You never want to see an opposition player go down to injury this is a big loss for Barriball that has been a pretty solid three year player for the Gophers. We want to wish him a speedy recovery. I looks like he will apply for the medical redshirt which the NCAA will more than likey grant.

Jay Barriball, the right winger on the first line of the Gophers men's hockey team, is expected to have season-ending knee surgery on Friday.

Preliminary results from a magnetic resonance imaging exam taken Wednesday indicated that Barriball will require surgery, but a final decision likely will be made today. The senior was injured in a routine drill during Tuesday's practice.

"It is not a [torn] ACL," coach Don Lucia said, referring to a common knee injury in contact sports, "but it is serious enough that if you have surgery, it is a four-, five-month deal."

Barriball scored a goal and had two assists last weekend vs. Alaska Anchorage to reach the 100-point milestone. He has 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points in 125 career games.

"[His loss] leaves a big void," Lucia said. "The good thing for Jay is he did not get past the threshold" to apply for medical redshirt year this season. The threshold is one-third of the season. If the NCAA gives Barriball a redshirt year, he would have another year of eligibility in 2010-11. [Star Tribune]