The Gophers hope to continue their momentum when they play Boston College on Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m. Minneapolis time in a NCAA Northeast Regional game in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The Gophers are 7-3-2 since February 22 when they were in ninth place in the WCHA and a poor bet to make the NCAA tournament. Coach Don Lucia’s team closed the regular season with a 3-1-2 record to finish seventh in the league. The Gophers then won a three-game playoff series involving three overtime games at Minnesota State, and last week won twice at the WCHA Final Five to reach the title game and earn an NCAA appearance.
The past two weeks have been among the most dramatic in Minnesota history as the Gophers have played seven straight one-goal games for the first time ever. Also, neither Minnesota nor its opponents have had more than a one-goal advantage during the Gophers’ six postseason games.
Overtimes have been the norm for the Gophers, who have played an NCAA single-season record 16 overtime games. Minnesota also has a national-high and school record-tying nine ties.
The Gophers, who have played 35 games decided by two goals or less, have a 19-16-9 record and will play Boston College, 21-11-8, for the first time this season. The Eagles were in Minnesota for two tournaments earlier this season but didn’t play the Gophers who also were participating.
Boston College was the NCAA champion runner-up the last two years and has the nation’s leading scorer in junior forward Nathan Gerbe, who has 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points. Joe Whitney ranks second nationally with 39 assists and second in scoring among defensemen.
Like Minnesota, the Eagles feature a freshman goaltender in John Muse, who has played every minute this season with a 2.26 goals against average and .919 save percentage. The Eagles have won five straight games and won the Hockey East tournament last week as the fourth seed, beating No. 1 seed New Hampshire 5-4 in triple overtime in the semifinals and Vermont 4-0 in the finals.
Gopher freshman goalie Alex Kangas was named the MVP of the WCHA Final Five. In six postseason games he has a 1.21 goals against average and .959 save percentage. Kangas has started 20 straight games with 1.64 goals against average and .940 save percentage. He has a 8-6-6 record during that period.
The winner of the Minnesota-Boston College game advances to Sunday’s regional final against either Miami or Air Force. The Gopher game Saturday will be televised live by FSN North and Sunday’s championship game is on ESPNU.