Author: Chris Eckes

After a blistering start and an early 1-0 lead, the Gophers somehow found a way to lose one of the most inexplicable games in its storied history.

Minneapolis, MN – Coming off a four-game losing streak, the Gophers needed to get right fast. A home sweep is just what the doctor ordered.

Grand Forks, ND – Max Rud’s first career goal early in the 3rd was the game-winner as the Minnesota Gophers (2-3-1 Overall) exploded for three more goals in the final period to split the weekend series with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks (3-1-0), handing first year head coach Dane Jackson his first loss as bench boss for UND.

Grand Forks, ND – In Friday’s much-anticipated heavyweight bout between two old rivals, it was the home team that landed the late punches to send the crowd away happy.

Rekindling a historic rivalry, the Minnesota Gophers (1-3-1 Overall) dropped a 5-2 contest against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks (3-0-0) in front of a packed Ralph Engelstad Arena crowd of 11,634 hockey fans.

Fargo, ND – It’s an age-old tradition that the referees “swallow the whistle” in the 3rd period and overtime, in an effort to not influence the outcome of the game too much.

In Minnesota’s opening NCAA match, it was that lack of calls that factored in the UMass overtime victory.

Immediately after a blatant trip on a rushing Ryan Chesley, UMass turned the puck back up the ice and scored on the ensuing rush, moving on to the regional final and burying the Minnesota Gophers in a weird, wild, ultimately infuriating 5-4 game.

Minneapolis, MN – The good news: the Gophers will carry a high seed into the NCAA tournament.

The bad news: they may now carry some additional baggage with them.

After a letdown Friday and an exhilarating third period comeback Saturday, the Minnesota Gophers (25-10-4 Overall (1-4 OT)) put forth a disappointing effort Sunday to lose to last place Notre Dame (12-24-1 (2-2)) by a 4-1 score to crash out of the Big Ten playoffs.

Minneapolis, MN – Seeking his 600th career coaching victory, Jeff Jackson’s last-place Notre Dame squad needed a lot to go their way to steal a game against the Big Ten co-champion Gophers.