Must win in Minnesota: Tigers look to extend win streak

Photo: Sam Landsman

This weekend at the Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota Gophers will host the Colorado College Tigers in a critical WCHA conference two-game series matchup. 

After winning their last three games, including a come-from-behind victory over WCHA rival St. Cloud State University and two commanding wins over non conference opponents Air Force and Mercyhurst College, the Tigers skate into this weekend’s matchup with a 17-10-3 record and as confident as ever. Despite their recent success, the Tigers are currently placed fifth in the WCHA standings and are seven points behind first place University of Denver who just last weekend swept the University of Minnesota by scores of 3-1 and 5-1. 

In a recent poll conducted by USCHO.com/CBS College Sports, the Tigers are ranked No. 7 nationally. Minnesota however is no longer ranked at all, having lost five of their last six games and owning a 13-15-2. 

Much is at stake for the Tigers, who are still in the running for a home-ice game in the upcoming playoffs. If the Tigers sweep the University of Minnesota this weekend and do the same against the University of North Dakota next week they could very well be in contention for the WCHA title and home-ice advantage in the playoffs when they face off against the University of Denver in their season finale. 

The Tigers will have their hands full against a Minnesota roster that boasts 20 NHL draft picks. Top threats include sophomore forward Jordan Schroeder, senior Forward Tony Lucia, and junior forward Mike Hoeffel. Having all been drafted to the NHL, the trio have combined for 26 goals and 36 assists and will no doubt create havoc against the Tiger defense. Minnesota goalie senior Alex Kangas is 11-11-1 as a starter and boasts 2.67 goals against average as well as 91% save percentage. 

Despite Minnesota’s offensive threats, the second-ranked Tiger offense should have little trouble against a Minnesota defense that has allowed ten goals in the last three games. The Tiger offense is led by senior left winger Bill Sweatt, senior right winger Mike Testwuide, and freshman forward Rylan Schwartz. The Tiger trio has combined for a whopping 37 goals and a total of 41 assists and have contributed immensely to the Tigers high-powered offense. The Tiger offense also boasts an interesting stat in the fact that they have scored in the opening minute of a period 18 times this year with freshman forward Andrew Hamburg responsible for five of those goals.

After losing six of their first nine games of the 2010 part of their season, the Tigers looked to be self-destructing. But after posting a three game win streak and with the possibility of extending it, the Tigers could very well be on their way to a deep playoff run.