Gophers scoring trouble continues

Minnesota had hoped that a return to their home arena would bring warmth and encouragement from the home crowd and help awaken the many alleged goal scorers skating for the Gophers. That was not the case Friday, but all is not negative for Don Lucia's team. Their effort and fight was more prevelant than last Friday against North Dakota. That's not saying much however for a team that despite preseason predictions thinks it has just as much a chance to win the WCHA as its first two conference opponents North Dakota last week and the University of Denver this weekend.

They were blanked by the Pioneers 3-0 Friday night meaning they've already been shut out twice this year and once again finding themselves in position to either wake up or be swept. Last week they woke up Saturday night and earned a point with a hard-fought tie with the Fighting Sioux. They were only outshot 34-30, but they missed the net way too often.

Some thoughts with more to come at completion of weekend....

• Although he had no shots on goal and was a -1 Aaron Ness had a nice game making some great passes in the third period that could have led to goals if things were clicking more for the forwards. He was good at skating the puck on his own out of the zone when nobody was open and to help create offense late in the shutout.
• There are mixed reviews on David Fisher's performance. The senior captain defenemen made some of his usual errors like fanning on critical shots in the slot and getting too fancy with touch passes. However, He played much better at the point in the offensive zone in helping keep scoring chances alive and not turning the puck over near the offensive blue line. He's still getting too many shots blocked, but a lot of that can be credited to the Fighting Sioux and the Pioneers.
• Jordan schroeder showed some flashes of what he can do after being bullied last weekend.
• Mike Hoefell and Jay Bariball didn't stand out as much as they usually do. Hoefell had four shots, but can easily average six a night and Bariball only had one, but also left the game with an injury.
• Taylor Matson skated with Tony Lucia and Zach Budish on the third line. Matson should continue to clime the ladder an dit would nice to see what he can get done on a line with Schroeder. Lucia can play with anyone and quietly makes things happen. Budish as much as I love him looks like someone who missed his last year of high school hockey due to a football injury. He will be a great Gopher, but early this year looks not as ready as he will be.
• For fun here' s what I would do if I had the opportunity to tinker with the lines .......
  
  1. Matson, schoeder and Hoefell
  2. Bariball, Carman and Lucia
  3. Flynn, White and Birkholz
  4. Sachetti, Budish and Miller/Jake Hansen

I think these lines allow you to mix in size and physical play on each line and create a potentially lethal first line if they gel accordingly. If the offense continues to struggle Lucia will get plenty of chances to maneuver the lineup.

Gophers Game Story HERE

Don Lucia Post Game Interview HERE

Star Tribune Game Story HERE

Pioneer Press Game Story HERE