Month: February 2023

Minneapolis, MN – As far as finales go, this one had everything: a two-goal deficit, physical play, exhilarating offensive chances, and a win on Senior Night. After giving up two 5-on-3 goals to Ohio State, the Minnesota Gophers (25-8-1 Overall (4-3 OT), 17-3-2-2 B1G) responded, scoring two goals in 13 seconds and adding three more to sweep the Buckeyes (18-13-3 (0-0), 11-11-1-1) in the final game of the regular season. The first period was defined […]

Minneapolis, MN – Even with “nothing to play for”, the Gophers sure look ready to play for it all. After a tense opening period, the Minnesota Gophers (24-8-1 Overall (4-3 OT), 16-3-2-2 B1G) took advantage of a parade to the penalty box to bury the Ohio State Buckeyes (18-12-3 (0-0), 11-10-1-1) 4-0 in Friday’s series opener. Ohio State boasts one of the Big Ten’s best defenses, with the nation’s best penalty kill and a great […]

State College, PA – One thing we all know about college hockey is that, no matter what happened in the first game of a series, the second game is always a batte. It’s a good thing for the Gophers that Matthew Knies is a warrior. The sophomore forward was electric all night, saving his best until it mattered most as he scored the game-tying goal in the final minute before netting the game-winner in overtime, […]

State College, PA – The hand-wringing from the Gopher faithful this week was almost audible. After a disappointing split in Madison, Minnesota fans were getting a little restless after learning that the team would be without defensemen Brock Faber and Ryan Chesley for at least a week. Many were wondering whether the team might let off the gas after “backing into” the Big Ten championship when Ohio State beat Michigan in a shootout Thursday night. […]

Madison, WI – With their first chance to win the Big Ten regular season championship, the Gophers dropped the ball. Despite an overall better effort Saturday night, the Minnesota Gophers (21-8-1 Overall (3-3 OT), 14-3-1-2 B1G) were beaten 3-1 by a rejuvinated-looking Wisconsin Badgers team (11-19-0 (1-0), 4-16). The loss means that the Gophers will have to wait at least one more weekend to attempt to claim the Big Ten regular season title. Minnesota’s Mike […]

Madison, WI – Usually, it’s Minnesota’s high-flying offense or all-time defensive corps that garners headlines for the #1 Gopher hockey team. Every once in a while, though, the goalie makes a few headlines of his own. Justen Close was brilliant Friday night when the rest of his team was subpar, making 21 saves in the first period alone (and 36 for the night) to lead the Minnesota Gophers (21-7-1 Overall (3-3 OT), 14-2-1-2 B1G) to […]