ts">Facebook</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>Follow Nate on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/gopherstate" target="_blank">@gopherstate</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/2/9/3972530/gophers-hockey-vs-huskies-st-cloud-state-wins-4-3-to-split-seriesNathan Wells2013-02-09T21:16:56-08:002013-02-09T21:16:56-08:00Post Game Video: Coach Bob Motzko, Kevin Gravel
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<p>Post game video of St. Cloud head coach Bob Motzko, and defenseman Kevin Gravel talking to the media after knocking off No. 1 Minnesota.</p> <p>One night after losing to Minnesota, St. Cloud bounced back and knocked off the No. 1 ranked Gophers, 4-3, at the National Hockey Center Saturday night.</p>
<p>The Gophers out-shot, and out-chanced the Huskies, but goaltender Ryan Faragher stood tall despite a furious third period come back from top ranked Minnesota.</p>
<p>With Saturday's win, the Huskies maintain their lead at the top of the WCHA. St. Cloud leads North Dakota by three points, and Minnesota by five, although the Gophers have two games in hand on the Huskies.</p>
<p>Here are the post-game comments from St. Cloud head coach Bob Motzko, and defenseman <span>Kevin Gravel</span>.</p>
<h4>St. Cloud State Head Coach Bob Motzko</h4>
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<h4>St. Cloud State Defenseman Kevin Gravel <object width="853" height="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9gyyyUSFQCU?hl=en_US&version=3">
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<p><i>For more hockey coverage, follow Andy on Twitter (<b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AndyJohnsonB5Q">@AndyJohnsonB5Q</a></b>)</i></p>
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https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/2/9/3972638/post-game-video-coach-bob-motzko-defenseman-kevin-gravelAndy Johnson2013-02-09T19:42:10-08:002013-02-09T19:42:10-08:00FINAL SCORE: St. Cloud 4, Minnesota 3
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<figcaption>The Huskies celebrate after knocking off No. 1 Minnesota Saturday</figcaption>
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<p>League leading St. Cloud took care of business Saturday night at the National Hockey Center, defeating the Gophers 4-3.</p> <p> </p>
<h4>FIRST PERIOD</h4>
<p>NO Scoring</p>
<p><i>First period notes: </i></p>
<p>-St. Cloud's Jimmy Murray found himself on a breakaway for the second time this weekend. And for the second time this weekend, Murray couldn't convert.</p>
<p>-Minnesota's Sam Warning cuts across the slot all alone and fires a back-hand shot at Ryan Faragher, but the St. Cloud goalie is able to get a shoulder on it.</p>
<p>-Late in the first period Minnesota goaltender <span>Adam Wilcox</span> almost gets caught out of his net, but is able to recover in time.</p>
<p>-Both goaltenders as a whole played outstanding in the first period. Both Wilcox and Faragher had to stop point blank opportunities and were up to the task</p>
<p>-First period shots: Minnesota 12, St. Cloud 7.</p>
<p>-First period faceoffs: Minnesota 12, St. Cloud 11.</p>
<h4>SECOND PERIOD</h4>
<p>1-0 St. Cloud--The Huskies are able to take the 1-0 advantage as Joey Holka picks up his own rebound out front, and then slices a shot with his 8 iron over the shoulder of Wilcox. (Holka from Milan, Faragher)</p>
<p>2-0 St. Cloud--Nic Dowd puts the Huskies up 2-1 as he is able to convert on a nice two-on-one line rush. Jimmy Murray waits out the defenseman and feeds it to Dowd who is able to beat Wilcox on the far post. (Dowd from Murray, Gravel)</p>
<p>2-1 Minnesota--Gophers get one back on a 5x3 PP late in the period. Nate Schmidt is able to one-time a slap shot past Wilcox. (Schmidt from Haula, Budish)</p>
<p><i>Second period notes:</i></p>
<p>-Wilcox comes up big on an opportunity from St. Cloud's top line with around eight minutes to play. LeBlanc feeds a pass to Hanowski who rips a one timer, but Wilcox is there for the save.</p>
<p>-Gophers go on a 5x3 late in the period after Nick Jensen and LeBlanc are sent to the penalty box on the same shift. Gophers end up scoring one goal.</p>
<p>-St. Cloud's Andrew Prochno is all alone in the slot with under :20 seconds to play, but he misses the net.</p>
<p>-Second Period shots: Minnesota 15, St. Cloud 8</p>
<p>-Second Period faceoffs: Minnesota 12, St. CLoud 13</p>
<h4>THIRD PERIOD</h4>
<p>3-1 St. Cloud--Jonny Brodzinski unleashes an absolute laser as soon as he crosses the blue-line and it beats Wilcox high glove side. (Brodzinski from Jensen, Dowd)</p>
<p>4-1 St. Cloud--The Huskies catch the Gophers on a line change as <span>Kalle Kossila</span> headman's the puck to LeBlanc and he does the rest on the breakaway, beating Wilcox love glove side. (LeBlanc from Kossila, Gravel)</p>
<p>4-2 Minnesota--<span>Nick Bjugstad</span> unleashes a bomb on the PP that rings in off the crossbar. (Bjugstad from Budish, Schmidt)</p>
<p>4-3 Minnesota--The Gopher come-back is officially on, as Nate Condon buries a rebound on the doorstep to cut the Huskies lead to just one. (Condon from Alt, Reilly)</p>
<p><i>Third period notes:</i></p>
<p>-Gophers kill off an early penalty to start the period, but the Huskies score shortly after to take the third period momentum at the National Hockey Center. It is LOUD in here tonight.</p>
<p>-Thought the roof might blow off the NHC after the LeBlanc goal.</p>
<p>-Gophers' Ben Marshall and Travis Boyd both hit the post with 10 minutes to play in the third period.</p>
<p>Final shots: Minnesota 39, St. Cloud 21</p>
<p><i>For more hockey coverage, follow Andy on Twitter (<b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AndyJohnsonB5Q">@AndyJohnsonB5Q</a></b>)</i></p>
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https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/2/9/3972254/final-score-st-cloud-4-minnesota-3Andy Johnson2013-02-09T16:16:00-08:002013-02-09T16:16:00-08:00Gophers vs Huskies: Saturday Night Line Charts
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<p>We're back live at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn., for game two between the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and the St. Cloud State Huskies. Here are tonight's line charts.</p>
<h4>MINNESOTA LINES</h4>
<p>Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Nate Condon<br>Sam Warning-Erik Haula-Zach Budish<br>Tom Serratore-Travis Boyd-Seth Ambroz<br>A.J. Michaelson-Christian Isackson-Justin Holl</p>
<p>Seth Helgeson-Ben Marshall<br>Mike Reilly-Mark ALt<br>Brady Skjei-Nate Schmidt</p>
<p><span>Adam Wilcox</span><br>Michael Schibrowski</p>
<h4>ST. CLOUD LINES</h4>
<p>Ben Hanowski-Drew LeBlanc-Kalle Kossila<br>Jimmy Murray-Nic Dowd-Jonny Brodzinski<br>Joey Benik-Cory Thorson-Brooks Bertsch<br>Garrett Milan-Joe Rehkamp-Joey Holka</p>
<p>Andrew Prochno-Nick Jensen<br>Kevin Gravel-Ethan Prow<br>Tim Daly-Taylor Johnson</p>
<p>Ryan Faragher<br>Rasmus Reijola<br>Joseph Phillippi</p>
https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/2/9/3972000/gopher-hockey-line-charts-stcloud-huskies-wchaAndy Johnson2013-02-08T22:02:53-08:002013-02-08T22:02:53-08:00Post Game Video: Lucia, Haula, Schmidt
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<figcaption>University of Minnesota Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>Minnesota knocked off WCHA leader St. Cloud, 4-2, Friday night at the National Hockey Center. </p> <p>Minnesota's best players were its best players Friday night vs St. Cloud, and when that happens the Gophers usually find their way in the win column. <span>Nick Bjugstad</span>, Nate Schmidt, and Erik Haula all found the back of the net in the 4-2 win, with Haula doing it twice.</p>
<p>Haula actually broke his skate in the early part of the third period. Thankfully, Gopher equipment manager Lee Greseth was there to save the day.</p>
<p>As soon as Haula broke the skate, Greseth rushed to the locker room to get one of Haula's backup skates. After bringing Haula his backup, Greseth returned to the locker room with the broken skate, repaired it, and had it back to Haula in a matter of minutes. Haula estimated he only missed one shift in the whole mess.</p>
<p>Two shifts later, Haula scored the game winning goal on a beautiful line-rush started by Nate Schmidt.</p>
<p>Here's what the Gopher players and coaching staff had to say after their huge win over WCHA leading St. Cloud Friday night.</p>
<h4>DON LUCIA POST GAME INTERVIEW</h4>
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<h4>ERIK HAULA POST GAME INTERVIEW</h4>
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<h4>NATE SCHMIDT POST GAME INTERVIEW</h4>
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<p><i>For more hockey coverage, follow Andy on Twitter (<b><a href="https://twitter.com/AndyJohnsonB5Q" target="_blank">@AndyJohnsonB5Q</a></b>)</i></p>
<p><i>You can also reach Andy via e-mail (<b>AndyJohnsonB5Q@gmail.com</b>)</i></p>
https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/2/8/3969904/post-game-video-haula-credits-equipment-manager-in-victoryAndy Johnson2013-02-08T21:05:59-08:002013-02-08T21:05:59-08:00Haula! Haula! Junior scores twice in 4-2 win
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<img alt="University of Minnesota junior forward Erik Haula" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xqFBUCgMlEXk8sSan48lr509hA4=/0x0:1099x733/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7886585/haula__erik33.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>University of Minnesota junior forward Erik Haula | Minnesota Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>Two goals by Erik Haula and Nate Schmidt 58 seconds apart in the 3rd period proved to be the difference as the top-ranked Gophers snapped St. Cloud State's nine-game WCHA unbeaten streak.</p> <p>Minnesota may have been idle last week but they did not show any rust against the Huskies.</p>
<p>The top-ranked Gophers came out strong early on the road Friday night against St. Cloud State (17-11-1, 14-6-1 WCHA) at the National Hockey Center as Minnesota (19-4-4, 11-4-4 WCHA) won 4-2. Two 3rd period goals by Erik Haula (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a>), who had two Friday night, and Nate Schmidt 58 seconds apart proved to be the difference in the first of a two-game series between the in-state rivals.</p>
<p>Ryan Faragher made 38 saves while Joey Benik and Drew LeBlanc scored for the WCHA-leading Huskies, who lost for the fifth time in six games against the Gophers.</p>
<p>Following a <a href="http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog.com/2013/2/8/3969482/gophers-hockey-zach-budish-has-two-goals-waved-off-in-the-first-period" target="_blank">waved off goal by Zach Budish</a> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Nashville Predators</a>), junior <span>Nick Bjugstad</span> got the maroon and gold team on the board 8:45 into the game. Bjugstad parked himself in front of St. Cloud State goaltender Ryan Faragher and put a Kyle Rau (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Panthers</a>) rebound past him for a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>With the goal, Bjugstad now has 6 goals in 6 games against the Huskies.</p>
<p>Minnesota thought they were up 2-0 less than 3 minutes later, but yet another potential goal by Budish - this time on the power play - was overturned. St. Cloud State, who entered Friday's game with a 9 game conference unbeaten streak, responded well following the waved-off goal. Benik stepped up with 5:12 remaining in the first to score his first collegiate goal and took the 1-1 tie into the locker room.</p>
<p>Erik Haula put the Gophers back on top when he scored the lone goal of the second period. The junior forward, who leads the team with 33 points, sniped a shot off the post and past Faragher. However, St. Cloud State's Drew LeBlanc matched him shot-for-shot as the fifth-year senior scored on the power play 3:59 into the 3rd period to tie the game at two.</p>
<p>The Huskies had momentum following the goal by LeBlanc, who is second in the nation in scoring with 39 points, but could not find a way past <span>Adam Wilcox</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>). The Gopher goalie made 22 saves, including a late breakaway on Jimmy Murray. That paid off during a stretch of 4-on-4 play when Minnesota took advantage of their speed and the Olympic-sized ice to bend SCSU's will with two goals.</p>
<p>First, Nate Schmidt found a streaking Haula and the Pori, Finland native scored his 13th goal of the season with 10:28 remaining. 58 seconds later Schmidt went from the assist maker to the goal scorer when <span>Brady Skjei</span> (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a>) found him open across the ice.</p>
<p>The junior defenseman has 27 points (7G-20A) to lead all college hockey defensemen.</p>
<p>With the win, Minnesota is in a three-way tie for second with North Dakota and Nebraska-Omaha; three points behind St. Cloud State. The Gophers, however, have two games in hand.</p>
<p>---</p>
<p>Minnesota and St. Cloud State play again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports North Plus and FCS Atlantic.</p>
<p><i>For more University of Minnesota coverage, check out </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/"><i>The Daily Gopher</i></a><i>. You can also </i><i>SB Nation College Hockey follow us on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sbncollegepuck" target="_blank">@sbncollegepuck</a> and like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SBNationCollegeHockey?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>Follow Nate on Twitter <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/gopherstate">@gopherstate</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/2/8/3969776/gophers-vs-huskies-erik-haula-scores-twice-as-minnesota-wins-4-2Nathan Wells2013-02-08T20:05:46-08:002013-02-08T20:05:46-08:00FINAL SCORE: Minnesota 4, St. Cloud 2
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<img alt="Erik Haula had two goals to lead the Gophers past St. Cloud Friday night." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7XJJ39gaHc5ch3ZgMiA3EbghPk=/200x0:1098x599/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7884843/haula__erik33.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Erik Haula had two goals to lead the Gophers past St. Cloud Friday night. | University Of Minnesota Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>The Gophers were able to knock off league leading St. Cloud Friday night thanks in large part to the third period play of St. Cloud native Nate Schmidt.</p> <h4>FIRST PERIOD</h4>
<p><b>1-0 Minnesota-</b><span>Nick Bjugstad</span> gives the Gophers an early lead when he picks up a loose puck out front and scores. (Rau, Isackson)</p>
<p><b>1-1 St. Cloud-</b>Joey Benik notches the first goal of his career when he rips one past Gopher goalie <span>Adam Wilcox</span> 14:48 into the first period. (Thorson)</p>
<p><i>First period notes: </i></p>
<p>-Zack Budish had TWO goals waived off during the first period for goalie interference.<br>-Wilcox stoned Andrew Prochno just one minute into the game on a great line-rush.<br>-Ben Hanowski hit the post three minutes into the game for St. Cloud.<br>-On top of his two goals being waived off, Budish also hit a post in the period.<br>-Shots were 9-7 Minnesota. Faceoffs were 12-8 Minnesota.</p>
<h4>SECOND PERIOD</h4>
<p><b>2-1 Minnesota</b>-Erik Haula comes down the wing on his off hand, and then quickly snaps one under the blocker of Ryan Faragher. (Alt)</p>
<p><i>Second period notes: </i></p>
<p>-St. Cloud's third defensive pairing of Tim Daly and Taylor Johnson is really struggling to keep pace with the Gophers.<br>-Seth Helgeson dove to break up a line-rush from the Huskies. Great play by Helgeson. <br>-Gophers' top two lines are pretty much a fluid situation right now. Haula started the game on the top line on the wing, but has spent time at center between Budish and Warning. Haula also centered a shift with Warning and Condon as his wingers.<br>-LeBlanc and Hanowski had a two-on-zero late in the period, but LeBlanc passed it to Hanowski instead of shooting. Hanowski was on his wrong hand and couldn't get a shot off.<br>-With under a minute to play, Faragher stopped Haula on a break twice as he cut across the front of his net.</p>
<h4>THIRD PERIOD</h4>
<p><b>2-2 St. Cloud</b>-Drew LeBlanc evens this one up on the power play as he rips a shot from the point past Wilcox for his 9th goal of the season. Lot of energy in the building at this point. (Kossila, Jensen)</p>
<p><b>3-2 Minnesota</b>-Haula nets his second of the night on a two-on-one. Great play by Nate Schmidt picking up the loose puck and starting the transition the other way. Schmidt carries the puck the length of the ice and dishes it to Haula who cuts back against the grain on Faragher for the 3-2 Gopher lead. (Schmidt)</p>
<p><b>4-2 Minnesota</b>-St. Cloud native Nate Schmidt extends the Gophers' lead by two goals as he absolutely hammers a slap shot past Faragher from the faceoff circle. (Skjei, Rau)</p>
<p><i>Third period notes:</i></p>
<p>-Erik Haula broke a tuuk on his skate that had to be replaced early in the period. The equipment manager had to run across the ice to the locker room and find him a backup skate, and then run back out to the bench to give it to him. Then the poor equipment guy had to take the broken skate back to the locker room, fix it, and bring it back out for Haula to wear. He missed about five minutes of action.</p>
<p>-Outstanding transition on Haula's second goal from Schmidt. Shocking how quick the Gophers can turn things around the other way on opportunities like that.</p>
<p>-The Nic Dowd line had a really nice shift down two goals with about six minutes remaining, but couldn't find the back of the net.</p>
<p>-St. Cloud's Jimmy Murray had a clean break away with a little over three minutes to play, but Adam Wilcox was solid in the net and shut him down.</p>
https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/2/8/3969766/final-score-minnesota-4-st-cloud-2Andy Johnson