Podcast: That Gopher Hockey Puckcast Episode 31

On episode 31 of That Gopher Hockey Puckcast, we kick off season 3 of podcasting about college hockey.

Fresh off attending the University of Minnesota men's hockey media day, Nate Wells and Drew Cove break down the 2018-19 Gophers. From players to watch to expectations for the season to new sweaters and more, the two answer all the questions you have about how the team will do in Bob Motzko's first year as Minnesota head coach. They also preview this weekend's opening home-and-home series against Minnesota Duluth. Plus: Some Joe Mauer and Gritty talk.

Those who get nervous meeting Neal Broten for the first time can directly download here.



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Plugs and stuff

-Drew can be found on Twitter @covedrew and is the sports editor for the Minnesota Daily. His byline can also be found in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

-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.

-Tom can be found on Twitter @tschreier3. He is the Founder and President of Zone Coverage.

Game Story: Minnesota Women Shut Out, Sweep Mercyhurst (Zone Coverage)

MINNEAPOLIS- Towards the end of the first period, when the shot counter was a lopsided 20-1 for the home team it became apparent that the Gophers had found a better start against No. 10 Mercyhurst.

That continued throughout Saturday’s game.

No. 3 Minnesota (2-0-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA) won 5-0 to sweep the Lakers at Ridder Arena thanks to a three-goal second period and two goals by sophomore forward Grace Zumwinkle.

Outshooting Mercyhurst (0-2-0, 0-0-0 CHA) 20-4 in the first period and 43-17 overall, the home team scored in all three periods.

“We just challenged them a little more. When our teams have been at their best, they’ve just not been a second-period team. They’ve been a three-period team,” said Gopher head coach Brad Frost. “Last night as we watched video back the first four shifts were pretty good, then it came to a screeching halt. We needed to build on that momentum.”

Click here to read the rest!

Game Story: Familiar Faces & Lines Lead Minnesota to Season-Opening Win (Zone Coverage)

MINNEAPOLIS- Opening the season trailing after twenty minutes, some new old faces got the Gophers on the winning track against No. 10 Mercyhurst.

No. 3 Minnesota scored four unanswered goals after changing lines, defeating the Lakers 4-2 in the season opener for both teams. Kelly Pannek and Sarah Potomak, in their return to wearing the maroon and gold, each finished with two points.

“We just needed something to spark some energy and that happened to be changing lines,” said Pannek, who spent the 2017-18 season winning an Olympic gold medal with the United States national team. “What was really cool is that everyone responded so well to it. You saw four units go out there and possess the puck, make awesome plays and it was really fun to see everyone gel and click like that so quickly.”

Minnesota (1-0-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA) began the game with its top forwards spread out across all four lines. Head coach Brad Frost wanted to have balance, however, the team wasn’t able to pressure Mercyhurst (0-1-0, 0-0-0 CHA) goaltender Kennedy Blair.

Instead, the Lakers got chances and made the most of a 12 second power play when Emma Nuuitinen shot the puck past sophomore goalie Alex Gulstene.

Click here to read the rest!

WCHA Women's Preview: Influx of Olympic talent boosts a loaded group (The Athletic)

College hockey is back. In the WCHA, so are several of the sport’s top players.

If the topsy-turvy turnover nature that surrounded 2017-18 was an opening for several teams then 2018-19 is a return to the status quo. The year is a bit of a comeback season for the conference. Despite three teams in the eight-team NCAA tournament and two Frozen Four finalists, the year ended empty. For the first time since women’s ice hockey was sponsored by the NCAA in 2000, no WCHA team made the championship game.

It’s also a comeback in the fact that many top collegians are returning after spending a year centralized with their country training for the Olympics. Several teams restock with leaders. Others are getting Olympians as freshmen.

Of the four players given votes for Preseason WCHA Player of the Year, none played college hockey in 2017-18. (Even two of the three nominees for the Preseason Rookie of the Year award delayed their enrollment by a season.) Maddie Rooney gives UMD stability in net. Kelly Pannek, Sarah Potomak and Amy Potomak give Minnesota a top line. The end result is four WCHA teams ranked in the top 9, including one that finished below .500 last season.

Read the full preview, including in-depth looks at the Gophers and all seven WCHA teams here. (subscription required)