{"id":4413,"date":"2003-03-28T22:15:24","date_gmt":"2003-03-29T04:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2003\/03\/28\/potulny-gophers-cruise-into-regional-final\/"},"modified":"2010-08-23T11:54:51","modified_gmt":"2010-08-23T16:54:51","slug":"potulny-gophers-cruise-into-regional-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-admin.uscho.com\/recaps\/2003\/03\/28\/potulny-gophers-cruise-into-regional-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Potulny, Gophers Cruise Into Regional Final"},"content":{"rendered":"
Two years ago, Mercyhurst — at the time the first-ever MAAC team invited to the NCAA tournament — nearly pulled off a monumental upset against Michigan in the Wolverines’ home state.<\/p>\n
Before Friday’s game, amidst the talk of a mismatch against defending national champion Minnesota, there was a quiet refrain of possibility.<\/p>\n
Could lightning strike twice?<\/p>\n
Lightning did indeed strike, but the Lakers were the targets, and nine times, at that. Minnesota scored early and often at the NCAA West Regional, building a three-goal lead after the first period into an insurmountable 8-0 advantage after two on the way to a 9-2 win. Captain Grant Potulny had a hat trick to pace the Gopher offense.<\/p>\n
“Mercyhurst got our ‘A’ game tonight,” said Gopher coach Don Lucia. “That score against Michigan two years [ago] was a lesson.”<\/p>\n
“If we had our ‘A’ game, would it have mattered?” Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin asked rhetorically. “The University of Minnesota is better than Mercyhurst College, and I’m okay with that. … Maybe one day, we can bridge that gap, but that day wasn’t today.”<\/p>\n
The Gophers outshot the Lakers 56-18 overall, including tying an NCAA Regional record with 27 in the second period.<\/p>\n
Despite the lopsided margin, the contest never devolved to cheap hits or post-whistle action, a contrast to Friday’s early Ferris State-North Dakota game, in which both teams dished it out during and after the play.<\/p>\n
“They played the game the way it’s supposed to be played,” said Lucia. “That’s a real credit to [them]. … I tip my cap to their coaches.”<\/p>\n
Gotkin, meanwhile, was equally gracious.<\/p>\n
“[The Gophers] played wonderfully, not that that’s a surprise to anyone,” he said. “I think the fans from Erie, the players from Mercyhurst, they understand why they’re national champions.”<\/p>\n
“We haven’t had a lot of games like this,” said Lucia. “I’ve been on the other side of those, and they’re no fun.”<\/p>\n
The contest, of course, was played on the Gophers’ home ice of Mariucci Arena, and though Minnesota didn’t seem to need much help from the crowd, it was in evidence nonetheless.<\/p>\n
“They’re [Mercyhurst] not used to playing in front of 10,000 fans,” said Lucia, “and the crowd got into it.”<\/p>\n