Series preview: Gophers hockey vs. Northeastern

Friday: 7 p.m. (FSN Plus, 1500-AM) • Saturday: 8 p.m. (FSN, 1500-AM) • Mariucci Arena

Gophers at a glance: The Gophers are winless through three games after scoring just one goal. Despite the slow start, they remain ranked in the USCHO Top 20 tied for 19th. They dropped four spots from No. 15 after being swept by in-state rival Minnesota Duluth in a home-and-home series last weekend. Freshman goaltender Eric Schierhorn has shown promise in three starts by allowing just eight goals for a 2.71 goals-against average. The issues have been the Gophers offense and lack of scoring by an experienced junior class. Junior captain Justin Kloos leads the team with five shots, but the team's lone goal was scored by freshman Brent Gates Jr. Junior defenseman Michael Brodzinski has one assist.

Northeastern at a glance: The Huskies started the season on a high note with a 2-1 upset over then-No. 20 Colgate. However, the Huskies were swept last weekend in a home-and-home series against Bentley. The offense is led by brothers John and Nolan Stevens, who have two goals apiece. Goaltender Derick Roy, who split time in the net a year ago, has started the first three games of the season and compiled at 2.96 goals-against average. Northeastern finished one spot above Vermont, which defeated the Gophers in their season opener, in the Hockey East standings last season. The Huskies beat the then-No. 3 Gophers 3-2 during Thanksgiving weekend last year in Boston. Minnesota leads the all-time series 8-6.

JASON GONZALEZ