Oilers Chick
11-01-2003, 11:03 PM
DENVER vs. MINNESOTA:
What a game!
Tonight’s game was far more entertaining and exciting than last night’s game, thanks mainly to Denver finally deciding to play better and not making the repeated mistakes that plagued them last night. This was a fantastically played game by both teams. While the lineups (including goaltenders) were the same as last night’s, the most noticeable change was to the Gophers Defence when Sophomore Chris Harrington was scratched due to a leg injury he sustained in a collsion with fellow Gopher Tomas Vanek (BUF) in last night’s game. Vanek did play and what a night he would have!
The Denver Pioneers were raring to go right from the get-go. Unlike last night, the Pioneers were very aggressive in the offensive zone as well as going to the net. Minnesota was very good in keeping the Pioneers in check, but the Pioneers kept coming. The pace of the game in the first period was quick and end-to-end. Both teams had their scoring chances early on.
The Gophers would draw first blood at the 8:09 mark as senior Grant Potulny (OTT) scored a goal that resulted from a terrific individual effort. He had the puck on his stick, first fanning on his shot from Denver netminder Adam Berkhoel’s (CHI) stick-side before shooting it to the backboards for a rebound. Potulny then skated to the opposite side of the net to retrieve his own rebound and at an impossible angle flip the puck up where it would ricochet off of Berkhoel’s shoulder and into the net. Senior Dman Joey Martin would get the lone assist on the goal. The Gophers lead would be short-lived as the Pioneers answered at the 9:36 mark. Gophers Junior Forward Garrett Smaagaard failed to make a clearing attempt that ended up becoming a turnover. Pioneers Senior Forward Greg Keith picks up the puck that had bounced off of a player’s skate from Smaagaard’s clearing attempt, then moved toward the center of the Gophers zone and fires the puck thru Smaagaard’s legs at the Gophers net that somehow found its way in through traffic. Minnesota netminder freshman Kellen Briggs had been screened by one of his fellow players so was unable to see the shot until it was too late.
Later in the period, the excellent Denver Power Play would go to work. At the 11:13 mark, 3 players were assessed minors, two Gophers (Sophomore Gino Guyer and Freshman Dman Jake Tyalor) and one Pioneers player (Senior forward Lukas Dora), putting the Pioneers on the Power Play. At the 12:26 mark, the Pioneers would score the first of two PPGs on the night. Senior forward Jon Waibel retrieve the puck from the side boards and lobbed the puck towards center ice when an oncoming Jon Foster intercepts the puck heading to the net with a trailing Pioneers player to create a 2-on-1. Foster skates in towards the Minnesota net and waits until Briggs commits before flipping the puck over Briggs’ shoulder. The unassisted power play goal would put the Pioneers up 2-1. The Pioneers weren’t done yet. At the 12:49 mark, sophomore forward Tyler Hirsch was assessed a penalty for slashing that put the Pioneers back on the Power Play. At the 14:06 mark, Denver would make Minnesota pay. The power play featured stellar passing around the perimeter by the Pioneers who would finish it off with a nice tip-in by senior Dman Ryan Caldwell (NYI). The Gophers made one crucial mistake that the Pioneers not only read well but also capitalised on. Before making the final pass was made by Denver, Gophers Dman Sophomore Peter Kennedy rather than staying with Caldwell decided to try and take the puck carrier Sophomore Gabe Gauthier. This left Caldwell open and Gauthier managed to still make a nice tape-to-tape pass to Caldwell. Caldwell would then flip the puck over Briggs shoulder on from a backhanded shot for the Power Play goal. Gauthier and senior Forward Connor James (LA) would get the assists on the goal. This put Denver up 3-1 on Minnesota. However, Minnesota would not go away. Sophomore sensation Tomas Vanek (BUF) would begin what would become a phenomenal night. At the 14:16 mark, Pioneers freshman forward Ryan Helgason is assessed an Interference penalty. The Gophers Power Play would now go to work. The line combination of Vanek-Senior Matt Koalska (NSH)-Senior Troy Riddle) would continue to work the magic that they worked last night. At the 14:59 mark, Vanek would score on a low shot to the far side of the net that beats Denver netminder Berkhoel. The play happened thanks to a some hard work and determination by Koalska, who spotted Vanek skating in and waited until Vanek got into a good shooting position before passing off the puck to him. The PPG, assisted by Koalska and Riddle cut the Pioneers lead to 3-2.
When the 2nd period opened, the Gophers found themselves in penalty trouble early. Fortunately, the Gophers Penalty Killing, along with some terrific saves by Briggs, managed to keep the Pioneers from extending their lead. At the 10:11 mark, the Gophers’ Tyler Hirsch and Pioneers’ Ryan Caldwell were assessed matching minors for unsportsmanlike conduct. Once again, the stellar play of Tomas Vanek would make the difference. On a goal that was one for the highlight reels, Vanek showed what determination and an outstanding individual effort can achieve. In a passing attempt, Vanek’s shot hit a player’s skate after which he somehow managed to retrieve his own rebound, then go behind the net for not one but two wraparound chances. With some persistent poking and prodding, the puck manages to slip through Berkhoel’s pad and into the net. The goal, which was unassisted, tied the game at 3-3. During much of the 2nd period, the Gophers were far more aggressive in not only their intensity but also in their offensive zone attacking.
The 3rd period would be pretty much for the same for the Gophers, except for one little mistake.....and that mistake would become the eventual game-winning goal for Denver. At the 51 second mark, there was a mad scramble for the puck off the draw to the right of Briggs. After pinballing around a bit, Denver sophomore Gabe Gauthier corrals the puck spins to find an open Connor James to pass the puck to. Gauthier’s pass was perfect on a bang-bang play that ended when James tipped the puck in pass Briggs to give Denver the lead for good. Gophers senior Grant Potulny made a crucial mistake in not covering James that allowed him to be so open to accept Gauthier’s pass. Once Denver regained the lead, they began to “sit on the lead” allowing the Gophers many opportunities to not only come into their zone, but also great some great shots on net. Netminder Adam Berkhoel had to make some tough saves to preserve the Pioneers lead. With less than 30 left in regulation, the Gophers, having pulled Briggs for the extra attacker, making a last ditch effort to go all out and attack the Pioneers net...and they almost succeeded. Thanks to the stellar play of Berkhoel as well as the traffic and pandemonium in front of the net, somehow Denver hung on for the win.
What made this game so fun to watch was the fact that these two teams kept the pace of much of the game fast, furious and constantly moving. While it did have some pushing & shoving, this wasn’t really that much of a physical game aside from the terrific battles for puck possession.
The best player for either team this evening was Tomas Vanek. He was absolutely magnificent. If he felt any ill-effects from last night’s collision with Chris Harrington, it definitely didn’t show. He was skating everywhere. It was hard, it was furious and it was terrific to watch. If he wasn’t making the plays himself, he was making them for his linemates Matt Koalska and Troy Riddle who were also sensational in their play. Koalska and Vanek played off each other with such ease, you’d think that they’d been playing together for years. Vanek’s moves, speed and his stick-work were just a joy to watch this evening.
For the Pioneers, kudos must to go to Netminder Adam Berkhoel. After a dismal night in goal last night, he bounced back and played tremendously for the Pioneers tonight. He was sharp and was quite composed. He made excellent saves, particularly down low for much of the night to not only keep Denver in the game, but to help get the win. The line combo of Senior Connor James-Sophomore Gabe Gauthier-Senior Lukas Dora, who accounted for two of Denver’s goals were stellar tonight. They gave the Gophers fits all evening and created plays that equalled or in some cases, exceeded the play of the Vanek line for the Gophers. The Gauthier line was very aggressive and pressured the Minnesota defence, which resulted in goals scored or at the very least some very good scoring chances.
What a game!
Tonight’s game was far more entertaining and exciting than last night’s game, thanks mainly to Denver finally deciding to play better and not making the repeated mistakes that plagued them last night. This was a fantastically played game by both teams. While the lineups (including goaltenders) were the same as last night’s, the most noticeable change was to the Gophers Defence when Sophomore Chris Harrington was scratched due to a leg injury he sustained in a collsion with fellow Gopher Tomas Vanek (BUF) in last night’s game. Vanek did play and what a night he would have!
The Denver Pioneers were raring to go right from the get-go. Unlike last night, the Pioneers were very aggressive in the offensive zone as well as going to the net. Minnesota was very good in keeping the Pioneers in check, but the Pioneers kept coming. The pace of the game in the first period was quick and end-to-end. Both teams had their scoring chances early on.
The Gophers would draw first blood at the 8:09 mark as senior Grant Potulny (OTT) scored a goal that resulted from a terrific individual effort. He had the puck on his stick, first fanning on his shot from Denver netminder Adam Berkhoel’s (CHI) stick-side before shooting it to the backboards for a rebound. Potulny then skated to the opposite side of the net to retrieve his own rebound and at an impossible angle flip the puck up where it would ricochet off of Berkhoel’s shoulder and into the net. Senior Dman Joey Martin would get the lone assist on the goal. The Gophers lead would be short-lived as the Pioneers answered at the 9:36 mark. Gophers Junior Forward Garrett Smaagaard failed to make a clearing attempt that ended up becoming a turnover. Pioneers Senior Forward Greg Keith picks up the puck that had bounced off of a player’s skate from Smaagaard’s clearing attempt, then moved toward the center of the Gophers zone and fires the puck thru Smaagaard’s legs at the Gophers net that somehow found its way in through traffic. Minnesota netminder freshman Kellen Briggs had been screened by one of his fellow players so was unable to see the shot until it was too late.
Later in the period, the excellent Denver Power Play would go to work. At the 11:13 mark, 3 players were assessed minors, two Gophers (Sophomore Gino Guyer and Freshman Dman Jake Tyalor) and one Pioneers player (Senior forward Lukas Dora), putting the Pioneers on the Power Play. At the 12:26 mark, the Pioneers would score the first of two PPGs on the night. Senior forward Jon Waibel retrieve the puck from the side boards and lobbed the puck towards center ice when an oncoming Jon Foster intercepts the puck heading to the net with a trailing Pioneers player to create a 2-on-1. Foster skates in towards the Minnesota net and waits until Briggs commits before flipping the puck over Briggs’ shoulder. The unassisted power play goal would put the Pioneers up 2-1. The Pioneers weren’t done yet. At the 12:49 mark, sophomore forward Tyler Hirsch was assessed a penalty for slashing that put the Pioneers back on the Power Play. At the 14:06 mark, Denver would make Minnesota pay. The power play featured stellar passing around the perimeter by the Pioneers who would finish it off with a nice tip-in by senior Dman Ryan Caldwell (NYI). The Gophers made one crucial mistake that the Pioneers not only read well but also capitalised on. Before making the final pass was made by Denver, Gophers Dman Sophomore Peter Kennedy rather than staying with Caldwell decided to try and take the puck carrier Sophomore Gabe Gauthier. This left Caldwell open and Gauthier managed to still make a nice tape-to-tape pass to Caldwell. Caldwell would then flip the puck over Briggs shoulder on from a backhanded shot for the Power Play goal. Gauthier and senior Forward Connor James (LA) would get the assists on the goal. This put Denver up 3-1 on Minnesota. However, Minnesota would not go away. Sophomore sensation Tomas Vanek (BUF) would begin what would become a phenomenal night. At the 14:16 mark, Pioneers freshman forward Ryan Helgason is assessed an Interference penalty. The Gophers Power Play would now go to work. The line combination of Vanek-Senior Matt Koalska (NSH)-Senior Troy Riddle) would continue to work the magic that they worked last night. At the 14:59 mark, Vanek would score on a low shot to the far side of the net that beats Denver netminder Berkhoel. The play happened thanks to a some hard work and determination by Koalska, who spotted Vanek skating in and waited until Vanek got into a good shooting position before passing off the puck to him. The PPG, assisted by Koalska and Riddle cut the Pioneers lead to 3-2.
When the 2nd period opened, the Gophers found themselves in penalty trouble early. Fortunately, the Gophers Penalty Killing, along with some terrific saves by Briggs, managed to keep the Pioneers from extending their lead. At the 10:11 mark, the Gophers’ Tyler Hirsch and Pioneers’ Ryan Caldwell were assessed matching minors for unsportsmanlike conduct. Once again, the stellar play of Tomas Vanek would make the difference. On a goal that was one for the highlight reels, Vanek showed what determination and an outstanding individual effort can achieve. In a passing attempt, Vanek’s shot hit a player’s skate after which he somehow managed to retrieve his own rebound, then go behind the net for not one but two wraparound chances. With some persistent poking and prodding, the puck manages to slip through Berkhoel’s pad and into the net. The goal, which was unassisted, tied the game at 3-3. During much of the 2nd period, the Gophers were far more aggressive in not only their intensity but also in their offensive zone attacking.
The 3rd period would be pretty much for the same for the Gophers, except for one little mistake.....and that mistake would become the eventual game-winning goal for Denver. At the 51 second mark, there was a mad scramble for the puck off the draw to the right of Briggs. After pinballing around a bit, Denver sophomore Gabe Gauthier corrals the puck spins to find an open Connor James to pass the puck to. Gauthier’s pass was perfect on a bang-bang play that ended when James tipped the puck in pass Briggs to give Denver the lead for good. Gophers senior Grant Potulny made a crucial mistake in not covering James that allowed him to be so open to accept Gauthier’s pass. Once Denver regained the lead, they began to “sit on the lead” allowing the Gophers many opportunities to not only come into their zone, but also great some great shots on net. Netminder Adam Berkhoel had to make some tough saves to preserve the Pioneers lead. With less than 30 left in regulation, the Gophers, having pulled Briggs for the extra attacker, making a last ditch effort to go all out and attack the Pioneers net...and they almost succeeded. Thanks to the stellar play of Berkhoel as well as the traffic and pandemonium in front of the net, somehow Denver hung on for the win.
What made this game so fun to watch was the fact that these two teams kept the pace of much of the game fast, furious and constantly moving. While it did have some pushing & shoving, this wasn’t really that much of a physical game aside from the terrific battles for puck possession.
The best player for either team this evening was Tomas Vanek. He was absolutely magnificent. If he felt any ill-effects from last night’s collision with Chris Harrington, it definitely didn’t show. He was skating everywhere. It was hard, it was furious and it was terrific to watch. If he wasn’t making the plays himself, he was making them for his linemates Matt Koalska and Troy Riddle who were also sensational in their play. Koalska and Vanek played off each other with such ease, you’d think that they’d been playing together for years. Vanek’s moves, speed and his stick-work were just a joy to watch this evening.
For the Pioneers, kudos must to go to Netminder Adam Berkhoel. After a dismal night in goal last night, he bounced back and played tremendously for the Pioneers tonight. He was sharp and was quite composed. He made excellent saves, particularly down low for much of the night to not only keep Denver in the game, but to help get the win. The line combo of Senior Connor James-Sophomore Gabe Gauthier-Senior Lukas Dora, who accounted for two of Denver’s goals were stellar tonight. They gave the Gophers fits all evening and created plays that equalled or in some cases, exceeded the play of the Vanek line for the Gophers. The Gauthier line was very aggressive and pressured the Minnesota defence, which resulted in goals scored or at the very least some very good scoring chances.