Gophers hockey has strong presence in NHL, AHL finals

Gophers hockey is well-represented in the final round of the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup playoffs.

While alumni Paul Martin represents the San Jose Sharks and Phil Kessel the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL's championship series, alums Travis Boyd and Aaron Ness are representing the Hershey Bears in the AHL's postseason finals.

The four former Gophers stars have all played a significant role in their team's playoff success.

Kessel scored a goal in the Penguins' Game 2 victory for a 2-0 series lead. The forward's 10 goals are the third-most in the postseason and 19 points tied for fourth.

Martin, the veteran defenseman from Elk River, is among the top three shot blockers with 52 throughout the postseason and has five assists.

Boyd, however, arguably has the top highlight from the postseason with his series-winning overtime goal to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The forward from Hopkins has two goals and six assists throughout the postseason.

Ness, the defenseman from Roseau, Minn., has nine assists during the Bears' postseason run. The Bears lost Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals to the Lake Erie Monsters and host Game 2 Friday night.

The Gophers started the NHL postseason with 12 former standouts on playoff rosters.