The Minnesota Gophers hockey team kicked off their season with a significant 6-3 victory over Michigan Tech on Friday night. The game took place at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis. Although the Gophers struggled early in the match, they showcased their resilience in the final period.
Game Summary
At the end of the second period, Minnesota trailed the Huskies 3-2. This deficit came after Michigan Tech scored two quick goals within 69 seconds. However, the Gophers rebounded powerfully in the third period, outscoring their opponents 4-0.
Key Players
- Brodie Ziemer: Scored two goals.
- Tate Pritchard: Contributed one goal.
- Brody Lamb: Scored one goal and had one assist.
- Erik Pahlsson: Found the net once.
- Beckett Hendrickson: Scored and provided one assist.
- Jimmy Clark: Assisted twice.
- Luke Mittelstadt: Led with six shots on goal and one assist.
- Nathan Airey: Made 25 saves in goal despite allowing three goals.
Shooting Statistics
In terms of total shots, Michigan Tech outshot Minnesota 68-52. However, the Gophers were more effective in shots on goal, finishing with 34 compared to the Huskies’ 28. Minnesota’s defensive efforts included 21 blocked shots.
Women’s Team Victory
In parallel, the Minnesota women’s hockey team secured a 5-0 win over No. 13 Boston University, improving their record to 3-0 this season. Sophomore Abbey Murphy led the team with two goals, supported by freshman Bella Fanale and teammates Nelli Laitinen and Madison Kaiser, who also scored.
Goalie Performance
Hannah Clark recorded 24 saves, achieving her third career shutout. Head coach Brad Frost praised the team, stating, “Our start wasn’t great… thanks to some big saves by Hannah Clark. We found our game as we went, and I’m proud of this group.”
The Gophers look poised for a competitive season ahead, showing both offensive firepower and defensive strength in their recent performances.
