Gopher Hockey in Anchorage today

Sometimes, I really wish I would have practiced hockey a bit more growing up. Maybe, just maybe, I could have played D1 and been flown around the country to play the sport I love the most.

Today and tomorrow, the men's hockey team are in Anchorage, Alaska for a back to back conference series vs. the Seawolves. They swept them earlier this year at Mariucci and have a series record of 48-15-7, but we shouldn't get too over zealous about it. The Gophs had been on a four road game winning streak which, being the longest since 2007 at 5 games, was snapped by the Huskies this past friday. Let's hope the guys get that out of their heads to play the Seawolves! Go Gophers!

Women's Gopher hockey team vs. Mavericks tomorrow!

Get ready for the Women's Gopher hockey team to battle it out with the Mankato Mavericks tomorrow night at Ridder Arena! The Gophers are ranked number two and hold a 43-3-3 record since October of 1998 above the Mavericks head, so they must be shaking in their skates right about now. That is not good odds for them. Go Gophers!

BTW: Gopher goaltender Noora Räty (playing for Finland) and former Gophers Natalie Darwitz and Gigi Marvin (playing for USA) will all be heading to the Winter Olympics this week. Finland and USA will be playing each other in the first round, so that should be an interesting game to watch. Wish them good luck and don't forget to watch the games!

Fisch replaced by Horton

The Golden Gophers football team has found its offensive coordinator to replace Jedd Fisch! Jeff Horton is fresh off the Detroit Lions coaching crew as the quarterbacks coach, and will be the third offensive coordinator in THREE years.

Let us hope that the saga doesn't continue and we can keep this one for awhile...or atleast over a year. With Horton's 22 years of college coaching experience and teaching ability, Brewster is thrilled to have him.

Since I don't know a whole lot about Jeff Horton, I will ask the audience. Do you think Coach Tim Brewster made a good decision?

Gophers basketball play Michigan tomorrow

The Golden Gophers basketball team plays the Michigan State Spartans tomorrow at Williams Arena. The Gophers are hesitant to play the Spartans, since they have had a seven-game losing streak with them starting in 2006. Michigan State is ranked sixth in the country and have had six straight victories, including a win over the Gophers ten days ago. Plus, the Gophers haven't defeated a Top 10 team at Williams Arena since they beat the 9th ranked Indiana Hoosiers 77-75 on Feb. 9, 2000. With Tubby Smiths’ outstanding history of victories, lets hope he can rally his team to end this losing streak!

If you can’t make it to the game, it will be broadcasted on CBS at 11 a.m.

Fisch leaving the Gophers

Jedd Fisch is officially leaving the Golden Gophers for a chance in the big leagues. The NFL Seattle Seahawks have taken Jedd under their wing, as they say, and have given him a position as the offensive coordinator. Its not a big surprise for the Golden Gophers, since the only constant they have in their team's coaching (non-performance wise, of course) is change.

Jedd Fisch was only with the Gophers football team for one year as their offensive coordinator, but only feels right in the NFL. Fisch is the sixth OC since Coach Brewster started and he only wishes him the best of luck. Quarterback Adam Weber has seen four offensive coordinators in his five years in the program. That is a lot of change for one man to handle, but he's a strong kid and it isnt affecting his leadership among the team.

Brewster is on the hunt for his replacement as we speak. Any idea who that might be? Volunteers maybe?

Did you know....?

Here are a few random facts of the day about the U of M I thought you would enjoy

Did you know...?

-The first successful open-heart surgery took place at the University of Minnesota in 1952

-A Jehovah's Witness was the first patient to receive a transfusion of artificial blood in 1979 at the University of Minnesota Hospital. He had refused a transfusion of real blood because of his religious beliefs.

-The University of Minnesota was founded in 1851 while the founding of the state itself was 7 years later in 1859.

-Minnesota was dubbed the "Gopher State" by the union in 1957 and the U of M appropriately adopted the animal as its mascot.

-The Golden adjective has not always been a part of the Gopher name. During the 1930s, the U of M Gophers wore gold jerseys and pants. Legendary KSTP-AM radio announcer Halsey Hall coined the term "Golden Gophers" in reference to the team's all-gold attire on the field. The golden term stuck and the University amended their formal moniker to the Golden Gophers.

Hope you enjoyed them!

Former Gophers attend Olympics

Defenseman Erik Johnson, forward Phil Kessel and defenseman Paul Martin are three former standouts on the U of M Gopher hockey team. These three have been selected among the 23 players that will battle for the Olympic gold medal from February 16 to the 28th. This is the first Olympic selection for all three of them and now the Gophers have had 55 different players selected to play in the Olympics over the past decade. Johnson, Kessel and Martin have all participated in the World Championship Competition.

Martin was also a particpant of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. Johnson, a Bloomington, MN native, has played for the St. Louis Blues since 2006. Kessel, a Maddison, WI native, currently plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs and has a great NHL career over the past four years. Martin helped lead the Gophers in winning back-to-back national championships his final two seasons. Martin, from Elk River, MN, was a second-team all-WCHA selcetion, named to the WCHA all-rookie team and has played for the New Jersey Devils for the past seven seasons.

The first game for the U.S. in the Olympics is against Switzerland on February 16th, going on to play Norway on the 18th and Candada on the 21st. The whole state of Minnesota will be watching this tremendous event for their state. I know that I will be.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Basketball Game Jan. 9 at Williams Arena

The Golden Gophers go head to head with the Buckeyes tomorrow after a two-game stint on the road last week. They played Iowa (86-74 W) and Purdue (60-79 L). With a 3-1 start in the conference, the Golden Gophers are ready for the home team advantage. Head Coach Tubby Smith is not content with his all-time record of 440-174 over 18 seasons and expects a great deal from his players this season. Averaging 85.5 points over the last eight games, I'd say they won't disappoint him. With their leading rebounder, Ralph Sampson, out with a sprained ankle, the Gophs will have to pick it up to keep their undefeated home game streak. Go Gophs!

2010 Skate with the Gophers

On February sixth, the Minnesota Gophers hockey team is having their annual Skate with the Gophers event. I love this event because of all the excited little kids that run around in awe of these players. It is a huge deal to them, especially when the players take a few minutes to talk one-on-one with them. My nephew loves the Gophers more than I do and, as an aspiring NHL player at the age of 10, he wouldn't miss this for the world. I will definitely be making appearance too...and possibly leaving with a new boyfriend. Or atleast a few pictures. Save the date! I already have.

Where would the Golden Gophers be without their teachers?

Click here to nominate your favorite teacher to win the Tribute to Teachers sponsored by the RBC Wealth Management. Four lucky teachers will win $500 dollars for "Classroom Cash", a vist from Goldy himself and a signed hockey stick by Coach Lucia.

Where would you be without that special teacher in your life? Vote today!