Freshman Jordan Schroeder, the Gophers’ first-line center, leads all rookies in scorng with 14 points on four goals and 10 assists. He is also a good go-to guy on all things hockey.

Is this a big weekend for the U in Denver? “Every weekend is a big weekend, trying to get some points and getting ahead of teams in the WCHA,” Schroeder said. “Obviously Denver – they are a good team every year. Last year they proved they are one of the top teams in the WCHA. It is going to be a good weekend and it’s going to be tough, but we have to be ready.”

He said the U coaches told the players they have to be in the proper mindset. “They told us. ‘Let’s have a good practice and have a good week, starting now [Tuesday]. Let’s focus for 1-1/2 hours or however long we are out there and let’s work hard.”

The team had Monday off and, on Wednesday, practiced in Ridder Arena to get used to the smaller rink in Denver. 

Have the coaches got on the team after its four ties, all in first games of series? “Pretty much, yes, because in most of those ties we had the lead going into the third period and we let that lead slip,” Schroeder said. “But in one of those ties, versus Wisconsin, where we came back in the third period to tie, they were pretty happy about that.

“I still think we should have won that [first New Hampshire] game because we were up,” Schroeder said. “They had a fluke goal at the end of that first period when we are up 2-0 to make it 2-1 but other than that. We have to try winning some Friday  games.

“I don’t know if it is the focus level, or it’s mental. … The coaches are doing a great job having us ready for the next night.”

He said teammates are trying to motivate players, too. “We know when we are playing good and when we are not,” Schroeder said.  ”[Captain] Ryan Stoa let’s us know. If we have a down period, he will come in and get us going.  And it’s not just him, its Flynn and Bostrom and other player who lead.”

Ryan Flynn and Justin Bostrom are the Gophers’ two assistant captains.

POWERFUL UNIT

The Gophers’ power play is 15-for-72, its 20.8 percent success rate is the sixth best nationally and tops in the WCHA. Minnesota has scored power-play goals in nine of 10 games, including seven in a row.

 The Gophers’ penalty kill (93.8 percent) is also first in the conference as is its defense, which is giving up 1.90 goals per game.

AWARDS COMING

The Gophers have already received five WCHA Player of the Week awards this season. That compares to three all of the 2007-08 season when Minnesota finished seventh in the standings.

Goalie Alex Kangas has been named the Defensive Player of the Week twice, Schroeder the Rookie of the Week twice, and Ryan Stoa the Offensive Player of the Week once.

TIDBITS

* Forward Nick Larson and defenseman Brian Schack were the two extra players who made the trip to Denver. Both played in Sunday’s game against Michigan Tech after not playing in Saturday’s game. … Wish I was in Denver. The forecast calls for highs of 50 degrees on Friday, 62 on Saturday, according to Gophers SID Jim Strick.

* DU coach George Gwozdecky had a 30-minute live chat with the Pioneers faithful Thursday afternoon. This was the first in a series of Denver chats on the web.

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