MINNEAPOLIS 鈥� On Jan. 2, 2010, the Minnesota Gophers opened the 2010s with a 3-1 win over Bowling Green in the opening round of the tournament then known as the Dodge Holiday Classic. On Sunday night, they Gophers beat St. Cloud State 4-1 to win the same tournament, now called the Mariucci Classic.
Minnesota ended the decade with 218 wins, 138 losses and 35 ties, for a .602 winning percentage. Those are far from the only numbers of significance, as one looks back on the notable moments in Gophers hockey over the past decade. A few more digits of note:
The Gophers begin the 2020s on Friday, Jan. 10, with a Big Ten contest at Michigan State.
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1/4: Former Gophers forward Phil Kessel won the Stanley Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2010s, including here in 2016 when the Pens defeated the San Jose Sharks for the NHL title. University of Minnesota Athletics photo.
2/4: After agreeing to a five-year contract to coach the Minnesota Gophers in March of 2018, Bob Motzko has a 25-25-8 record with the team. John Autey / The Rink Live
3/4: At the end of the 2017-18 season, Don Lucia retired after 19 seasons and two NCAA titles as the Minnesota Gophers head coach. John Autey / The Rink Live
4/4: Forward Tyler Sheehy was named the Big Ten's most valuable player in 2017 and was one of three Gophers who were finalists for the Hobey Baker Award in the decade. Jim Rosvold / Forum News Service
Jess Myers was a reporter for Forum Communications Co.
