I'd like to preface this entry by thanking Jon Marthaler (of Twinkie Town and Hockey Wilderness) for his outstanding tickets in Section 2, 3 rows up. Oh, and Jon, the student in Section 3 need some help. Timing was off, chants were mediocre at best, and they are in need to some upper class leadership. I hope for your sake they get some soon!

Oh, and here's your view:

The Gophers opened the season with the traditional exhibition game. This time they took on the University of British Columbia Thunderhawks. Typically, Canadian University teams are comprised of guys coming out of Major Juniors who couldn't make it into the NHL, AHL or NCAA, so they tend to get run out of the building against the upper echelon college teams.

The Gophers this season are young. Young and inexperienced. Led by Junior captain Ryan Stoa (returning after missing virtually the entire last season with a knee injury), the Gophers bring 12 Freshmen to the table

Not only is the team new, but so is the rink on which they are playing.

New boards and plexiglass have been installed, replacing the originals from 1993. Large black safety nets now hang behind each net from corner to corner, too. They stretch from the top of the glass straight up to a height equal to the bottom of the banners in the rafters.

Cost of the monthlong renovation, which started in late August, was $300,000, according to Mariucci staff.

The new boards have softer plastic covers on top, which will be safer for players involved in nearby collisions.

The new glass is similar to that found in NHL arenas. The glass is seamless and has been raised from 4 to 6 feet along the sideboards while staying at 8 feet behind the two goals.

Gophers coach Don Lucia said pucks will bounce truer off this glass and fans will be able to see the action better.

Bounces seemed to be a bit odd (for those of us used to the old Mariucci boards), and when the puck went off the lower dasher, it was absolutely dead. If it hit the yellow along the bottom, it lost quite a bit of speed. This could hurt the Gophers early, as team speed right now is fantastic. They were energetic and quick tonight, often finding themselves a couple strides ahead of the plodding Thunderhawks. It will be interesting to see what happens when a quicker team (like St. Cloud or North Dakota) comes into the building.

Ryan Stoa was a man amongst boys out there tonight. He really powered his way through traffic, the way a 6'3", 217 pounder should. While he didn't get on the scoresheet, he was in the corners and camping in front. It was just great to see him back to his old self again on the top line.

Aaron Ness was all we expected tonight. Yeah, it's really early, but goodness he is just so fluid with the puck, knows exactly when to distribute, when to rush and has vision not seen in a defenseman since Leopold. He needs to add some bulk, but he's going to be special. He was far and away the best passer on the ice tonight.

Alex Kangas didn't face many shots tonight (10) but he had no trouble with any of them. Backup goalie Kent Patterson gave up the only goal, no thanks to his defense.

Jordan Schroeder and Jay Barriball didn't overly impress, but again, it was early, and they're still getting used to each other. Schroeder had signs of good things to come, and Barriball slipped through traffic with his speed and quickness.

There was a fantastic goal on a wicked shot by R.J. Anderson in the second, right in front of us. Here's the aftermath:

Also scoring were Ryan Flynn and Patrick White for the Gophers.

The lone Thunderhawk goal came shorthanded on a horrible play handling the forecheck by Ryan Flynn (at least I think it was Flynn, I may be remembering incorrectly, I was too busy yelling at him).

However, the main event tonight was watching 6'6" 220 22 year old Sophomore Max Gordichuk of UBC. Gordichuk came to the Thunderhawks by way of the WHL. In 2006-2007, Gordichuk was a -40 for the Portland Winter Hawks. Yes, you read that correctly, -40! However, for UBC, he was on the #2 defensive pairing and the PK unit, largely due to his ability to clear the low slot. However, Mr. Gordichuk (besides having an absolutely awesome Canadian name) lacks one thing all good hockey players require ... the ability to skate. Seriously. I compared him to Derek Boogaard...on skis. The guy was amazing to watch. It was like Shawn Bradley had suddenly decided to strap them on and have a go. When the quicker Gopher forwards were behind the net he was just flailing about as if his legs were independent from his body. We loved every minute he was on the ice.

Here's Gordichuk, yet again at least 6 steps behind the play.

GORDICHUK SMASH!!!!