For Denver: forwards Gabe Gauthier, Paul Stastny and Ryan Dingle; defensemen Matt Carle and Chris Butler. Statistics coming into the weekend: 60 goals, 108 assists (168 points).

In terms of overall talent and statistics, between these two groups, it seemed like such a close matchup.

Amanda Schwengel

Freshman forward Phil Kessel notched four assists in Minnesota's weekend sweep of Denver at Mariucci Arena. Kessel assisted on two consecutive goals in the first period of the Gophers' 5-1 win on Saturday night. The second of his two assists in that game gave Minnesota a 3-0 lead.

Minnesota’s top-end players were all over the ice — and the stat sheet — this weekend and Denver’s players really weren’t. That was perhaps the biggest reason why the Gophers swept the Pioneers at Mariucci Arena.

Minnesota’s bunch had five goals and 10 assists (15 points) while Denver’s had just two goals and four assists (six points).

“Their top-end guys were very, very good both nights," Denver coach George Gwozdecky said after Saturday’s game.

“And when you get down into games like this and series like this, especially at this time of year where you’re battling for position, not only in the league, but nationally, you have to have your top-end guys play the way they did. And they should be very proud of their performance."

Potulny was the standout in the group Friday night. The junior continued his strong season by netting two goals, including the game-winner on the power play.

The remaining four Gophers were strongest Saturday.

After a rusty performance Friday, having missed time because of a separated shoulder, Irmen regained form. The junior scored two of Minnesota’s first three goals that came in the first 8:34 of the game.

Kessel almost solely was responsible for setting up two of the goals — Irmen’s second tally and another by Ben Gordon, on which he made a great pass in a 2-on-1 situation.

Goligoski ripped a one-timer past Denver goalie Peter Mannino for Minnesota’s final goal and added two assists. And Harrington had two assists, the first of which gave him 100 career points.

Potulny again was a factor Saturday, assisting on the Gophers’ fourth goal by forward Ryan Stoa and turning in a textbook screen in front of Mannino on Goligoski’s goal.

“Our go-to guys really made some plays," said Harrington, who had three assists this weekend.

“And those guys need to make those plays in order for us to be successful."

Denver’s group did not make many plays and, as a result, the Pioneers had little success.

Most surprising was the performance of Denver’s biggest gun and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s leading scorer, junior defenseman Matt Carle.

Carle, considered the front-runner for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, was basically a non-factor in the series, totaling just one assist.

“We really keyed on him," Goligoski said. “We wanted our forwards to finish all their checks on him because we know he logs a lot of minutes. He plays, like, 30 minutes a game. Just wear him down and be aware when he’s out there on the ice and for the most part, I think we did that this weekend."

Indeed they did. And Minnesota’s ability to shut down Carle and Co., gave its offense the chance to do what it does best: put up big numbers and lead the way.

“You win with great players, and we’ve got some outstanding players," coach Don Lucia said.