Maybe all the Gophers needed was a spark.
An injury to one of the team's up-and-coming players propelled the Gophers to a pair of convincing wins this weekend over the visiting University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. The Gophers won handily both nights, defeating the Seawolves 5-1 Friday, while prevailing 4-1 in a Sunday rematch between the two teams.
Perhaps the biggest turning point of the young season came in the first period on Friday. With the game tied 1-1 late in the period, freshman defenseman Nick Leddy took a heavy hit up around his chin area as he was cutting across the ice just inside the offensive zone. Leddy, who had released a slapshot on the net, was hit hard by Jade Portwood. There has been some speculation as to whether the hit was late—in my opinion, it should have been a penalty, simply because it was a hit to the head.
Leddy went down hard with a cracked jaw and possible concussion, and will miss the next six-to-eight weeks. This was a big blow for the Gophers, as Leddy was one of the bright young players on this team, but they've got to be glad that his injury A) wasn't a season or career-threatening injury, and B) came early in the year, rather than at the end. Leddy should be back right around the Dodge Holiday Classic, which is also when we'll see newcomer Jacob Cepis for the first time.
In the meantime, the Leddy injury really seemed to rally the Gophers into the rest of the weekend. They outscored Alaska-Anchorage 3-0 in the second period, and 8-1 from the second period of Friday's game to the end of the game on Sunday. Tony Lucia had a great night on Friday, coming up with the go-ahead goal on a shorthanded breakaway, and adding another shorthanded goal in the third period to put the Gophers up 5-1. Also scoring Friday were Kevin Wehrs and Zach Budish. Both goals were the players' first collegiate goals. Congratulations to Kevin and Zach! The other Gopher goal scorer on Friday night was Aaron Ness, who scored the first goal of the game.
Flying a little under the radar all weekend was Gopher goaltender Alex Kangas, who was impressive both nights in limiting the Seawolves to just two goals on 55 total shots over the two-game series. Kangas was solid between the pipes in both games, while at times showing flashes of brilliance in coming up with critical stops at key points in each game.
The three Gopher stars from Friday's game are:
3. Alex Kangas
Kangas, as mentioned above, made all the saves he needed to make, and probably a few that he shouldn't have Friday night. Kangas was a crucial component of the Gophers' penalty killing efforts, and his solid play was the foundation that the Gophers built their Friday win upon.
2. Taylor Matson
This kid is in the three stars every night, because he deserves to be. He puts in outstanding effort for 60 minutes every game. Matson made the play that resulted in the first Lucia goal, and he was making plays on the ice every chance he got.
1. Tony Lucia
Lucia scored two shorthanded goals on Friday night, while adding the lone assist on the Wehrs goal. Lucia was his usual gritty, grinding self, and he was rewarded for it with a pair of goals and a three-point night overall. Scoring the very important second goal of the game for the Gophers, Lucia was the No. 1 star for the team.
Near the end of the game, some skirmishes broke out as several UAA players repeatedly took runs at Jordan Schroeder. While I hate fighting in hockey, it was good to see players like Mike Hoeffel, Jay Barriball, and Seth Helgeson step up and defend their teammates. I think the Gophers got some momentum from these scuffles, and brought it into the game on Sunday.
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