Reporters are supposed to be unbiased and objective. Heck, before every Gophers hockey game, a voice in the pressbox reminds reporters that there is no cheering in the press box.

Of course, a few people clap almost every time in response to that reminder. The nerve.

Tonight, though, it will be hard not to root for — inside at least — goalie Brent Solei. I know coach Don Lucia has not namedthe senior walk-onas the starter yet. But if you make somebody wait 3-1/2 years to play, why make him wait an additional day? I think it will be Solei in the nets tonight against Wayne State and freshman Alex Kangas the next night.

Solei is a great story, and a better person if you listen to his coaches and teammates. Elk River coach Tony Sarsland said Solei was not recruited much at allin his highschool because the teams he played on were so good.

Most games, he needed to make only 12 to 14 saves. Not much chance to show how good he was.

That could be the case again tonight, too. If he plays well and shows enough — which you have to hope he does — don’t be surprised if he gets another start.

These Gophers don’t score much, so the team has to be better in the nets if it expects to make a strong run in the WCHA playoffs and get into the NCAA tournament.

This is a strange series, playing against a team which is going to be disbanded after this season because the program is losing too much money.

So the Solei debut adds alittle spice to the weekend. Nice move Don Lucia. The FSN broadcasters, I’m sure, thank you, too, unless you hold Solei for Saturday. You won’t do that will you?

Reading the tea leaves, the Gophers coaches are not real happy with the way junior Jeff Frazee is playing. He isgiving up nearly three goalsper game and his save percentage is under.900. And he gives up soft goals too often. This team can’t afford that.

How do you think Lucia should handle his goaltending threesome? Do you think Solei should be given another start if he does well in his first?

Will Frazee come around? Or should Kangas become the workhorse in the nets? I’m sure Lucia wants your advice.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 4th, 2008 at 8:58 am and is filed under Gophers men's hockey. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.