Mooney’s OT Thriller Lifts Gophers Past Penn State

Minnesota pulls back three Penn State leads before LJ Mooney delivers the game-winner just 17 seconds into overtime.

Minneapolis, MN – Sometimes, the best response is simply to keep answering.

After a frustrating finish to Friday night’s series opener, the Gophers showed plenty of resilience Saturday, battling back from three separate deficits before LJ Mooney ended things in overtime with a spectacular individual effort to give Minnesota a 4-3 win over Penn State.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3-2, 1-0-1 Big Ten) and Penn State Nittany Lions (2-4-2, 0-1-1 Big Ten) traded goals throughout the first two periods, with neither team able to establish more than a one-goal advantage.

Penn State came out with a much better start than Friday night, opening the scoring just 1:21 into the contest. Jackson Smith helped create an odd-man rush the other direction, setting up Nolan Collins for the early 1-0 lead.

Minnesota responded a few minutes later when Tanner Ludtke scored his first goal of the season off a nice two-on-one pass by Tate Pritchard, beating Penn State goaltender Josh Fleming to even the score at one.

**Tanner Ludtke celebrates his first goal of the season. Photo by Craig Cotner.**

The Nittany Lions regained the lead at 14:49 when Marco Mignosa found the back of the net, but the Gophers had another answer. Christian Humphreys capitalized on a Penn State turnover, beating Fleming to tie the game at two heading into the first intermission.

Penn State grabbed its third lead of the night early in the second period when Dane Dowiak converted a rebound opportunity at the 3:25 mark. Once again, Minnesota refused to let the visitors get comfortable.

**Christian Humphreys with his 1st of 2 goals on the night. Photo by Craig Cotner**

Humphreys scored his second goal of the night just over three minutes later, blasting a back-door slapper off a feed from Axel Löfgren to even the game at three.

The teams traded chances through the remainder of the second period, with Minnesota eventually earning a lengthy power play after Mac Gadowsky was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for head contact. Penn State managed to kill off most of the advantage, carrying the tie into the third period.

Both teams had opportunities to take control in the final frame, but neither goaltender gave an inch. The third period featured relatively limited offensive opportunities, and the teams headed to overtime for the second consecutive night.

Unlike Friday, the extra session Saturday night didn’t last long.

The opening faceoff is always critical in three-on-three hockey, and Mooney made the most of the opportunity. After winning the draw, the freshman circled back and built up speed before attacking the Penn State defense. He stickhandled his way through the defenders and beat Fleming to send Mariucci into a frenzy just 17 seconds into the extra session.

It was a terrific individual effort from Mooney and a fitting finish to a game in which Minnesota repeatedly refused to back down.

After a disappointing second half Friday left the Gophers settling for a tie and watching Penn State take the extra conference point in the shootout, Saturday’s performance was a much-needed response. Minnesota showed the ability to weather adversity, find timely goals and finish the job when given the opportunity.

The Gophers won’t have much time to enjoy the win, as their difficult early-season schedule continues next weekend. Minnesota welcomes the likely-number-one Wisconsin Badgers to 3M Arena at Mariucci for a Thursday / Saturday series.

It will be another significant early-season test for first year coach Brett Larson and his team, but Saturday’s comeback victory should provide some confidence heading into a consequential Border Battle.

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