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.

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In its baseball issue Sports Illustrated picks the Twins to finish last in the five-team Central Division.  The predicted order of finish:  Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Kansas City and the Twins.  The magazine said new outfielder Delmon Young, 22, “might be the game’s finest young position player.”

City council president Barbara Johnson told Sports Headliners that Minneapolis is seeking $62 million from the state to pay off the debt on Target Center.  She also said the city has interest in using tax increment financing to pay for $70 million in renovations.

Because of the Republican convention coming here this summer there will be a need for about 3,500 police officers, Johnson said.  Minneapolis has a force of about 800 and St. Paul has approximately 500, so police from surrounding areas will help fill the manpower need.

Former Gopher tennis coach Jerry Noyce has met New York Giants Super Bowl champion quarterback Eli Manning because both are members of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.  Noyce said Manning has impressed him as a quality individual.  Noyce, Manning and others on the council are helping promote a new initiative by George Bush, the President’s Challenge.  The challenge began last week and encourages Americans to exercise 30 minutes a day, five days per week for six weeks. More information on the challenge is available at www.presidentschallenge.org.

Gopher associate athletic director Marc Ryan said that among the schools being considered for future football opponents are Texas, Pittsburgh and Navy.

Gopher football coach Tim Brewster, whose team began spring practice yesterday, said it was “nothing short of extraordinary” that his staff signed 31 of 45 players who visited campus during the last recruiting season.

Reserve quarterback Tony Mortensen, a backup for three seasons, came to Brewster during the off-season and said he wants to help the team as a long snapper, too.  Brewster said that kind of team attitude is going to “take us a long way.”

The Minnesota Thunder is practicing indoors in preparation for its April 29 regular season opening game at Portland.  The team will travel to North Carolina next month to play exhibition games. Coach Amos Magee said he’s hoping for a winning start to the season because past Thunder teams have started slow.

The Thunder held a party for sponsors and other boosters earlier this week.  The theme was a new vision and start for the team.  The franchise has new ownership that took over last year.  The Thunder unveiled a new logo at the party and an ad campaign starts April 15.

St. Thomas sophomore goalie Lauren Bradel and Gustavus senior forward Stefanie Ubl are two of 18 players honored as 2008 RBK Hockey Division III Women’s All-Americans. The two MIAC stars are part of the six-player West Region All-America team selected by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA).

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Prep basketball expert Ken Lien is picking Henry Sibley to win the Class 4A state tournament title this week.  State tournament games in all four classes start today (Wednesday) with the championships on Saturday.  Lien, who tracks high school basketball as chair of the Mr. Basketball selection committee, is predicting Saint Thomas will be the Class 3A champ, with Saint Bernard’s School winning the Class 2A title, and Cass Lake-Bena taking the Class 1A championship.

Among the intriguing players to watch is Robbinsdale Cooper’s Rodney Williams.  The 6-foot-5 junior forward can jump with or better than NBA players, according to Lien.  Cooper is competing in the 4A tourney.

He also likes two other Division I prospects in the tournaments, senior guards Anthony Tucker of Minnetonka and Jordan Taylor of Benilde-St. Margaret’s.  “Tucker is a fine passer and shooter,” Lien said.  “Taylor is your ultimate point guard who is a great defender and is a fine offensive player as well.”

Tucker will play at Iowa next season, while Taylor is headed to Wisconsin.  Minnetonka is Class 4A while Benilde-St. Margaret’s is in the Class 3A tourney.

Tucker and Taylor, Sports Headliners has learned, are two of the five finalists for the Mr. Basketball award.  The three others are Princeton center Jared Berggren, Cretin-Derham Hall guard Michael Floyd and Ellsworth guard Cody Schilling. The winner will be announced on Sunday, April 27 at the awards banquet at the Minneapolis Marriott West.

Bob McDonald’s Chisholm team is in the Class 1A tournament.  He’s been coaching at Chisholm for over 40 years.  His son, Mike, is coaching the Cambridge-Isanti team that is competing in the Class 4A tournament.

Another of McDonald’s sons, Joel, coaches the Hibbing team that lost in the sectional finals of Class 3A to Grand Rapids.  Bob’s grandson, guard Bryce Tesdahl, plays for Crosby-Ironton competing in the Class 2A tournament.   “Best passer in the state tourney,” Lien said.

Some state tournament games will be played at Mariucci Arena, the first basketball games ever at the University of Minnesota’s hockey facility.  Williams Arena isn’t available so Mariucci will host games along with the main tournament site, Target Center.

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