In late February, I went out to State College and covered Minnesota's Big Ten regular-season road finale series against Penn State for old friends Zone Coverage. (I was planning on covering the Gophers' Big Ten conference semifinal return for the Minneapolis Star Tribune before it and the rest of the college hockey season was canceled due to coronavirus.) Pegula Arena has not been kind to Minnesota as of late, and that streak continued for the young Gophers.
Minnesota showed heart Friday, coming back from a 2-1 deficit to lead in the third period despite being outshot 57-25, before tying 3-3 and losing the extra Big Ten conference point in 3-on-3 OT. The Gophers led 2-1 on Saturday before Penn State came back with two goals in 31 seconds to take the lead, the game (and a week later the Big Ten regular-season championship).
Both recaps can be found below.
Friday: https://zonecoverage.com/2020/gophers/gophers-nittany-lions-skate-to-a-3-3-tie-in-battle-for-big-ten-supremacy/
Saturday: https://zonecoverage.com/2020/gophers/golden-gophers-squander-2-0-lead-dim-big-ten-title-hopes-in-loss-to-nittany-lions/
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Showing posts with label Zone Coverage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zone Coverage. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Monday, October 1, 2018
Game Story: Familiar Faces & Lines Lead Minnesota to Season-Opening Win (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- Opening the season trailing after twenty minutes, some new old faces got the Gophers on the winning track against No. 10 Mercyhurst.
No. 3 Minnesota scored four unanswered goals after changing lines, defeating the Lakers 4-2 in the season opener for both teams. Kelly Pannek and Sarah Potomak, in their return to wearing the maroon and gold, each finished with two points.
“We just needed something to spark some energy and that happened to be changing lines,” said Pannek, who spent the 2017-18 season winning an Olympic gold medal with the United States national team. “What was really cool is that everyone responded so well to it. You saw four units go out there and possess the puck, make awesome plays and it was really fun to see everyone gel and click like that so quickly.”
Minnesota (1-0-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA) began the game with its top forwards spread out across all four lines. Head coach Brad Frost wanted to have balance, however, the team wasn’t able to pressure Mercyhurst (0-1-0, 0-0-0 CHA) goaltender Kennedy Blair.
Instead, the Lakers got chances and made the most of a 12 second power play when Emma Nuuitinen shot the puck past sophomore goalie Alex Gulstene.
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No. 3 Minnesota scored four unanswered goals after changing lines, defeating the Lakers 4-2 in the season opener for both teams. Kelly Pannek and Sarah Potomak, in their return to wearing the maroon and gold, each finished with two points.
“We just needed something to spark some energy and that happened to be changing lines,” said Pannek, who spent the 2017-18 season winning an Olympic gold medal with the United States national team. “What was really cool is that everyone responded so well to it. You saw four units go out there and possess the puck, make awesome plays and it was really fun to see everyone gel and click like that so quickly.”
Minnesota (1-0-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA) began the game with its top forwards spread out across all four lines. Head coach Brad Frost wanted to have balance, however, the team wasn’t able to pressure Mercyhurst (0-1-0, 0-0-0 CHA) goaltender Kennedy Blair.
Instead, the Lakers got chances and made the most of a 12 second power play when Emma Nuuitinen shot the puck past sophomore goalie Alex Gulstene.
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Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Game Story: Minnesota wins WCHA Final Faceoff Championship (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- Only once the puck crossed the red line and into the empty net was Minnesota able to celebrate Sunday.
With Minnesota holding on to a one-goal lead against the top-ranked Badgers, Wisconsin spent nearly two minutes in the Gopher end before Nicole Schammel sealed the game by skating in alone and scoring an empty-netter with 13.3 seconds remaining.
“It felt pretty good once that went in,” said Minnesota head coach Brad Frost, noting Patrik Stefan’s missed empty net attempt in the NHL as reason to not count a goal before it happened. “Once it crossed the line I felt good.”
The Gophers celebrated again once the final whistle was blown, defeating Wisconsin 3-1 Sunday to take home the 2018 WCHA Final Faceoff championship. Sidney Peters made 31 saves Sunday as her team claimed victory over the Badgers for the first time in five attempts this season.
Minnesota (23-10-4), winning the tournament for the first time since 2014, earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The eight-team field will be announced Sunday evening.
With Minnesota holding on to a one-goal lead against the top-ranked Badgers, Wisconsin spent nearly two minutes in the Gopher end before Nicole Schammel sealed the game by skating in alone and scoring an empty-netter with 13.3 seconds remaining.
“It felt pretty good once that went in,” said Minnesota head coach Brad Frost, noting Patrik Stefan’s missed empty net attempt in the NHL as reason to not count a goal before it happened. “Once it crossed the line I felt good.”
The Gophers celebrated again once the final whistle was blown, defeating Wisconsin 3-1 Sunday to take home the 2018 WCHA Final Faceoff championship. Sidney Peters made 31 saves Sunday as her team claimed victory over the Badgers for the first time in five attempts this season.
Minnesota (23-10-4), winning the tournament for the first time since 2014, earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The eight-team field will be announced Sunday evening.
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Game Story: Penn State holds on, knocks Gophers out of Big Ten Conference Tournament (Zone Coverage)
The Gophers, having likely done enough over the first 34 games to earn an at-large bid when the 16 team field is announced on March 18, will enter the NCAA Tournament on a four-game losing streak, all to the Nittany Lions and all at Pegula Arena.
The latest loss came Saturday when Penn State came out ahead 6-5 in a game which saw Minnesota (19-17-2) explode for four goals in the second period and four lead changes.
Evan Barratt scored twice Saturday, including the game-winning goal with 8:35 remaining in regulation.
“We were a little sluggish in the first and then after that I thought we played hard and fought right until the end. It’s just disappointing we didn’t get that final goal,” Minnesota head coach Don Lucia told reporters after Saturday’s game. “The guys had a great push in the second and third period and showed a lot of who they are coming back from 3-1 on the road.”
Combined with Friday’s 5-3 victory, Penn State won the best-of-three quarterfinal series 2-0 and will advance to next week’s Big Ten semifinal.
The latest loss came Saturday when Penn State came out ahead 6-5 in a game which saw Minnesota (19-17-2) explode for four goals in the second period and four lead changes.
Evan Barratt scored twice Saturday, including the game-winning goal with 8:35 remaining in regulation.
“We were a little sluggish in the first and then after that I thought we played hard and fought right until the end. It’s just disappointing we didn’t get that final goal,” Minnesota head coach Don Lucia told reporters after Saturday’s game. “The guys had a great push in the second and third period and showed a lot of who they are coming back from 3-1 on the road.”
Combined with Friday’s 5-3 victory, Penn State won the best-of-three quarterfinal series 2-0 and will advance to next week’s Big Ten semifinal.
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Game Story: Gophers advance to WCHA Final Faceoff (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- Needing a win, Minnesota got its biggest victory of the season. The Gophers will continue theirs.
Freshman Grace Zumwinkle scored both goals Saturday in a 2-0 win over Ohio State. Minnesota (23-10-3) will face Wisconsin for the WCHA Final Faceoff championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
“It was a great game here tonight. I thought we played extremely hard and battled and competed,” said head coach Brad Frost. “(Gophers redshirt senior goaltender) Sid(ney) Peters was fantastic obviously and Zummy and her line, in particular, played a really big role.”
Entering Saturday on the outside of the NCAA Tournament and having gone 0-3-1 against the opponent, Peters stopped all 33 shots she faced.
Ohio State (23-10-4) appeared to have scored in the opening 90 seconds, but Charly Dahlquist’s shot was waved off when the net came off first. Referees reviewed the play and confirmed the call.
Freshman Grace Zumwinkle scored both goals Saturday in a 2-0 win over Ohio State. Minnesota (23-10-3) will face Wisconsin for the WCHA Final Faceoff championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
“It was a great game here tonight. I thought we played extremely hard and battled and competed,” said head coach Brad Frost. “(Gophers redshirt senior goaltender) Sid(ney) Peters was fantastic obviously and Zummy and her line, in particular, played a really big role.”
Entering Saturday on the outside of the NCAA Tournament and having gone 0-3-1 against the opponent, Peters stopped all 33 shots she faced.
Ohio State (23-10-4) appeared to have scored in the opening 90 seconds, but Charly Dahlquist’s shot was waved off when the net came off first. Referees reviewed the play and confirmed the call.
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Game Story: Penn State takes Game against Minnesota (Zone Coverage)
Fifty-five seconds near the end of the second period changed the course of Friday’s Big Ten quarterfinal opener.
With the game tied at two and 1:12 remaining, Penn State’s Denis Smirnov and Andrew Sturtz each scored before the second-period buzzer sounded to leave the Gophers in a two-goal hole entering the third period.
It was enough of a cushion for the Nittany Lions to hold on in a 5-3 win in the best-of-three series and put the Gophers on a three-game losing streak.
“When you get into a game like that I thought both teams competed hard,” head coach Don Lucia told reporters after the game. “We battled back to tie it 2-2 and the next turning point for me was the last minute of the second period.”
Special teams played a major role for both teams in the third consecutive game against one another at Pegula Arena. Freshman Casey Mittelstadt got his first multi-goal game for Minnesota (19-16-2) with both markers coming on the power play.
With the game tied at two and 1:12 remaining, Penn State’s Denis Smirnov and Andrew Sturtz each scored before the second-period buzzer sounded to leave the Gophers in a two-goal hole entering the third period.
It was enough of a cushion for the Nittany Lions to hold on in a 5-3 win in the best-of-three series and put the Gophers on a three-game losing streak.
“When you get into a game like that I thought both teams competed hard,” head coach Don Lucia told reporters after the game. “We battled back to tie it 2-2 and the next turning point for me was the last minute of the second period.”
Special teams played a major role for both teams in the third consecutive game against one another at Pegula Arena. Freshman Casey Mittelstadt got his first multi-goal game for Minnesota (19-16-2) with both markers coming on the power play.
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Thursday, March 1, 2018
Game Story: Minnesota loses game, series & home ice to Penn State (Zone Coverage)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA- Losing a shootout last Saturday turned out to be the difference for Minnesota.
Or it could possibly be a blown 3-0 lead to Michigan in November that resulted in a loss in overtime.
The 4-0 lead the next night which resulted in two points rather than three comes to mind. Maybe Wisconsin or Ohio State finding a way to win tied games in the third period did it. Maybe being shut out at Notre Dame despite 44 shots on Cale Morris.
Then there’s this weekend. After 24 Big Ten league games, Minnesota fell one point short of home ice.
“It’s tough. It’s not the weekend that we wanted,” Gopher junior forward Brent Gates Jr. said.
Needing a single point on the road in either of the two games against Penn State, the Gophers got swept at Pegula Arena for the first time in program history. Despite a better start Saturday a night after handily losing 5-1, Minnesota could not find a way early past Peyton Jones.
The Nittany Lions scored twice in the opening 10:48 to go on and win the regular season finale 5-2. Celebrating with streamers from the student section, PSU finishes with 34 points compared to 33 for the Gophers.
“We didn’t play as we needed to yesterday, as the shots and score showed. You can’t leave the second game to chance,” said Mike Szmatula.
Or it could possibly be a blown 3-0 lead to Michigan in November that resulted in a loss in overtime.
The 4-0 lead the next night which resulted in two points rather than three comes to mind. Maybe Wisconsin or Ohio State finding a way to win tied games in the third period did it. Maybe being shut out at Notre Dame despite 44 shots on Cale Morris.
Then there’s this weekend. After 24 Big Ten league games, Minnesota fell one point short of home ice.
“It’s tough. It’s not the weekend that we wanted,” Gopher junior forward Brent Gates Jr. said.
Needing a single point on the road in either of the two games against Penn State, the Gophers got swept at Pegula Arena for the first time in program history. Despite a better start Saturday a night after handily losing 5-1, Minnesota could not find a way early past Peyton Jones.
The Nittany Lions scored twice in the opening 10:48 to go on and win the regular season finale 5-2. Celebrating with streamers from the student section, PSU finishes with 34 points compared to 33 for the Gophers.
“We didn’t play as we needed to yesterday, as the shots and score showed. You can’t leave the second game to chance,” said Mike Szmatula.
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Game Story: Minnesota embarrassed in Happy Valley (Zone Coverage)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA- Before the game the Roar Zone, Penn State’s student section, unveiled a giant banner that showed a Nittany Lion chasing a Gopher and said “Ski-U-Meh.”
“Meh” might be kind.
Alex Limoges was able to tap a Roar Zone poster of an “easy” button against the glass when he scored his team’s fifth goal in a move which summed up the night for Penn State.
Facing a desperate Penn State team needing wins to keep its NCAA Tournament chances alive, the Gophers were anything but Friday night. The Nittany Lions defeated Minnesota 5-1 in front of 6,171 fans, leaving an embarrassed Gopher squad angry at their own effort.
“It’s really disappointing. When you lose a game because you didn’t bring your effort, that’s on you,” sophomore defenseman Ryan Lindgren said. “When you get outshot (61-15) it’s flat out embarrassing. When you don’t bring the effort that’s on us.”
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| Photo credit: Nathan Wells |
“Meh” might be kind.
Alex Limoges was able to tap a Roar Zone poster of an “easy” button against the glass when he scored his team’s fifth goal in a move which summed up the night for Penn State.
Facing a desperate Penn State team needing wins to keep its NCAA Tournament chances alive, the Gophers were anything but Friday night. The Nittany Lions defeated Minnesota 5-1 in front of 6,171 fans, leaving an embarrassed Gopher squad angry at their own effort.
“It’s really disappointing. When you lose a game because you didn’t bring your effort, that’s on you,” sophomore defenseman Ryan Lindgren said. “When you get outshot (61-15) it’s flat out embarrassing. When you don’t bring the effort that’s on us.”
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Sunday, February 18, 2018
Game Story: Gopher Senior Day ends in tied goaltender duel (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- Neither goalie would budge, even when the game was officially over.
Minnesota goaltender Mat Robson and Ohio State goaltender Sean Romeo matched one another for 65 minutes. Each allowed one goal as the two top-10 teams finished Saturday afternoon tied 1-1.
OSU (19-8-5, 12-8-2-1 Big Ten) earned an extra point in the Big Ten standings by winning an eight-round shootout 2-1 between the two teams.
Making his seventh consecutive start in net, Robson tied his career high with 38 saves Saturday. In 11 games this season, the Minnesota (19-13-2, 10-10-2-1 Big Ten) sophomore has allowed two goals or fewer in nine and has a .945 save percentage.
“He was great. He’s been really good since he’s been able to join us,” said Brent Gates Jr. after the game. “You can’t blame him for that. He played an amazing game. He played great in overtime and did amazing in the shootout. One beat him, but he played a phenomenal game.”
Minnesota goaltender Mat Robson and Ohio State goaltender Sean Romeo matched one another for 65 minutes. Each allowed one goal as the two top-10 teams finished Saturday afternoon tied 1-1.
OSU (19-8-5, 12-8-2-1 Big Ten) earned an extra point in the Big Ten standings by winning an eight-round shootout 2-1 between the two teams.
Making his seventh consecutive start in net, Robson tied his career high with 38 saves Saturday. In 11 games this season, the Minnesota (19-13-2, 10-10-2-1 Big Ten) sophomore has allowed two goals or fewer in nine and has a .945 save percentage.
“He was great. He’s been really good since he’s been able to join us,” said Brent Gates Jr. after the game. “You can’t blame him for that. He played an amazing game. He played great in overtime and did amazing in the shootout. One beat him, but he played a phenomenal game.”
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Saturday, February 17, 2018
Game Story: Sadek sweep, Glover goal help No. 9 Minnesota defeat No. 6 Ohio State (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- By his own admission, it wasn’t the best clear Jack Sadek had.
With No. 6 Ohio State (19-8-4, 12-8-1-0 Big Ten) pulling goaltender Sean Romeo and looking for a last-minute game-tying goal, the Minnesota junior defenseman gave a helping hand to his goaltender. Matthew Weis’ shot beat Gopher goaltender Mat Robson, going off the post.
Sadek was right there, however.
He sent the puck down the length of the ice and nearly scored on an empty net with 32 seconds remaining to stymie OSU’s best and last chance. No. 9 Minnesota held on to beat the Buckeyes 2-1 for its sixth win in the team’s last seven games.
“I was lucky enough to clear it,” he said. “Probably not the best clear up the middle, but it worked out.”
While the Gopher offense, coming off an 11-goal weekend in Madison, continued to click and create chances, the defense once again came through. Playing with the mentality that the playoffs began last week Minnesota (19-13-1, 10-10-1-1 Big Ten) limited the number of Buckeyes odd-man rushes and opportunities.
With No. 6 Ohio State (19-8-4, 12-8-1-0 Big Ten) pulling goaltender Sean Romeo and looking for a last-minute game-tying goal, the Minnesota junior defenseman gave a helping hand to his goaltender. Matthew Weis’ shot beat Gopher goaltender Mat Robson, going off the post.
Sadek was right there, however.
He sent the puck down the length of the ice and nearly scored on an empty net with 32 seconds remaining to stymie OSU’s best and last chance. No. 9 Minnesota held on to beat the Buckeyes 2-1 for its sixth win in the team’s last seven games.
“I was lucky enough to clear it,” he said. “Probably not the best clear up the middle, but it worked out.”
While the Gopher offense, coming off an 11-goal weekend in Madison, continued to click and create chances, the defense once again came through. Playing with the mentality that the playoffs began last week Minnesota (19-13-1, 10-10-1-1 Big Ten) limited the number of Buckeyes odd-man rushes and opportunities.
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Monday, February 12, 2018
Game Story: Border Battle ends with 7-1 Minnesota win and sweep
Droughts snapped, Minnesota’s offense came out of hibernation in front of Kohl Center’s first sellout crowd since 2014.
The Border Battle ended Saturday with the visiting Gophers leaving Madison in dominating fashion with the team’s first true road sweep of the season. With 15,000 fans watching, Minnesota defeated Wisconsin 7-1 Saturday.
“It’s one of those nights where we haven’t had much puck luck all year long with guys scoring goals. Tonight they went in,” said Minnesota head coach Don Lucia. “The guys we needed to score scored.”
All four lines scored for Minnesota (18-13-1, 9-10-1-1 Big Ten), whose seven goals were a season high. The Gopher power play, which had been an abysmal 3 for its last 54 attempts over a 13 game stretch, matched that total Saturday.
Mat Robson, making his fifth consecutive start, stopped 23 of 24 shots for the Gophers.
“Our team did a real good job keeping (Wisconsin) to the perimeter and made my job really easy and I feel they made me look really good all weekend,” he said.
The Border Battle ended Saturday with the visiting Gophers leaving Madison in dominating fashion with the team’s first true road sweep of the season. With 15,000 fans watching, Minnesota defeated Wisconsin 7-1 Saturday.
“It’s one of those nights where we haven’t had much puck luck all year long with guys scoring goals. Tonight they went in,” said Minnesota head coach Don Lucia. “The guys we needed to score scored.”
All four lines scored for Minnesota (18-13-1, 9-10-1-1 Big Ten), whose seven goals were a season high. The Gopher power play, which had been an abysmal 3 for its last 54 attempts over a 13 game stretch, matched that total Saturday.
Mat Robson, making his fifth consecutive start, stopped 23 of 24 shots for the Gophers.
“Our team did a real good job keeping (Wisconsin) to the perimeter and made my job really easy and I feel they made me look really good all weekend,” he said.
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Game Story: Tyler Sheehy leads the way for Minnesota in Border Battle win (Zone Coverage)
Minnesota’s captain led the way in the third period when the team needed him most.
In front of a hostile Kohl Center crowd, Tyler Sheehy twice put the Gophers ahead of Wisconsin to help Minnesota return from an idle weekend with a 4-2 road win.
“Coming into this weekend we knew it was going to be high emotions with a rival like Wisconsin so it felt great to play a really, really good game,” Sheehy told reporters postgame. “We competed for 60 minutes and completed it there at the end.”
The Gophers entered the game with a struggling offense having scored four goals in its last three games. The struggles continued before erupting for three goals in the third period alone.
Playing on a line with Tommy Novak and Brent Gates Jr., Sheehy scored the game-winning goal with 4:48 remaining in regulation.
“Fortunately for us, our captain came through,” head coach Don Lucia told reporters.
In front of a hostile Kohl Center crowd, Tyler Sheehy twice put the Gophers ahead of Wisconsin to help Minnesota return from an idle weekend with a 4-2 road win.
“Coming into this weekend we knew it was going to be high emotions with a rival like Wisconsin so it felt great to play a really, really good game,” Sheehy told reporters postgame. “We competed for 60 minutes and completed it there at the end.”
The Gophers entered the game with a struggling offense having scored four goals in its last three games. The struggles continued before erupting for three goals in the third period alone.
Playing on a line with Tommy Novak and Brent Gates Jr., Sheehy scored the game-winning goal with 4:48 remaining in regulation.
“Fortunately for us, our captain came through,” head coach Don Lucia told reporters.
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Monday, January 29, 2018
Game Story: Undisciplined play costs Gophers against No. 1 Notre Dame
MINNEAPOLIS- After a hard-fought win Friday, undisciplined play cost No. 13 Minnesota a chance to sweep the top-ranked Fighting Irish at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
The Gophers put Notre Dame on the power play six times and paid dearly. Entering Saturday having been shut out in back-to-back games following a 16-game winning streak, the Fighting Irish scored three power-play goals en route to a 4-1 win and series split.
“We took some undisciplined penalties tonight. Against a good quality team like that you can’t,” Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said. “We got down 2-rip and you’re chasing. Against them that’s not the team you want to chase the scoreboard against.
“(Notre Dame has) got the record they do for a reason so we’ll continue the learning process. It was important for us to get a win this weekend.”
Brannon McManus scored the home team’s lone goal late in the second period to get the Gophers within a goal. Skating down the ice on an odd-man rush with Rem Pitlick, he made a move around a defender and buried the puck past goaltender Cale Morris.
“Any time you can go in with any sort of momentum it’s obviously big,” McManus said about his team entering the third period. “They’re the number one team in the country and they don’t take losing easily. It showed tonight.”
The Gophers put Notre Dame on the power play six times and paid dearly. Entering Saturday having been shut out in back-to-back games following a 16-game winning streak, the Fighting Irish scored three power-play goals en route to a 4-1 win and series split.
“We took some undisciplined penalties tonight. Against a good quality team like that you can’t,” Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said. “We got down 2-rip and you’re chasing. Against them that’s not the team you want to chase the scoreboard against.
“(Notre Dame has) got the record they do for a reason so we’ll continue the learning process. It was important for us to get a win this weekend.”
Brannon McManus scored the home team’s lone goal late in the second period to get the Gophers within a goal. Skating down the ice on an odd-man rush with Rem Pitlick, he made a move around a defender and buried the puck past goaltender Cale Morris.
“Any time you can go in with any sort of momentum it’s obviously big,” McManus said about his team entering the third period. “They’re the number one team in the country and they don’t take losing easily. It showed tonight.”
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Game Story: Minnesota Sweeps Mavericks on Senior Day (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- In their final Ridder Arena regular season appearance, Minnesota’s senior class helped lead the Gophers to its 50th consecutive victory over Minnesota State.
Senior forward Cara Piazza scored the game’s opening goal and senior goaltender Sidney Peters made 32 saves in a 2-0 shutout win. Combined with an Ohio State loss, Saturday’s win moved Minnesota (19-8-2, 12-6-2-0 WCHA) up to second place in the WCHA.
The much-needed two-game sweep comes a week after the Gophers were swept by the Buckeyes in Columbus. Minnesota plays its final four regular-season games on the road against St. Cloud State and Wisconsin before likely returning to host a WCHA first-round playoff series at the end of the month.
“It’s hard to win in our league and so to be able to get on the horse so to speak and find our winning ways is big going into the last four games of the regular season,” said Minnesota head coach Brad Frost.
The Gophers honored its four seniors — defender Sydney Baldwin, Piazza, Peters and forward Caitlin Reilly — prior to Minnesota’s 2017-18 home finale.
“I was tearing up even during the national anthem before the game started,” Peters said. “It was a pretty emotional day for me and the other three seniors just because we love this team so much.”
Senior forward Cara Piazza scored the game’s opening goal and senior goaltender Sidney Peters made 32 saves in a 2-0 shutout win. Combined with an Ohio State loss, Saturday’s win moved Minnesota (19-8-2, 12-6-2-0 WCHA) up to second place in the WCHA.
The much-needed two-game sweep comes a week after the Gophers were swept by the Buckeyes in Columbus. Minnesota plays its final four regular-season games on the road against St. Cloud State and Wisconsin before likely returning to host a WCHA first-round playoff series at the end of the month.
“It’s hard to win in our league and so to be able to get on the horse so to speak and find our winning ways is big going into the last four games of the regular season,” said Minnesota head coach Brad Frost.
The Gophers honored its four seniors — defender Sydney Baldwin, Piazza, Peters and forward Caitlin Reilly — prior to Minnesota’s 2017-18 home finale.
“I was tearing up even during the national anthem before the game started,” Peters said. “It was a pretty emotional day for me and the other three seniors just because we love this team so much.”
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Saturday, January 27, 2018
Game Story: Mittelstadt magic gives No. 13 Minnesota OT win over No. 1 Notre Dame (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- There was nothing pretty about the goal Casey Mittelstadt scored other than it giving Minnesota its second shutout victory over a No. 1 ranked team this month.
Known for his highlight-reel plays that are replayed on television and internet, the freshman forward made one for himself Friday. Mittelstadt, just as he imagined himself as a kid growing up in Eden Prairie, scored his first-ever collegiate overtime winning goal.
Mittelstadt crashed the net in front of Fighting Irish goaltender Cale Morris. Being at the right place, he tapped in a Rem Pitlick shot that Morris could not quite control and sent the 3M at Mariucci crowd into celebration 3:35 into OT in a 1-0 win.
“That’s a pretty special moment,” he said. “Being a Gopher is something that I’ve always dreamed of. Now that I’m actually here I get to make plays out here and wear the jersey and it’s pretty special.”
The victory gives No. 13 Minnesota (16-12-1, 7-9-1-1 Big Ten) a three-game winning streak and breathing room in the Pairwise rankings, which mimic the criteria used to select the NCAA Tournament field. The team also earned three much-needed points in the Big Ten conference standings. One point separates third and sixth place in the Big Ten with the Gophers, Wisconsin and Penn State all tied for fourth with 23 points.
Known for his highlight-reel plays that are replayed on television and internet, the freshman forward made one for himself Friday. Mittelstadt, just as he imagined himself as a kid growing up in Eden Prairie, scored his first-ever collegiate overtime winning goal.
Mittelstadt crashed the net in front of Fighting Irish goaltender Cale Morris. Being at the right place, he tapped in a Rem Pitlick shot that Morris could not quite control and sent the 3M at Mariucci crowd into celebration 3:35 into OT in a 1-0 win.
“That’s a pretty special moment,” he said. “Being a Gopher is something that I’ve always dreamed of. Now that I’m actually here I get to make plays out here and wear the jersey and it’s pretty special.”
The victory gives No. 13 Minnesota (16-12-1, 7-9-1-1 Big Ten) a three-game winning streak and breathing room in the Pairwise rankings, which mimic the criteria used to select the NCAA Tournament field. The team also earned three much-needed points in the Big Ten conference standings. One point separates third and sixth place in the Big Ten with the Gophers, Wisconsin and Penn State all tied for fourth with 23 points.
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Sunday, January 21, 2018
Game Story: Brent Gates Jr. makes it in New York, leading Gophers to Madison Square Garden win (Zone Coverage)
NEW YORK CITY- Start spreading the news. Minnesota is leaving New York, New York Saturday with a season sweep over Michigan State.
The Gophers went to Madison Square Garden as part of the third annual Big Ten “Super Saturday” hockey-hoops doubleheader. While the men’s basketball team fell 67-49 to Ohio State earlier in the day, the men’s hockey team bounced back to skate away with a 2-1 win over the Spartans.
“It was a great experience for our players and our staff to come out here and play at such a historic venue, but as we told our players it’s only fun when you win,” Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said. “We had to grind out a win tonight. It wasn’t easy. I kept talking to our players that sometimes when you don’t have your legs or your hands that you need to find a backup game and find a way to win.”
Minnesota (15-12-1, 6-9-1-1 Big Ten) junior forward Brent Gates Jr. proved he can make it both here in New York and anywhere, scoring the game-winning goal with 3:29 remaining in regulation. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native, who grew up going to Spartans games, continued a hot weekend that began with two assists in East Lansing Thursday.
His goal came off of a bouncing pass by teammate Jack Ramsey that was able to be batted past Michigan State (9-16-1, 3-12-1-1 Big Ten) goaltender John Lethemon, who made 20 saves.
The Gophers went to Madison Square Garden as part of the third annual Big Ten “Super Saturday” hockey-hoops doubleheader. While the men’s basketball team fell 67-49 to Ohio State earlier in the day, the men’s hockey team bounced back to skate away with a 2-1 win over the Spartans.
“It was a great experience for our players and our staff to come out here and play at such a historic venue, but as we told our players it’s only fun when you win,” Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said. “We had to grind out a win tonight. It wasn’t easy. I kept talking to our players that sometimes when you don’t have your legs or your hands that you need to find a backup game and find a way to win.”
Minnesota (15-12-1, 6-9-1-1 Big Ten) junior forward Brent Gates Jr. proved he can make it both here in New York and anywhere, scoring the game-winning goal with 3:29 remaining in regulation. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native, who grew up going to Spartans games, continued a hot weekend that began with two assists in East Lansing Thursday.
His goal came off of a bouncing pass by teammate Jack Ramsey that was able to be batted past Michigan State (9-16-1, 3-12-1-1 Big Ten) goaltender John Lethemon, who made 20 saves.
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Sunday, January 14, 2018
Game Story: Gophers hold players-only meeting after being swept (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- Minnesota needed two goals to come back against Michigan in the third period.
Instead, the Gophers finished with two shots.
Defeated, distraught and looking for answers, frustration boiled over Saturday. The mood inside the Minnesota locker room was quite different than six days earlier when the team emerged with a shutout win over the No. 1 team in the nation.
Michigan (10-10-2, 5-7-2-1 Big Ten) left 3M Arena at Mariucci with a 3-1 win and the first-ever Big Ten sweep over the Gophers by a visiting team. Early goals doomed the home team once again. The Wolverines scored twice in the opening 3:06, digging a hole too deep for Minnesota (13-12-1, 4-9-1-1 Big Ten).
Believing what they’re doing is not working and needing to get on the same page, Gopher players held a 15-minute meeting postgame once the coaches left.
“We addressed each other. We have to hold each other accountable and hold ourselves accountable,” said Minnesota captain Tyler Sheehy.
A night after the Gophers gave up a goal on the very first shift, Michigan’s Brendan Warren scored on the second. Josh Norris wasted no time on a Jake Slaker pass to beat Eric Schierhorn on the power play.
Instead, the Gophers finished with two shots.
Defeated, distraught and looking for answers, frustration boiled over Saturday. The mood inside the Minnesota locker room was quite different than six days earlier when the team emerged with a shutout win over the No. 1 team in the nation.
Michigan (10-10-2, 5-7-2-1 Big Ten) left 3M Arena at Mariucci with a 3-1 win and the first-ever Big Ten sweep over the Gophers by a visiting team. Early goals doomed the home team once again. The Wolverines scored twice in the opening 3:06, digging a hole too deep for Minnesota (13-12-1, 4-9-1-1 Big Ten).
Believing what they’re doing is not working and needing to get on the same page, Gopher players held a 15-minute meeting postgame once the coaches left.
“We addressed each other. We have to hold each other accountable and hold ourselves accountable,” said Minnesota captain Tyler Sheehy.
A night after the Gophers gave up a goal on the very first shift, Michigan’s Brendan Warren scored on the second. Josh Norris wasted no time on a Jake Slaker pass to beat Eric Schierhorn on the power play.
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Saturday, January 13, 2018
Game Story: Minnesota falls to Michigan (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- Fourteen seconds into Friday’s game, the Gophers trailed Michigan.
Playing catch-up at home from the opening shot to the final minute, No. 9 Minnesota fell to the Wolverines 5-3 and extended a four-game conference losing streak. The Gophers are 1-7-1 in their last nine Big Ten conference games.
“We don’t want to start the game the first shift and get scored on,” said Brannon McManus, one of three Gopher freshmen forwards to score on Friday. “We have to start fast and obviously we didn’t. It set up behind a little bit.”
Minnesota (13-11-1, 4-8-1-1 Big Ten) did have a chance to tie the game with 41.4 seconds remaining on a power play. Setting up for an offensive zone faceoff, the Gophers — having already used their timeout on a failed offsides challenge — could not control the puck.
Michigan’s Brendan Warren took advantage to get the puck and easily scored on an empty net, turnovers and struggling defensemen bookending Minnesota’s night.
Playing catch-up at home from the opening shot to the final minute, No. 9 Minnesota fell to the Wolverines 5-3 and extended a four-game conference losing streak. The Gophers are 1-7-1 in their last nine Big Ten conference games.
“We don’t want to start the game the first shift and get scored on,” said Brannon McManus, one of three Gopher freshmen forwards to score on Friday. “We have to start fast and obviously we didn’t. It set up behind a little bit.”
Minnesota (13-11-1, 4-8-1-1 Big Ten) did have a chance to tie the game with 41.4 seconds remaining on a power play. Setting up for an offensive zone faceoff, the Gophers — having already used their timeout on a failed offsides challenge — could not control the puck.
Michigan’s Brendan Warren took advantage to get the puck and easily scored on an empty net, turnovers and struggling defensemen bookending Minnesota’s night.
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Thursday, January 11, 2018
Game Story: Shorthanded goal leads Gophers over Huskies (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- Once again, Minnesota held off a Huskies third period comeback at Ridder Arena.
Cara Piazza’s shorthanded breakaway goal with 16.9 seconds remaining in the second period ended up being enough for the Gophers in a 2-1 victory over its in-state neighbor. Junior Julia Tylke scored for St. Cloud State (5-15-2, 3-11-2-0 WCHA), which fell one goal short against Minnesota (16-5-2, 10-4-2-0 WCHA) for the second straight game between the two teams.
“That was a huge momentum thing for us to get up by two. We were pushing hard in the second period. Nothing was going in,” said Gophers head coach Brad Frost about Piazza’s goal. “Then all of the sudden to catch a break and a real nice shot on a breakaway.”
While both teams are WCHA members, Tuesday’s contest was officially a nonconference affair.
Each had holes in the schedule following North Dakota dropping women’s hockey in March. The Gophers and Huskies already played a two-game series earlier in the season in Minneapolis with the two teams set for another next month in St. Cloud. Despite losing all three, St. Cloud State was more competitive as the games went along.
“Every year I’ve been playing we’ve been getting a lot better. I’ve gone from being on a team that lost 12-0 and now it’s a one-goal game. It’s a huge growth for the program,” said Tylke. “We’re for sure just right there to finish it off.”
Cara Piazza’s shorthanded breakaway goal with 16.9 seconds remaining in the second period ended up being enough for the Gophers in a 2-1 victory over its in-state neighbor. Junior Julia Tylke scored for St. Cloud State (5-15-2, 3-11-2-0 WCHA), which fell one goal short against Minnesota (16-5-2, 10-4-2-0 WCHA) for the second straight game between the two teams.
“That was a huge momentum thing for us to get up by two. We were pushing hard in the second period. Nothing was going in,” said Gophers head coach Brad Frost about Piazza’s goal. “Then all of the sudden to catch a break and a real nice shot on a breakaway.”
While both teams are WCHA members, Tuesday’s contest was officially a nonconference affair.
Each had holes in the schedule following North Dakota dropping women’s hockey in March. The Gophers and Huskies already played a two-game series earlier in the season in Minneapolis with the two teams set for another next month in St. Cloud. Despite losing all three, St. Cloud State was more competitive as the games went along.
“Every year I’ve been playing we’ve been getting a lot better. I’ve gone from being on a team that lost 12-0 and now it’s a one-goal game. It’s a huge growth for the program,” said Tylke. “We’re for sure just right there to finish it off.”
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Monday, January 8, 2018
Game Story: Minnesota shuts out top-ranked St. Cloud State (Zone Coverage)
MINNEAPOLIS- A day after leaving St. Cloud with a loss and praise for the top-ranked Huskies, Minnesota rebounded Sunday with a 2-0 home shutout win in Minneapolis.
The Gophers defeated the No. 1 team in the USCHO poll for the first time since beating Boston College 8-1 on December 30, 2012.
Sophomore goaltender Mat Robson made 34 saves to earn his first career shutout and salvage a series split. He bested St. Cloud State David Hrenak in a goaltending battle where each seemed to one-up the other as both teams traded chances.
“Both goalies were outstanding today. That was a heck of a duel people were able to watch,” said SCSU head coach Bob Motzko, whose team’s nine-game unbeaten streak came to an end.
Darian Romanko’s early third period goal proved to be the difference when a potential St. Cloud State (13-3-3, 7-2-1-1 NCHC) tally by Mikey Eyssimont was waved off by the officials following a five minute delay with multiple reviews.
The Gophers defeated the No. 1 team in the USCHO poll for the first time since beating Boston College 8-1 on December 30, 2012.
Sophomore goaltender Mat Robson made 34 saves to earn his first career shutout and salvage a series split. He bested St. Cloud State David Hrenak in a goaltending battle where each seemed to one-up the other as both teams traded chances.
“Both goalies were outstanding today. That was a heck of a duel people were able to watch,” said SCSU head coach Bob Motzko, whose team’s nine-game unbeaten streak came to an end.
Darian Romanko’s early third period goal proved to be the difference when a potential St. Cloud State (13-3-3, 7-2-1-1 NCHC) tally by Mikey Eyssimont was waved off by the officials following a five minute delay with multiple reviews.
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