Our WCHA leading Gopher hockey team (3-0-1, 7 pts) continue their conference schedule this weekend against the Minnesota State - Mankato team.  Friday's game (7pm - FSN) will be played at Mariucci Arena and Saturday's game will be played at Xcel Energy Center (7:30pm - FSN).  The Saturday game is the 2nd game in a doubleheader featuring Minnesota teams as MN-Duluth plays St. Cloud State at 4pm.  The team is off to a great start and this weekend could go a long way toward telling us whether they will be a conference champion contender.  Mankato comes into the weekend with a 3-1 overall record (1-1 in the WCHA).  They really should have swept North Dakota but let the Saturday game get away after leading.

Gopher Puck Live does a good job of previewing the games against MSU-M - GPL Mankato Preview

Zach Harrison of MSU-M did score a natrual hat trick of short handed goals against North Dakota.  This rarity got his stick taken away and a write up in Deadspin - They Took His Stick

The Gophers have moved up to #5 in the national polls - http://www.uscho.com/rankings/

In the USCHO WCHA weekend preview we hear about the crackdown in penalties, the preview of the MN Hockey Showcase and their prediction of a Gopher sweep - This Week in the WCHA

Finally, Bob Sansevere of the Pioneer Press, has an interview in today's paper with coach Don Lucia.  While I didn't like Bob's questions I did like getting some insight into what the coach is thinking - Don Lucia Interview