Author's note: I realized I never linked to this feature over at The Athletic, which was written after the Ohio State series and prior to Minnesota losing to Penn State. Keep that in mind when reading.
If you haven't subscribed to The Athletic and want to find out about the quality journalism, no ads or clickbait for the price of a coffee a month, let me know so I can hook up with a deal.
Prior to the final six games of the regular season, Minnesota’s underclassmen had a goal to give their five seniors one more chance to play at home after the two remaining guaranteed regular-season home games. To get there, the Gophers, sixth place in the Big Ten at the time, needed to finish fourth in order to ensure a best-of-three conference tournament quarterfinal series would be at Mariucci.
Three wins and a tie later, Minnesota is in reach of that goal.
Senior Day came and went Saturday afternoon. Minnesota held a pregame ceremony before facing Ohio State. Every freshman, sophomore and junior sat on the bench watching their teammates be honored.
“I’ve been so blessed and so rewarded to come to this program. It’s a decision I’ll never forget,” senior defenseman Steve Johnson told The Athletic.
Click here to read the rest!
Showing posts with label Leon Bristedt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leon Bristedt. Show all posts
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Podcast: That Gopher Hockey Puckcast Episode 19
On Episode 19, the Gopher offense comes alive in Madison.
Nate Wells, Drew Cove and producer Tom Schreier discuss all of Minnesota's road sweep over Wisconsin. Offense gets a lot of discussion - well deserved with the Gophers winning 7-1 Saturday and seeing several scoring droughts snapped - but Mat Robson and the Minnesota blue line get their fair shake, as well. So does Nick Seeler making his NHL debut, the latest Gopher alum to do so.
They then turn their attention to this weekend's opponent, Ohio State. Plus: The Big Ten race for home ice and Minnesota's NCAA Tournament standing (spoiler: it's good) are topics of discussion before opening the mailbag.
Those trying to move around in the Joe Louis Arena press box without running into anyone can directly download here.
As a reminder, if you subscribed to our old podcast, that feed will no longer work. You need to subscribe to the 'Cast In Gold feed wherever you listen to podcasts. Here it is on iTunes. While you're at it, please leave a review and give us five stars. It helps out the podcast.
-Nate can be found here on this website and at The Athletic (as well as every other website if the various links here don't make clear). You can follow him on Twitter @gopherstate and like/subscribe to his Facebook page.
Nate Wells, Drew Cove and producer Tom Schreier discuss all of Minnesota's road sweep over Wisconsin. Offense gets a lot of discussion - well deserved with the Gophers winning 7-1 Saturday and seeing several scoring droughts snapped - but Mat Robson and the Minnesota blue line get their fair shake, as well. So does Nick Seeler making his NHL debut, the latest Gopher alum to do so.
They then turn their attention to this weekend's opponent, Ohio State. Plus: The Big Ten race for home ice and Minnesota's NCAA Tournament standing (spoiler: it's good) are topics of discussion before opening the mailbag.
Those trying to move around in the Joe Louis Arena press box without running into anyone can directly download here.
As a reminder, if you subscribed to our old podcast, that feed will no longer work. You need to subscribe to the 'Cast In Gold feed wherever you listen to podcasts. Here it is on iTunes. While you're at it, please leave a review and give us five stars. It helps out the podcast.
Plugs and stuff
-Drew can be found on Twitter @covedrew and covers Minnesota men's hockey and football for the Minnesota Daily. His latest story is on forwards Darian Romanko and Jack Ramsey thriving in their defensive roles.-Nate can be found here on this website and at The Athletic (as well as every other website if the various links here don't make clear). You can follow him on Twitter @gopherstate and like/subscribe to his Facebook page.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Game Story: Border Battle ends with 7-1 Minnesota win and sweep
Droughts snapped, Minnesota’s offense came out of hibernation in front of Kohl Center’s first sellout crowd since 2014.
The Border Battle ended Saturday with the visiting Gophers leaving Madison in dominating fashion with the team’s first true road sweep of the season. With 15,000 fans watching, Minnesota defeated Wisconsin 7-1 Saturday.
“It’s one of those nights where we haven’t had much puck luck all year long with guys scoring goals. Tonight they went in,” said Minnesota head coach Don Lucia. “The guys we needed to score scored.”
All four lines scored for Minnesota (18-13-1, 9-10-1-1 Big Ten), whose seven goals were a season high. The Gopher power play, which had been an abysmal 3 for its last 54 attempts over a 13 game stretch, matched that total Saturday.
Mat Robson, making his fifth consecutive start, stopped 23 of 24 shots for the Gophers.
“Our team did a real good job keeping (Wisconsin) to the perimeter and made my job really easy and I feel they made me look really good all weekend,” he said.
The Border Battle ended Saturday with the visiting Gophers leaving Madison in dominating fashion with the team’s first true road sweep of the season. With 15,000 fans watching, Minnesota defeated Wisconsin 7-1 Saturday.
“It’s one of those nights where we haven’t had much puck luck all year long with guys scoring goals. Tonight they went in,” said Minnesota head coach Don Lucia. “The guys we needed to score scored.”
All four lines scored for Minnesota (18-13-1, 9-10-1-1 Big Ten), whose seven goals were a season high. The Gopher power play, which had been an abysmal 3 for its last 54 attempts over a 13 game stretch, matched that total Saturday.
Mat Robson, making his fifth consecutive start, stopped 23 of 24 shots for the Gophers.
“Our team did a real good job keeping (Wisconsin) to the perimeter and made my job really easy and I feel they made me look really good all weekend,” he said.
Click here to read the rest!
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Game Story: Minnesota falls to Michigan (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- Fourteen seconds into Friday’s game, the Gophers trailed Michigan.
Playing catch-up at home from the opening shot to the final minute, No. 9 Minnesota fell to the Wolverines 5-3 and extended a four-game conference losing streak. The Gophers are 1-7-1 in their last nine Big Ten conference games.
“We don’t want to start the game the first shift and get scored on,” said Brannon McManus, one of three Gopher freshmen forwards to score on Friday. “We have to start fast and obviously we didn’t. It set up behind a little bit.”
Minnesota (13-11-1, 4-8-1-1 Big Ten) did have a chance to tie the game with 41.4 seconds remaining on a power play. Setting up for an offensive zone faceoff, the Gophers — having already used their timeout on a failed offsides challenge — could not control the puck.
Michigan’s Brendan Warren took advantage to get the puck and easily scored on an empty net, turnovers and struggling defensemen bookending Minnesota’s night.
Playing catch-up at home from the opening shot to the final minute, No. 9 Minnesota fell to the Wolverines 5-3 and extended a four-game conference losing streak. The Gophers are 1-7-1 in their last nine Big Ten conference games.
“We don’t want to start the game the first shift and get scored on,” said Brannon McManus, one of three Gopher freshmen forwards to score on Friday. “We have to start fast and obviously we didn’t. It set up behind a little bit.”
Minnesota (13-11-1, 4-8-1-1 Big Ten) did have a chance to tie the game with 41.4 seconds remaining on a power play. Setting up for an offensive zone faceoff, the Gophers — having already used their timeout on a failed offsides challenge — could not control the puck.
Michigan’s Brendan Warren took advantage to get the puck and easily scored on an empty net, turnovers and struggling defensemen bookending Minnesota’s night.
Click here to read the rest!
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Feature: Gopher hockey runs into hot goalie and a great team in South Bend (The Athletic)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Solving Cale Morris and Notre Dame’s defense is easier said than done.
For most of its weekend series against the fourth-ranked Irish, Minnesota’s offense happily executed its game plan, sustaining pressure in the offensive end while the entire lineup put shots on goal.
Morris and company were up to the challenge, however, in a battle between the Big Ten’s best at Compton Family Ice Arena. He stopped 84 of 86 shots, not allowing an even-strength goal on the weekend, as then-No. 6 Minnesota lost 1-0 Friday and 5-2 Saturday, the difference between good and great on full display.
“It’s frustrating because we did some good things, and I’d say five of our six periods were pretty good,” Gophers head coach Don Lucia told The Athletic following Saturday’s defeat. “(Notre Dame)’s a good team. We didn’t do enough to give ourselves a chance to win.”
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For most of its weekend series against the fourth-ranked Irish, Minnesota’s offense happily executed its game plan, sustaining pressure in the offensive end while the entire lineup put shots on goal.
Morris and company were up to the challenge, however, in a battle between the Big Ten’s best at Compton Family Ice Arena. He stopped 84 of 86 shots, not allowing an even-strength goal on the weekend, as then-No. 6 Minnesota lost 1-0 Friday and 5-2 Saturday, the difference between good and great on full display.
“It’s frustrating because we did some good things, and I’d say five of our six periods were pretty good,” Gophers head coach Don Lucia told The Athletic following Saturday’s defeat. “(Notre Dame)’s a good team. We didn’t do enough to give ourselves a chance to win.”
Click here to read the rest!*
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Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Game Story: Gopher Seniors Score First Goals as Minnesota Gets First Season Sweep (Zone Coverage)
— Nate Wells (@gopherstate) October 29, 2017
MINNEAPOLIS- October closes with a sweep.
Beginning the season with three weekends where No. 7 Minnesota won one game and lost one, the Gophers found some consistency this weekend against No. 9 Clarkson. For the first time this year, the team won twice in a weekend.
Seniors Leon Bristedt and Mike Szmatula each scored a power-play goal Saturday to help lead Minnesota to a 2-1 win over the Golden Knights.
“Early on we were struggling trying to find our identity. I think the older guys kind of put that on ourselves,” Szmatula said. “We know we’re going to go through some tough times and it’s just about you keep getting back up when you get knocked down.”
No players felt more comfortable Saturday night than Szmatula and Bristedt — and for good reason. Both had yet to score a goal this season entering the game.
Click here to read the rest!
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Leon Bristedt suspended for Sunday's game
University of Minnesota senior forward Leon Bristedt will miss Sunday's game against Penn State after being suspended by the Big Ten for one game.
Bristedt, who is without a point in three games this season, was assessed a game misconduct for checking Nittany Lions forward James Gobetz from behind into the wall during Minnesota's 3-1 loss Friday. The conference determined it was aggregious enough to earn supplementary discipline.
The play came with his team on the penalty kill 8:47 into the second period.
Gopher head coach Don Lucia was okay with the checking from behind call when asked after Friday's game.
"That's a safety issue. You don't go into the boards and push a guy in his numbers, putting him in a really vulnerable position. I have no problem with the call," he said. "(Leon) knows better. He's a senior. You wrap up a guy in that situation, but you don't check him from behind."
This is Bristedt's second career suspension. He missed one game in March 2016 for spearing Michigan State captain Michael Ferrantino in a play that did not earn a penalty.
--
In case you missed it, I have a new professional Facebook page for my college hockey writing. Please like and follow at www.facebook.com/natewellswriteshockey/
You can also follow Nate on Twitter @gopherstate
Bristedt, who is without a point in three games this season, was assessed a game misconduct for checking Nittany Lions forward James Gobetz from behind into the wall during Minnesota's 3-1 loss Friday. The conference determined it was aggregious enough to earn supplementary discipline.
The play came with his team on the penalty kill 8:47 into the second period.
Gopher head coach Don Lucia was okay with the checking from behind call when asked after Friday's game.
"That's a safety issue. You don't go into the boards and push a guy in his numbers, putting him in a really vulnerable position. I have no problem with the call," he said. "(Leon) knows better. He's a senior. You wrap up a guy in that situation, but you don't check him from behind."
This is Bristedt's second career suspension. He missed one game in March 2016 for spearing Michigan State captain Michael Ferrantino in a play that did not earn a penalty.
--
In case you missed it, I have a new professional Facebook page for my college hockey writing. Please like and follow at www.facebook.com/natewellswriteshockey/
You can also follow Nate on Twitter @gopherstate
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
BLOG: How to get your offseason hockey fix & watch Gophers all at once
Friday and Saturday marked the midpoint of Minnesota's offseason. Each passing day brings us closer to the start of a new year, so it should be no surprise that mid-July features players ramping up in preparation.
In addition to ongoing NHL development camps, several University of Minnesota players are spending their July and August participating in Da Beauty League. Featuring Twin Cities-based NHLers, minor leaguers and collegians playing 4x4 hockey at Braemar Arena in Edina, the league's second season begins today (July 12, 2017) and runs through August. For three games a night (5:10 pm, 6:35 pm, 8:00 pm) at $10 it's a decent value.
In addition to ongoing NHL development camps, several University of Minnesota players are spending their July and August participating in Da Beauty League. Featuring Twin Cities-based NHLers, minor leaguers and collegians playing 4x4 hockey at Braemar Arena in Edina, the league's second season begins today (July 12, 2017) and runs through August. For three games a night (5:10 pm, 6:35 pm, 8:00 pm) at $10 it's a decent value.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Tyler Sheehy named 2017-18 Gopher Hockey Captain
(Author's note: Been extremely busy of late so I'm doing some catching up on news that happened last week/early this week. Thanks all for being patient and understanding.)
First team All-American forward Tyler Sheehy can add University of Minnesota team captain to his growing list of honors.
Needing to replace its entire leadership core for the third time in six seasons, Minnesota announced Monday (April 24, 2017) that Sheehy would be the next player to wear a "C" for the Gopher men's hockey team.
First team All-American forward Tyler Sheehy can add University of Minnesota team captain to his growing list of honors.
Needing to replace its entire leadership core for the third time in six seasons, Minnesota announced Monday (April 24, 2017) that Sheehy would be the next player to wear a "C" for the Gopher men's hockey team.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
What's Next? A Look At The 2017-18 Minnesota Men's Hockey Roster (Part 1)
The movie never ends. The soap opera is told and unfolds. But the beat goes on, and so do we.Casey Mittelstadt makes it looks effortless #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/qdXeQ5dmLf— USHL (@USHL) March 26, 2017
Tickets remain to be punched (or, since it's 2017, they are more likely to be scanned off of a smartphone) for this year's Frozen Four. With Minnesota's season over following yesterday's 3-2 upset loss to Notre Dame, attention turns away from the Northeast Regional and Chicago.
Instead, let's take a look to the 2017-18 season, which begins (and could end) in the Twin Cities. Minnesota sees plenty of turnover. A large senior class departs for the pros and real life. In their place, head coach Don Lucia brings in his best recruiting class on paper since 2010-11.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Game Story: Gophers sweep Penn State behind Leon Bristedt's hat trick (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
2/4/2017 Game Story
Penn State 2
Minnesota 5
FINAL
MINNEAPOLIS- Leon Bristedt’s smile gave it away. The University of Minnesota junior forward ended Saturday night feeling good after completing his first collegiate hat trick.
His team shared in the feeling. The Gophers defeated Penn State 5-2 at Mariucci Arena to sweep the Nittany Lions in a series between teams heading in different directions.
“It’s always good when you win. It doesn’t really matter who you win against or what it is, but Penn State is a little special and it feels good that we got the sweep here,” Bristedt said.
The Gophers (17-7-2, 8-2-0-0 Big Ten) handed Penn State (16-6-2, 5-4-1-0) its fourth consecutive loss, becoming the first team this season to beat the Nittany Lions on consecutive nights.
Minnesota remained tied with Wisconsin, which defeated Michigan State in overtime, on top the Big Ten with 24 points each.
“We have to stay humble. We play them in two weeks again, so then we have a new series,” Bristedt said.
Minnesota bounced back from a pair of early deficits to take control during a three-goal second period. Penn State, having posted a season-low 29 shots a night prior in a 5-1 loss, finished with 40 on net Saturday.
Click here to read the rest!
Penn State 2
Minnesota 5
FINAL
MINNEAPOLIS- Leon Bristedt’s smile gave it away. The University of Minnesota junior forward ended Saturday night feeling good after completing his first collegiate hat trick.
His team shared in the feeling. The Gophers defeated Penn State 5-2 at Mariucci Arena to sweep the Nittany Lions in a series between teams heading in different directions.
“It’s always good when you win. It doesn’t really matter who you win against or what it is, but Penn State is a little special and it feels good that we got the sweep here,” Bristedt said.
The Gophers (17-7-2, 8-2-0-0 Big Ten) handed Penn State (16-6-2, 5-4-1-0) its fourth consecutive loss, becoming the first team this season to beat the Nittany Lions on consecutive nights.
Minnesota remained tied with Wisconsin, which defeated Michigan State in overtime, on top the Big Ten with 24 points each.
“We have to stay humble. We play them in two weeks again, so then we have a new series,” Bristedt said.
Minnesota bounced back from a pair of early deficits to take control during a three-goal second period. Penn State, having posted a season-low 29 shots a night prior in a 5-1 loss, finished with 40 on net Saturday.
Click here to read the rest!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Puck Dynasty Podcast: What should the Gophers expect from Penn State? (Episode 12)
Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.
This week’s episode begins by reviewing the fourth and final North Star College Cup. Minnesota’s lessons in defeat, Minnesota Duluth’s team in victory, Eric Schierhorn’s goaltending, scoring depth and the good, bad and ugly of the weekend tournament get discussed. The crew then looks ahead to Minnesota hosting Penn State at Mariucci Arena on Friday and Saturday and resetting the Big Ten. Four teams are within seven points of the lead with six weekends to go.
Afterwards Twitter questions on Penn State’s shot numbers and Leon Bristedt get answered.
Listeners trying to ice a lineup of six Scott Stevens on the blue line can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast Onesubscribe on iTunes
@gopherstate@dexstweets@drewcove48
This week’s episode begins by reviewing the fourth and final North Star College Cup. Minnesota’s lessons in defeat, Minnesota Duluth’s team in victory, Eric Schierhorn’s goaltending, scoring depth and the good, bad and ugly of the weekend tournament get discussed. The crew then looks ahead to Minnesota hosting Penn State at Mariucci Arena on Friday and Saturday and resetting the Big Ten. Four teams are within seven points of the lead with six weekends to go.
Afterwards Twitter questions on Penn State’s shot numbers and Leon Bristedt get answered.
Listeners trying to ice a lineup of six Scott Stevens on the blue line can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast Onesubscribe on iTunes
@gopherstate@dexstweets@drewcove48
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