Gophers Settle for a Tie, Penn State Takes Extra Point in Shootout
Javon Moore provides the offense, but Minnesota can’t find the game winner in a 1-1 tie at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers opened Big Ten play Friday night with a frustrating 1-1 tie against Penn State at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The Gophers controlled much of the action early, outshot the Nittany Lions 36-29 and dominated the overtime period, but Penn State goaltender Josh Fleming kept Minnesota from finding the game winner before his team eventually claimed the extra conference point in a shootout.
Minnesota came out with plenty of energy and got on the scoreboard first at the 7:33 mark of the opening period. Javon Moore found himself in the right place at the right time, redirecting a shot through Fleming after a blocked attempt created a scramble in front of the Penn State net. Christian Humphreys and Tarin Smith picked up assists on Moore’s first goal of the season.
The Gophers continued to apply pressure throughout the opening period, outshooting Penn State 15-6. Fleming was already being called upon to make several important stops to keep the Nittany Lions within striking distance.
But as the game wore on, Minnesota’s inability to turn its early chances into a bigger lead began to take its toll. Head coach Brett Larson felt the frustration started to creep into his team’s game as the scoring opportunities went unanswered.
I felt like we were playing so well for 30 minutes that when the pucks weren’t going in for us, we just kind of got frustrated and got off our game
BRett LArson
Minnesota carried its 1-0 advantage into the second period and continued to generate opportunities, but couldn’t solve Fleming. Penn State gradually found its footing and began creating more chances of its own. Luca Di Pasquo and the Minnesota penalty kill kept the visitors off the scoreboard through the second period.
The game remained 1-0 heading into the third, but Penn State finally broke through at 9:03. Justin Larose kept the puck alive along the blue line in the offensive zone before finding Justin Poirier, who snapped a shot past Di Pasquo from the left faceoff circle to even the game.
Minnesota had opportunities to regain the lead, but the Nittany Lions continued to hang around. Fleming turned aside everything the Gophers sent his way, and Penn State successfully killed all four Minnesota power plays on the night.
The game headed to overtime tied at one, and Minnesota had its best opportunity to end things in the extra session. The Gophers controlled possession in the 3 on 3 overtime, outshooting Penn State 5-0. However, Fleming came up with five more saves to force a shootout.
The shootout provided little separation until the fifth round. Both teams converted once through the first four rounds, with Reese Laubach scoring for Penn State and LJ Mooney answering for Minnesota.
Dane Dowiak then gave Penn State the advantage in the fifth round, lifting a backhand over Di Pasquo after the Gopher goaltender attempted a poke check. The goal was initially waved off but awarded following video review. Christian Humphreys needed to score to keep Minnesota alive, but Fleming made the final stop to secure the extra point for the Nittany Lions.
Fleming finished with 35 saves on 36 shots, while Di Pasquo stopped 28 of 29 for Minnesota. The Gophers finished 0-for-4 on the power play, while Penn State went 0-for-1.
Minnesota will have a chance to bounce back Saturday night when the two teams meet again at Mariucci Arena. The Gophers will be looking to turn Friday’s offensive pressure into a few more goals and collect a full three points in the weekend series.