Huskies and Gophers Renew Rivalry for Top-5 Showdown

Friday, October 15

Minneapolis, Minn.

7:00 P.M. CT

St. Cloud State

Minnesota

10/14/2021 6:59:00 PM | Men's Hockey

Home-and-Home series will take place in Minneapolis on Friday, St. Cloud on Saturday

GAME NOTES

THE MATCHUP

St. Cloud State Men's Hockey renews its rivalry with the Minnesota Gophers this weekend, as the Huskies and Gophers play a home-and-home series on Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16. St. Cloud State will first travel to the Gophers for a matchup at 3M Arena at Mariuccci on Friday before the pair of teams meet in St. Cloud on Saturday, which will serve as SCSU's homecoming game. Both team's rank in the top-five nationally heading into the weekend, as the Huskies rank No. 2 in the USCHO Poll and USA Today / USA Hockey Coaches Poll, while the Gophers rank No. 4 in both polls. Friday's game will start at 7 p.m. CT and will be televised on Bally Sports North, while Saturday's game will be televised on Fox 9 + with Jim Rich, Pat Micheletti and Mark Parrish on the call. Both games will be available via radio on A radio broadcast of both game's will also be available on KNSI (1450 AM / 99.3 FM) with Jim Erickson on and Dave Reichel on the call.

THE SERIES

For the second weekend in-a-row, one of the longest rivalries in program history will be renewed as the Huskies and Gophers will play for the 103^rd and 104^th times. Minnesota holds the advantage in the all-time sereies, 56-34-12, however the Huskies have won six of the last 10, including five straight between Nov. 27, 2015 and Jan. 6, 2018. It will be the first game between the two schools since a 4-1 Gopher win in the Mariucci Classic on Dec. 29, 2019. The last time the Gophers visited St. Cloud, the Huskies came away with a 5-2 win on Jan. 6, 2018. Both teams will be very familiar with each other, as Gopher Head Coach Bob Motzko and Assistant Coach Garret Raboin are both alumni and former coaches with the program, Motzko as head coach for 13 seasons from 2005-18. A pair of brothers will also take the ice on opposing sides this weekend, as Easton Brodzinski and Nick Perbix suit up for the Huskies, while Bryce Brodzinski and Jack Perbix suit up for the Gophers.

A LOOK BACK AT LAST WEEKEND

St. Cloud State came away with a split at No. 1/2 Minnesota State last weekend, with the Mavericks edging the Huskies, 1-0 on Friday night before a 3-1 win for St. Cloud State on Saturday night in Mankato. Nolan Walker, Mason Salquist and Veeti Mietinnen scored for the Huskies on Saturday, while David Hrenak made saves on 50 of 52 shots over the weekend to help the Huskies earn the split on the road.

TOUGH SCHEDULE AHEAD

St. Cloud State's 2021-22 schedule will be one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, as the Huskies are in the second weekend of a stretch facing opponents ranked or receiving votes in each of the national polls in nine of 10 consecutive series. As it currently stands, the Huskies will face ranked opponents or teams receiving votes in one of the two national polls in 13 of its 17 season series.

HOMECOMING WEEKEND

This weekend will serve as Homecoming Week for St. Cloud State University, as the Huskies will be in action in many different games over the week of Oct. 13-17. For a full list of St. Cloud State Athletics events, please visit scsuhuskies.com/scsu2021hc for more information.
St. Cloud State will host a FanFest prior to Saturday's game, which will take place from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Herb Brooks Way and will feature tailgating, music from KCLD, an inflatable obstacle course, axe throwing, cornhole, food trucks and a social tent with alcoholic beverages. After the game, fans are encouraged to stick around and watch a free concert from Coyote Wild, which is scheduled to start at approximately 7:30 p.m. CT.
The Huskies will wear retro jerseys from the 1985-86 season on Saturday night, and fans will be able to purchase the game worn jerseys during the game. Those wishing to purchase a jersey must be present at the game to participate. A table with auction information will be located at the southside concourse of the HBNHC. Winners will be able to take a picture with the corresponding student-athlete and claim the jersey following the game.

HRENAK ON TOP

With three victories to open the season, St. Cloud State Men's Hockey graduate goalie David Hrenak has now recorded the most victories for goaltenders in program history with 69 wins. He surpassed Brian Leitza (66-56-7, 1994-98) with a season-opening win over St. Thomas on Oct. 2. In four seasons as the starter for the Huskies, Hrenak has posted a record of 69-34-9 with 12 shutouts and a 91.0 save percentage. Among program ranks, Hrenak ranks first in shutouts (12), second in total saves (2,740) and fourth in goals against average (2.39).
Hrenak was named the NCHC Goalie of the Week on Oct. 11, as he helped lead the Huskies to a road split against No. 1/2 Minnesota State. Hrenak made saves on 50 of 52 shots (96.2 percent) against the Mavericks and led the Huskies to a 3-1 victory on Saturday, making 22 saves. The Husky netminder also made 28 saves on Friday night in a 1-0 loss.
On the season, Hrenak ranks first in the NCAA in goals against average (0.84) and sixth in save percentage (.961). Both marks are tops amongst the NCHC.

OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER

St. Cloud State has opened the season as an offensive juggernaut, ranking among the top-10 nationally in many categories, including points (47, 1st in NCHC / 1st in NCAA), assists (30, 1st in NCHC / 1st in NCAA) and goals per game (4.25, 4th in NCHC / 10th in NCAA). The scoring has been balanced as well, as six Huskies have the back of the net, while nine enter the weekend with 3+ points.
The Huskies have been highly successful on the power play as well, converting 47.4 percent (9-of-19) on the season, which ranks first in the NCHC and fourth in the NCAA. The Huskies nine power play goals rank second nationally. Individually, Kevin Fitzgerald and Zach Okabe have each scored twice on the power play this season.
Winning faceoffs certainly helps the offense flow, and the Huskies have two of the best in the circle this season. Nolan Walker ranks third in the NCAA with 46 faceoffs won, while Fitzgerald ranks eighth with 39 won.

SIX HUSKIES MAKE NHL OPENING NIGHT ROSTERS

St. Cloud State had six alumni make NHL opening night rosters as the league kicks off its season this week: Will Borgen (Seattle), Dennis Cholowski (Seattle), Nic Dowd (Washington), Nick Jensen (Washington), Blake Lizotte (Los Angeles), Ryan Poehling (Montreal).