{"id":8774,"date":"2008-02-22T09:37:04","date_gmt":"2008-02-22T15:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2008\/02\/22\/gophers-upset-badgers\/"},"modified":"2010-08-23T11:55:30","modified_gmt":"2010-08-23T16:55:30","slug":"gophers-upset-badgers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-admin.uscho.com\/recaps\/2008\/02\/22\/gophers-upset-badgers\/","title":{"rendered":"Gophers Upset Badgers"},"content":{"rendered":"
Better late than never. <\/p>\n
Among Golden Gophers players, that sentiment undoubtedly crept into their mind as a four goal outburst — a total virtually unheard of in a season where they will most likely set the school record for offensive futility — buoyed them to a big 4-2 upset win over the arch-rival Badgers at Mariucci Arena.<\/p>\n
Two power-play goals provided the winning margin.<\/p>\n
The four goal outburst from the Gophers ended an eight game stretch where they scored two or less goals and limped to a 1-3-4 record. Conversely, No. 12 Wisconsin had not given up four goals in their last eight games going 4-2-2 in the stretch.<\/p>\n
“I am happy for the kids,” commented Don Lucia on his teams\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 success. “It’s just nice to score more than 1 goal.”<\/p>\n
The win was critical to Minnesota as their recent skid landed them in ninth place in the WCHA desperately needing points.<\/p>\n
“You could tell which team was more desperate tonight,” remarked Mike Eaves. “We were spectators for two periods.”<\/p>\n
The third period started with some drama. During the intermission, Mike Eaves decided to change his goaltender, pulling junior star Shane Connelly for freshman Scott Gudmandson. <\/p>\n
“It had nothing to do with Shane’s play. It was a message to the team,” explained Eaves on why he made the change.<\/p>\n
The Gophers started the period with 56 seconds remaining on the power play, but just 2:02 seconds into the period the Badgers got their first goal of the game with two extra attackers. Burying a beautiful crossing pass by freshmen phenom Kyle Turris through the crease, Blake Geoffrion one-timed the puck past Alex Kangas to bring the Badgers to within a pair of goals.<\/p>\n
The Badgers continued to control the puck for the next five minutes, out shooting the Gophers 5-1. It looked as if Minnesota’s third period struggles stayed with them through their week off.<\/p>\n
The Gophers regained the three goal lead at 8:16 on their second power-play goal of the game as Jay Barriball buried a pass off the back wall from Blake Wheeler.<\/p>\n
“The game becomes easier when you score a couple power-play goals,” added Lucia.<\/p>\n