Pregame Blog: Gophers learning from mistakes, Senior Day line combinations vs Ohio State, TV, Radio & More

Records: No. 10/9 Minnesota (19-13-1, 10-10-1-1 Big Ten), No. 6 Ohio State (19-8-4, 12-8-1-0 Big Ten)
Date: Saturday February 17, 2018
Time: 4:00 pm CT
Location: 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, MN
TV: ESPNU (John Buccigross and Sean Ritchlin)
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM in Twin Cities (Wally Shaver and Frank Mazzocco)
Stream: Watch ESPN/TSN Go
Nate is covering for tonight: Zone Coverage/The Athletic
Last night's recap: Minnesota defeats #6 OSU 2-1

Winning six of seven games, Brent Gates Jr. believes some of the puzzle pieces are starting to come together on the Gopher offense.

"We've put in a lot of hard work. It's been a bit of an up and down season and I think everyone knows that," he said. "Everyone else knows we have the firepower and it's about playing good hockey at the right time. That's what we're starting to do."

Minnesota's offense seemed to click more in spite of Sean Romeo making 26 saves and allowing two goals Friday. The Gophers are connecting on passes and maintaining possession.

Where it was common to see Minnesota get one shot and give up possession, the Gophers over the last three games are getting second and third chances on one shift. Gates' goal came off of a rebound opportunity. Jack Glover, nearing the two year anniversary of his last goal, broke through on a shift where Rem Pitlick and Casey Mittelstadt won puck battles to keep the puck in the Minnesota offensive zone.

"I thought Casey's line (with Pitlick and Brannon McManus) had some really good looks. We've touched on Brannon. He seems to be playing better. Rem, he's being more assertive in a game instead of waiting for the game to come to him," said head coach Don Lucia, who added postgame he expects today's quick turnaround to result in another close game.

Getting the offense going adds another weapon for Minnesota as the team looks to play its best hockey at the end of the season. Defeating Ohio State Friday puts the Gophers in a spot where it'd be difficult, if not impossible, to fall out of the NCAA Tournament field.

It also puts the team within reach of returning to Mariucci for the Big Ten quarterfinals in two weeks. Minnesota needs two points today to finish at worst fourth and clinch home ice.

For Gates, the journey is not over, but it's helped guide the team to what it hopes is its destination.

"We've tried to learn from our mistakes and put them behind us and not dwell on them. We've been growing as a team all year," said Gates. We draw back on those mistakes, but also the times we've figured out our mistakes and made good things happen. We can draw back on those too."

Easiest power play meeting

Despite out-shooting Ohio State 28-22, the Gophers did not have a single power play Friday. That doesn't happen often. Minnesota last went without a power play in a game March 9, 2013 against Bemidji State.

When asked about the lack of penalties a week after the Gophers had 7 power plays, Lucia took his time to answer.

"There wasn't a lot. I just felt that there was a couple maybe (that could have been called), but we won the game and that's all that matters," he said.

Lucia added he won't need to hold a power play meeting tomorrow.

Sadek's save

Gopher players and coaches on Jack Sadek's last-minute clear and the importance of hanging on for the win.

Glover: "We're all pretty dialed in at that point. We got each other's back, we knew what we were playing for."

Lucia: "You have to have a little puck luck once in a while too. We know we didn't have a lot the first half of the year and maybe we're making up for it a little right now. As always, when you need a big save Mat's there to make the save, which helps too."

Gates: "A 2-1 game, that's playoff hockey. That's how it's going to be come tournament time. It's good to get a couple of those wins under our belt."

Lineups:

Minnesota makes two changes on Senior Day. Clayton Phillips is in the lineup for Joey Marooney as the Gophers go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Senior Nick Lehr is listed as the third goalie instead of Brock Kautz.

Unfortunately for Leon Bristedt, he remains out of Minnesota's regular season finale due to illness. He will participate in the Senior Day ceremony pregame.

University of Minnesota Golden Gophers

Forwards:
Rem Pitlick (#15) - Casey Mittelstadt (#21) - Brannon McManus (#7)
Brent Gates Jr. (#10) - Tommy Novak (#17) - Tyler Sheehy (#22)
Ryan Norman (#23) - Mike Szmatula (#9) - Scott Reedy (#19)
Darian Romanko (#26) - Jack Ramsey (#16)

Defense:
Ryan Lindgren (#5) - Jack Sadek (#2)
Steve Johnson (#4) - Tyler Nanne (#29)
Ryan Zuhlsdorf (#20) - Jack Glover (#3)
Clayton Phillips (#6)

Goaltenders:
Eric Schierhorn (#37)
Mat Robson (#40)
Nick Lehr (#34)

(The) Ohio State University Buckeyes

Forwards:
Freddy Gerard (#15) - Matthew Weis (#16) - Tanner Laczynski (#9)
John Wiitala (#10) - Mason Jobst (#26) - Luke Stork (#27)
Kevin Miller (#19) - Ronnie Hein (#40) - Christian Lampasso (#18)
Austin Pooley (#14) - Brendon Kearney (#25) - Sam McCormick (#17)

Defense:
Sasha Larocque (#3) - Wyatt Ege (#7)
Gordi Myer (#5) - Matt Miller (#50)
Janik Moser (#20) - Matt Joyaux (#46)

Goaltending:
Sean Romeo (#30)
Evan Moyse (#31)
Tommy Nappier (#37)

Italics indicate starter.

-------
If you enjoyed this blog, you can follow Nate on Twitter and like/subscribe to my Facebook page. Thanks!