Gophers hockey lose to Michigan

I usually look forward to Saturday night Gopher games (especially with Blake Wheeler back in the lineup), but this Saturday gopher game was terribly disappointing as the Gophers lost to Michigan 1-5 in Ann Arbor. At one time, the Gophers team used to be a powerhouse of sharp shooters, but the Gophers couldn’t get more than one past the Michigan goalie.

Next up for the Gophers is yet another Michigan team as they face Michigan Tech on the Gopher home pond, Mariucci Arena. Michigan Tech is ranked 4th in the WCHA and the Gophers will have their work cut out for them.

Gophers hockey ties Michigan Tech

The Gophers mens hockey team took on Michigan State Spartans yesterday, the day after Thanksgiving, and the Gopher big boys looked like they were in the proverbial turkey coma. The lethargic seniors did pave the way for freshmen Stu Bickel and Mike Hoeffel to score their first career goals and for junior R.J. Anderson to record his second career goal. The three gopher goals helped lead the Gopher team to a 3-3 tie on the road in East Lansing. The Gophers had leads on three different occasions, but weren’t able to close the deal. Come on Gophers, I know you are better than that!

Gopher Hockey team can’t win two in a row

The Gopher Hockey team managed to split the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves series at Mariucci Arena last weekend. The Gophers shutout the WCHA rival on Friday night beating the Seawolves 3-0, but the Gophers hockey squad lost on Saturday 4-2. At one time I called the Gopher hockey team the Yankees of college hockey – now I am not so sure. I think Lucia has his work cut out for him and better recruit a strong class next year or he will surely come under fire from Gophers hockey fans that expect a competitive program.

Gopher Football lose final game to Wisconsin Badgers

The Golden Gopher football team finished it’s season with it’s biggest game of the season. Minnesota vs. Wisconsin. The border battle is huge and the Gopher loss was another huge disappointment to end the terrible Gopher football season. The Gophers lost 41-34 to the Badgers despite a valiant first half effort. The Badgers retained the mighty axe for another year. This Gopher fan is hoping next year is a better year for Gopher Football. Tim Brewster has a lot of work ahead of him on the offseason – he needs to build his very own Brew Crew and make a positive name for himself in Minnesota.

University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Mens Basketball

Gopher Mens Basketball
I saved the best of University of Minnesota Gopher Athletics for last, the Gopher Mens Basketball team. This team will not win the NCAA tournament this year, but they do have promise to win more than one game (cough cough Gopher Football team cough cough). The Gopher basketball team looked strong against Army in the opener at Williams Arena beating the Black Knights 84-52. College basketball doesn’t get too exciting until after Christmas when the schedule becomes a little more intense. The month of December is all home games for the Golden Gophers so buy your Williams Arena tickets today – I will see you at the Barn! Gopher Basketball Schedule.

Gopher Football Team Needs a Rally

Gopher Football
The only good thing about the Gopher Football team is that the football season is almost over for them. The final game of the Gopher season is this Saturday at the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome or the Misserydome as some call it. The Gophers will take on the Wisconsin Badgers at 2:30. The Minnesota Wisconisn border battle and battle for the axe has become one of the best rivalries in the NCAA and especially the Big Ten. I am sure the Gophers will lose, but it’s still a fun game to watch and lower level Gopher Football tickets are reasonable.

Gopher Hockey Rollercoaster Season

Gopher Hockey
The Gopher hockey team is still sea-sawing through the season. After being swept by the Denver Pioneers at Mariucci Arena, the Gopher hockey team managed to sweep Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks in a home and home series. The Gophers beat the Mavericks 4 to 3 in Mankato and then 5 to 3 back at Mariucci. Next up for the Gopher Hockey team: Alaska Anchorage at Mariucci – Buy your Gophers hockey tickets soon – FYI: it’s always cheaper to go Friday nights.

University of Minnesota Athletics

There are a lot of games going on this weekend in the Twin Cities including three Gopher contests, a Minnesota Wild game and a Minnesota Vikings game. Here is a status overview of my favorite University of Minnesota Golden Gopher teams and links to buy Gopher tickets to your favorite game. This will be one of my busiest sports weekends of the year! Go Gophers!

Gopher Mens Basketball
Next game: Thursday Nov. 1st vs. Minnesota State Mankato (Williams Arena exhibition) - Gopher Basketball Tickets (less than $20/ea)
Record: 0 wins 0 losses
Regular Season Games Remaining: 30
Outlook: Head Coach Tubby Smith has his work cut out for him, but his tough demeanor could be just what the Gopher basketball team needs. Prediction: Gophers finish season 15-15 and spend the off season recruiting, recruiting, recruiting.

Gopher Mens Hockey
Next game: Friday Nov. 2nd vs. Denver (Mariucci Arena) - Gopher Hockey Tickets (less than $70/ea)
Record: 4 wins 2 losses
Regular Season Games Remaining: 33
Outlook: Head Coach Don Lucia has a talented Gopher hockey team, but is up against a lot of other talented teams as well. Prediction: Gophers finish season 25-10-4 and second in the WCHA.

Gopher Football
Next game: Saturday Nov. 3rd vs. Illinois (Metrodome, Homecoming) - Gopher Football Tickets (less than $50/ea)
Record: 1 win 8 losses
Regular Season Games Remaining: 3
Outlook: Head Coach Tim Brewster will have a lot of work to do to get ready for next season. This could be the worst Gopher Football Season in University history. Prediction: Gophers finish season 2-10 and spend the off season recruiting, recruiting, recruiting.

Hail to the Maroon and Gold! Let's Go Gophers!

Gopher Football Homecoming

It has occurred to Gopher Gal that the next Gopher football game I will be attending will be homecoming on November 3rd. (after the Gophers get killed in Michigan this weekend) There are still Gopher Football Tickets left and it should be a good show just because it’s homecoming. I actually think the Gophers will put up a fight. I will be at the game in my maroon and gold (well, it’s mostly obnoxious yellow, but you get the idea) and cheering my team to a well played game. Gopher Gal wants to give props to a few other Gopher blogs out there that are far better than mine – so here’s a Golden Gopher Homecoming Shout-Out to:

http://www.gopherfootball.blogspot.com/

http://www.gophernation.blogspot.com/

Buy your Gopher Illinois Tickets today! Goooooooo Gophers!

Gopher Hockey Laces Up for Home Games

Minnesota Gophers play their first home games this weekend with three games, hosting Ohio State on Thursday and Friday before taking on the U.S. Under-18 team in an exhibition game on Saturday. Both games against the Buckeyes will be televised regionally on FSN North (although I can't find it on their website). I won’t be able to make it out to Mariucci Arena this week so I will have to rely on the local sports coverage to keep me filled in (that’s always a little disappointing for this Gopher fan)

Fun series facts from the Gopher website:

The Series vs. Ohio State
The Golden Gophers hold a 10-1 all-time record against the Buckeyes in a series dating back to 1968. Minnesota swept Ohio State 7-2 and 6-3 last season in its first-ever visit to Columbus. The Gophers are 5-1 against the Buckeyes at home and have won all three meetings on neutral ice. This weekend’s games mark the first time Ohio State has played a two-game series at Mariucci Arena since Minnesota posted a sweep on Jan. 2-3, 1981. The Gophers have outscored the Buckeyes 68-27 in their 10 meetings. Minnesota’s only loss in the series came in the third-place game of the Dodge Holiday Classic on Dec. 28, 1998 as the Buckeyes scored with seven seconds left in regulation for a 6-5 victory.