Remember When the Gophers Swept North Dakota?

The Gophers are trying to position themselves for another successful year on the ice. Looking back at 2011-12, I remember one of my favorite Gopher Hockey moments.

For the first time at home since 1996, the Gopher hockey team swept North Dakota Nov 4-5.

The first game, a 2-0 win, highlighted Nick Bjugstad and Tom Serratore. Kent Patterson boasted 24 saves as he recorded his fifth shutout of the season.

The game marked Minnesota's first shutout against North Dakota since 2004. It was also Minnesota's first shutout against North Dakota at Mariucci Arena since 1993.

Cheers to more Gopher memories! I plan on making tons more this year as the Gophers hope to march towards another WCHA title.

Mariucci Arena Photos

I recently was assigned a task to go around Minneapolis, St. Paul and suburbs and take pictures of all of the gorgeous venues! I think there were 24 total venues I snapped photos of. We sure are lucky to live in Minnesota where sports, concerts and theater are extremely popular hobbies!

Take a peak at my Mariucci Arena photos!

Gopher Men's Hockey Player Profile: Ben Marshall

Meet Ben Marshall, a defenseman for the Minnesota Gophers.

Ben Marshall is from Mahtomedi, Minnesota where he played high school hockey under Jeff Poeschl. Marshall also played for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL in 2010-11.

Ben Marshall earned his first team all-state honors in 2010. Marshall received honorable mention for the AP Minnesota High School Hockey All-State Team in 2009.

Marshall came to the Minnesota Gophers Hockey team for his freshman season in 2010-11.

Join Ben Marshall and the Minnesota Gophers at Mariucci Arena.

Gopher Men's Hockey Player Profile: Chris Student

Meet Chris Student, a defenseman for the Minnesota Gophers.

Chris Student is from Edina, Minnesota and attended Benilde-St. Margaret's high school.

In high school, Student played for Waterloo of the USHL in 2008-09 under coach P.K. O'Handley. Student scored two goals, 16 points and had the third-highest plus-minus among USHL defensemen.

For Student's 2009-10 freshman season, Student tallied two assists in 24 games for Northeastern.

Student missed the 2010-11 sophomore season due to NCAA transfer regulations.

Student joined the Minnesota Gophers hockey team for the 2011-12 season. Join Chris Student and the Minnesota Gophers this season at Mariucci Arena.

Gopher Men's Hockey Player Profile: Erik Haula

Erik Haula is from Pori, Finland. He represented Finland at the 2011 World Junior Championship where he has four goals and three assists in seven games. Haula helped the team claim a Bronze Medal in 2009.

For the 2010-11 season with the Gophers, Haula was a freshman. Haula skated in 34 games where he tied for third on the team in points and tied for first on the team in assists. He led all freshmen in points and assists.

In his sophomore season, Haula led the team in points (48) and shots (151). Haula was second on the Gophers hockey team in goals (20) and assists (28).

Join Erik Haula this year at Mariucci Arena.

More to Know about Mariucci Arena

The home of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Men's Hockey Team, Mariucci Arena hosts the great tradition of Minnesota hockey. Mariucci Arena is located at 1901 4th Street Southeast in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Men's Hockey team started around 1922. The Gophers have long been known as a hockey dynasty in college athletics. Currently, the Minnesota Gophers Hockey team is a proud member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in the NCAA.

 Mariucci arena is appropriately named for the legendary Hall of Famer, John Mariucci. Mariucci was a native of Eveleth, Minnesota and a stand-out University of Minnesota hockey player. For over 40 years he helped Minnesota grow into a strong "State of Hockey." John Mariucci's many accomplishments include helping his squad win the NCAA national championship in 1940, playing five NHL seasons with the Chicago Black Hawks, coaching the University of Minnesota hockey team and advocating the development of local home grown Minnesota talent. Mariucci coached the US Olympic team to silver in 1956 and in 1967 he returned to the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars as the assistant to general manager, a position he held until his death in 1987.

With the capability to have ice year-round, the 10,000-seat arena brings a truly state-of-the-art facility to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The Olympic size ice sheet makes for a fast-pace, wide open style of Gopher hockey that the Golden Gophers are known for. The building does not have even one obstructed view seat, which is another reason that Golden Gopher hockey is one of the hottest tickets in town. With the best possible sight lines from every seat, no Golden Gopher fan is ever disappointed with the view of the fastest game in town.

 Nothing can beat the atmosphere that Mariucci can produce on game night. From the roar of the crowd when the Golden Gophers take the ice, to the roar of the band as they blare out the Minnesota Rouser, Mariucci Arena boasts deep hockey appreciation and tradition. Fans and players alike still are amazed by the breathtaking beauty of a sold-out Mariucci arena and the atmosphere it provides. On game nights, tradition simply boils over and turns Mariucci arena into one of the finest venues to experience a college hockey game in the country.

Gophers Head to Tampa Bay Times Forum

Erik Haula scored his 20th goal of the season, while Taylor Matson added a goal and assist as Minnesota (No. 2) beat top-seed North Dakota 5-2 to win the NCAA West Regional on Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Minnesota joins Boston College, Union College and Ferris State University in the NCAA Frozen Four. The games take place next week at the Tampa Bay Times Forum (not at Mariucci, unfortunately).