2007–08 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey season

2007–08 Minnesota Golden Gophers
men's ice hockey season
NCAA Tournament, Northeast regional semifinal
Conference7th WCHA
Home iceMariucci Arena
Rankings
USA Today#11
USCHO.com#10
Record
Overall19–17–9
Conference9–12–7
Home9–8–3
Road6–7–6
Neutral4–2–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachDon Lucia
Captain(s)Derek Peltier
Alternate captain(s)Mike Howe
Evan Kaufmann
Ryan Stoa
Blake Wheeler
Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey seasons
« 2006–07 2008–09 »

The 2007–08 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team represented the University of Minnesota in the 2007–08 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. The team was coached by Don Lucia and played their home games at Mariucci Arena. This season was the second time during Lucia's tenure where all the players were from the state of Minnesota.[1]


Roster

As of March 24, 2008.[2]

Goaltenders
# State Player Catches Year Hometown (Previous School) Previous Team
1 Minnesota Jeff Frazee L Junior Burnsville, MN (Academy of Holy Angels) USNDT - NAHL
33 Minnesota Alex Kangas L Freshman Rochester, MN (Rochester Century High School) Indiana - USHL
35 Minnesota Brent Solei L Senior Coon Rapids, MN (Elk River High School) Fairbanks - NAHL
Defensemen
# State Player Shoots Year Hometown (Previous School) Previous Team
2 Minnesota Kevin Wehrs L Freshman Plymouth, MN (Wayzata High School) Cedar Rapids - USHL
4 Minnesota Stu Bickel R Freshman Chanhassen, MN (Eden Prairie High School) Sioux Falls - USHL
5 Minnesota Derek Peltier – C L Senior Plymouth, MN (Robbinsdale Armstrong High School) Cedar Rapids - USHL
6 Minnesota R.J. Anderson R Junior Lino Lakes, MN (Centennial High School)
20 Minnesota David Fischer R Sophomore Apple Valley, MN (Apple Valley High School)
27 Minnesota Brian Schack L Sophomore Lino Lakes, MN (Totino-Grace High School) Southern Minnesota - NAHL
28 Minnesota Cade Fairchild L Freshman Duluth, MN (Duluth East High School) USNDT - NAHL
Forwards
# State Player Shoots Year Hometown (Previous School) Previous Team
7 Minnesota Patrick White R Freshman Grand Rapids, MN (Grand Rapids High School) Tri-City - USHL
11 Minnesota Mike Hoeffel L Freshman North Oaks, MN (Hill-Murray High School) USNDT - NAHL
12 Minnesota Tony Lucia L Sophomore Plymouth, MN (Wayzata High School) Omaha - USHL
13 Minnesota Ben Gordon L Senior International Falls, MN (Falls High School) Lincoln - USHL
14 Minnesota Justin Bostrom R Junior Vadnais Heights, MN (Mounds View High School) Sioux City - USHL
16 Minnesota Mike Carman L Sophomore Apple Valley, MN (Academy of Holy Angels) USNDT - NAHL
17 Minnesota Blake Wheeler – A R Junior Plymouth, MN (Breck School) Green Bay - USHL
19 Minnesota Evan Kaufmann – A R Senior Plymouth, MN (Robbinsdale Armstrong High School) River City - USHL
21 Minnesota Tom Pohl L Senior Red Wing, MN (Red Wing High School) Tri-City - USHL
22 Minnesota Ryan Flynn R Sophomore Lino Lakes, MN (Centennial High School) USNDT - NAHL
24 Minnesota Mike Howe – A R Senior St. Cloud, MN (St. Cloud Apollo High School) River City - USHL
25 Minnesota Drew Fisher L Freshman International Falls, MN (Moorhead High School) Sioux Falls - USHL
26 Minnesota Jay Barriball R Sophomore Prior Lake, MN (Academy of Holy Angels) Sioux Falls - USHL
29 Minnesota Ryan Stoa – A L Junior Bloomington, MN (Bloomington Kennedy High School) USNDT - NAHL

Junior forward Ryan Stoa suffered a knee injury during the team's October 13, 2007 win over Michigan. He missed the remainder of the season.[3] Sophomore forward Kyle Okposo left the team on December 19, 2007 to sign with the New York Islanders.[4] Senior defenseman Tom Pohl suffered a skull fracture during the team's WCHA first round playoff series with Minnesota State, ending his hockey career.[5]

Season standings

Note: PTS = Points; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against

2007–08 Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#8 Colorado College† 28 21 6 1 43 95 52 41 28 12 1 136 88
#4 North Dakota 28 18 7 3 39 85 53 43 28 11 4 129 80
#9 Denver* 28 16 11 1 33 75 67 41 26 14 1 116 94
#15 Minnesota State 28 12 12 4 28 71 75 39 19 16 4 106 97
#14 St. Cloud State 28 12 12 4 28 79 74 40 19 16 5 118 94
#13 Wisconsin 28 11 12 5 27 68 68 40 16 17 7 114 102
#12 Minnesota 28 9 12 7 25 64 70 45 19 17 9 109 109
Minnesota–Duluth 28 9 14 5 23 55 76 36 13 17 6 74 91
Michigan Tech 28 9 15 4 22 55 77 39 14 20 5 78 99
Alaska–Anchorage 28 3 19 6 12 54 89 36 7 21 8 81 112
Championship: Denver
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Final rankings: USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Top 15 Poll

Regular season

# Date Opponent# Rank# Site Score Goaltender Record Points
1 October 12*† vs. RPI #6 Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, MN 4–3 Frazee 1–0–0 —
2 October 13*† vs. #9 Michigan #6 Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, MN 4–3 Frazee 2–0–0 —
3 October 19 @ #10 Colorado College #3 World Arena • Colorado Springs, CO 1–3 Frazee 2–1–0 0
4 October 20 @ #10 Colorado College #3 World Arena • Colorado Springs, CO 1–2 (OT) Frazee 2–2–0 0
5 October 25* #14 Ohio State #10 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 3–1 Frazee 3–2–0 —
6 October 26* #14 Ohio State #10 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 2–1 Kangas 4–2–0 —
7 October 27* U.S. Under-18 Team (exh.) #10 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 3–1 Solei 4–2–0 —
8 November 2 #7 Denver #8 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 1–5 Frazee 4–3–0 0
9 November 4 #7 Denver #8 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 1–4 Kangas 4–4–0 0
10 November 9 @ Minnesota State #14 Alltel Center • Mankato, MN 4–3 Frazee 5–4–0 2
11 November 10 Minnesota State #14 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 5–3 Kangas 6–4–0 4
12 November 16 Alaska Anchorage #12 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 3–0 Frazee 7–4–0 6
13 November 17 Alaska Anchorage #12 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 2–4 Frazee 7–5–0 6
14 November 23*‡ @ #6 Michigan State #15 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, MI 3–3 (OT) Kangas 7–5–1 —
15 November 24*‡ @ #2 Michigan #15 Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI 1–5 Frazee 7–6–1 —
16 November 30 Michigan Tech — Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 2–3 (OT) Kangas 7–7–1 6
17 December 1 Michigan Tech — Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 3–1 Frazee 8–7–1 8
18 December 7 @ #8 North Dakota — Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, ND 2–4 Frazee 8–8–1 8
19 December 8 @ #8 North Dakota — Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, ND 4–3 Kangas 9–8–1 10
20 December 29*$ RIT #12 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 3–4 Frazee 9–9–1 —
21 December 30*$ Air Force #12 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 2–2 (OT)Ħ Kangas 9–9–2 —
22 January 4* Wayne State #12 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 5–1 Solei 10–9–2 —
23 January 5* Wayne State #12 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 5–2 Kangas 11–9–2 —
24 January 11 #15 St. Cloud State #14 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 1–3 Kangas 11–10–2 10
25 January 12 @ #15 St. Cloud State #14 National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, MN 4–4 (OT) Frazee 11–10–3 11
26 January 18 @ Minnesota Duluth — Duluth Entertainment Convention Center • Duluth, MN 1–1 (OT) Kangas 11–10–4 12
27 January 19 @ Minnesota Duluth — Duluth Entertainment Convention Center • Duluth, MN 2–1 Kangas 12–10–4 14
28 January 25 @ Wisconsin — Kohl Center • Madison, WI 1–3 Kangas 12–11–4 14
29 January 26 @ Wisconsin — Kohl Center • Madison, WI 2–2 (OT) Kangas 12–11–5 15
30 February 1 #3 North Dakota #15 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 1–2 (OT) Kangas 12–12–5 15
31 February 2 #3 North Dakota #15 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 1–1 (OT) Kangas 12–12–6 16
32 February 8 @ #7 Denver — Magness Arena • Denver, CO 1–1 (OT) Kangas 12–12–7 17
33 February 9 @ #7 Denver — Magness Arena • Denver, CO 1–4 Kangas 12–13–7 17
34 February 22 #12 Wisconsin — Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 4–2 Kangas 13–13–7 19
35 February 23 #12 Wisconsin — Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 4–4 (OT) Kangas 13–13–8 20
36 February 29 @ Alaska Anchorage — Sullivan Arena • Anchorage, AK 1–1 (OT) Kangas 13–13–9 21
37 March 1 @ Alaska Anchorage — Sullivan Arena • Anchorage, AK 4–1 Kangas 14–13–9 23
38 March 7 Minnesota Duluth #14 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 4–1 Kangas 15–13–9 25
39 March 8 Minnesota Duluth #14 Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 2–3 Kangas 15–14–9 25
*Non-Conference Game. †IceBreaker Invitational. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. ĦShootout Win 2–0 (4 rounds)
#Rankings from USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll released prior to games.

Postseason

WCHA Playoffs

# Date Opponent# Rank# Site Score Goaltender Record
1 March 14* #10 Minnesota State #15 Alltel Center • Mankato, MN 0–1 (2OT) Kangas 15–15–9
2 March 15* #10 Minnesota State #15 Alltel Center • Mankato, MN 2–1 (OT) Kangas 16–15–9
3 March 16* #10 Minnesota State #15 Alltel Center • Mankato, MN 3–2 (2OT) Kangas 17–15–9
4 March 20† #8 St. Cloud State #12 Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, MN 3–2 Kangas 18–15–9
5 March 21‡ #2 Colorado College #12 Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, MN 2–1 (OT) Kangas 19–15–9
6 March 22$ #6 Denver #12 Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, MN 1–2 Kangas 19–16–9
*WCHA First-Round (best of three). †WCHA Final Five Quarterfinal. ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.
#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.

NCAA Playoffs

# Date Opponent# Rank# Site Score Goaltender Record
1 March 29* #7 Boston College #11 DCU Center • Worcester, MA 2–5 Kangas 19–17–9
*NCAA First-Round (Northeast Regional).
#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.

Season Stats

Scoring Leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player GP G A Pts PIM
Blake Wheeler 31 13 13 26 60
Ben Gordon 32 10 12 22 16
Jay Barriball 31 3 13 16 28
Mike Hoeffel 32 6 6 12 16
Evan Kaufmann 32 5 7 12 46
R.J. Anderson 32 5 7 12 24
Mike Howe 29 4 8 12 4
David Fischer 32 2 10 12 14

Goaltending

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Player GP TOI W L SO Sv% GAA
Alex Kangas 18 1095 5 6 0 .923 2.14
Jeff Frazee 14 798 6 7 1 .890 2.93
Brent Solei 1 60 1 0 0 .966 1.00

Awards and records

Awards

WCHA

  • All-WCHA Third Team: Blake Wheeler
  • All-Rookie Team: Cade Fairchild

References

  1. ^ "Minnesota vs. Ohio State Game Notes" (PDF). gophersports.com. University of Minnesota Athletic Communications. October 23, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
  2. ^ http://www.gophersports.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&KEY=&SPID=3322&SPSID=38856 [dead link‍]
  3. ^ Deutsch, Brian (October 16, 2007). "Gophers will finish season without Stoa on the ice". Minnesota Daily. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
  4. ^ "Sophomore Okposo leaves Minnesota to sign with Islanders". ESPN. December 19, 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
  5. ^ "U's Tom Pohl says he's lucky, not bitter after skull fracture". StarTribune. March 25, 2008. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.