Hockey | 1/13/2026 3:10:00 PM

Crookston, Minn. - The Golden Eagles head to Minneapolis this weekend to take on the University of Minnesota. These two teams have a lot of history with each other, having played 13 times, the Golden Eagles lead the series 7-6. This is one of the biggest matchups in the entire region this season, with the latest rankings having the Golden Eagles at 11 and the Golden Gophers ranked third. 

In those 13 matchups against each other, the Golden Eagles have scored 41 goals for 3.15 goals per game. They have let up 43 goals for 3.30 goals against per game. These matchups are notoriously tight, and it will likely be the same story again this weekend. The Golden Eagles lost both games to the Golden Gophers last year, which was also in Minneapolis. This is the first time these two teams will meet while not being divisional opponents. This weekend's throwback game is when the Golden Eagles and the Golden Gophers went head-to-head in the WCCHA Tournament in the 2023-24 season, a game that the Golden Eagles won 4-1. Anthony Foster (Jr., F, Warroad, Minn.) led the way in that win, scoring two goals and adding one assist as well.

The Golden Eagles Player to Watch in this weekend's matchup is Anthony Foster, who is fresh off of a stellar performance against Jamestown. Foster now has 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 15 games this season. Foster is also very quickly climbing the ladder of career point leaders in program history, now sitting with the fourth most points in program history. If the Golden Eagles are going to win this weekend, they will need Foster to make a big impact. 

The Golden Eagles and Golden Gophers will meet at Ridder Arena Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3:45 p.m.