The Minnesota Gophers men’s hockey team is facing significant challenges early in the season, starting with a record of 2-7-1 after their first ten games. This marks the most difficult opening stretch under head coach Bob Motzko, who has been at the helm for eight seasons. Following two losses at home against Minnesota Duluth and a pair of defeats at Wisconsin to open Big Ten play, the Gophers are struggling both offensively and defensively.
The Gophers currently sit at the bottom of the Big Ten standings, averaging just 2.2 goals per game while allowing 3.5 goals. Their performance in power play and penalty kill situations is also concerning, as they rank last among the seven teams in the conference. Compounding these issues, the team is missing four players due to injuries, further limiting their options.
Motzko shared that he has received encouragement from friends during this trying time, but some have also reminded him of the challenges that come with coaching. Although he did not disclose the identity of one such caller, he acknowledged that it was a friend from the Bemidji State program.
As the Gophers prepare to host Notre Dame this weekend for their first Big Ten home series of the season, Motzko emphasizes that addressing the lack of scoring is crucial. He noted the importance of staying out of the penalty box and allowing his sophomore defensemen to step up into more significant roles.
One of those defensemen, Leo Gruba, has a notable history of resilience. He recalled a challenging season early in his youth career when his team lost the first 15 games, a lesson in perseverance he hopes to apply as the Gophers work to turn their season around with 25 games still ahead.
Junior defenseman Alex Begley echoed Gruba’s sentiments, stating that the team must learn from their difficult start while focusing on the positives. “Forget about it, but learn from it and take some positives out of it,” he said, highlighting the need for growth and adaptation.
Motzko is aware of the growing impatience among fans who had come to expect sell-out crowds at the Gophers’ home games. He acknowledged the criticism and emphasized the team’s commitment to improving their performance. “We have to own where we’re at,” he stated, recognizing the support and expectations of their dedicated fan base.
The upcoming series against Notre Dame, which boasts a record of 3-4-1 under first-year head coach Brock Sheahan, presents an opportunity for the Gophers to regain momentum. Both teams are currently unranked nationally, making this matchup critical for both programs.
In a positive development, freshman forward Teddy Townsend is expected to rejoin the lineup later this month after recovering from injuries sustained during an on-campus assault on September 20. Townsend, who had a productive junior hockey season with 40 points in 56 games, is anticipated to provide a much-needed boost to the Gophers’ offense.
As the Gophers prepare for their two games on Friday and Saturday, both set to start at 19:00, the team is focused on overcoming their early-season struggles and reigniting their competitive spirit. With a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, the Gophers aim to turn the tide and reclaim their place in the national rankings.
