Wisconsin Blanks Minnesota 6-0 In WCHA

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Just when it looked like the Minnesota Gophers had turned the corner, Wisconsin reminded them they have a ways to go with a 6-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association win Friday.

Michael Mersch had two goals and Scott Gudmandson stopped all 24 shots he faced as Wisconsin extended its win streak to three games. Minnesota was coming off its own three-game streak, including a two-game sweep at Denver.

Mersch tallied his fourth and fifth goals of the season for the Badgers (6-2-1, 3-1-1 WCHA). Wisconsin outshot the Gophers 38-24 and scored four goals on 16 shots in the second period.

The six goals were the most allowed by the Gophers (5-4-0, 3-4-0) this season and the six-goal difference was most lopsided loss to Wisconsin under coach Don Lucia. The teams play again Saturday.

"We have to be mentally a little tougher," Lucia said after the game. "We had a lot of guys with poor performances tonight."

Derek Lee, Jordy Murray and Mark Zangerle scored in the four-goal second period and Tyler Barnes also scored against Minnesota goalie Alex Kangas.

"Our style is to get the puck to the net, go hard and bang them in," Barnes said.

Kangas made 13 saves in the first period and 12 in the second. Zengerle's goal with 40 seconds left in the second period was the only power play goal.

Wisconsin was 1-for-6 on the power play. The Gophers were 0-for-4.

Gudmandson was busiest in the first period with nine stops.

"I'm a competitor. I want to stop every puck," Gudmandson said. "Putting up six goals makes it a little easier for me."

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