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| Bucky the Beaver (left) and Goldy the Gopher (right) I wonder if Dutchy the Dutchman will be there... haha |
Both of these games are extremely important out of conference (OOC) games that will make a big difference in where Union finishes in the PairWise Rankings (PWR). The Dutchmen are 1-3-1 in OOC road games this season with their only win coming against Alaska-Anchorage and the tie coming against RPI in Lake Placid. They need to find a way to beat good teams on the road, but haven't done so in the games against Alaska-Fairbanks and Western Michigan.
This is Union's last chance to prove to the nation that they can beat tough OOC opponents and deserve to be in the national tournament. Personally, if Union cannot win a game in this tournament I really don't see them making the national tournament unless they make a run in the ECAC playoffs. Two wins would be so huge and would give the team a lot of momentum heading into the bulk of the league schedule.
Hopefully Union living legend Adam Presizniuk can return to the lineup this weekend. The Dutchmen have scored a combined two goals in their past three road games without Prez, and could really use his help to get the offense back on track and take some focus off of Jeremy Welsh and Daniel Carr. Prezie is the "go-to guy" on the team, and every successful team has a "go-to guy." Without a good and healthy Prezie, I cannot see this team going very far. According to Ken Schott, Coach Leaman said Presizniuk's status will be a game-time decision.
On a personal note, I have seen both Minnesota and Bemidji in the Frozen Four. I saw the Gophers win the national championship in 2002 in St. Paul, Minnesota in one of the most exciting championship games I've seen, and caught Beaver Fever in 2009 when Bemidji made their Cinderella run to the Frozen Four in Washington D.C.
Here are game notes from:
Union Athletics.com
Go Gopher Sports.com
BSU Beavers.com
Here are two videos about the Gophers and two about the Beavers. Enjoy!
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