Four-Goal First Propels Gophers to 7-5 Victory over Duluth

Duluth, MN – Behind a relentless offensive attack and seven goals from seven different players, the Minnesota Gophers (2-1-0 Overall (0-1 OT)) drubbed the Duluth Bulldogs (1-3-0 (0-1)) by a 7-5 final score.

Minnesota picked up where they left off last weekend versus the Omaha Mavericks, but they decided to actually put the puck in the net at Amsoil Arena Friday night. The first period featured 23 Gopher shots compared to 4 for the home Bulldogs, with goals from Brodie Ziemer, Brody Lamb, Matthew Wood, and Sam Rinzel to give Minnesota a commanding 4-0 lead after the first.

Duluth had a push in the second and third, and actually outscored the Gophers from there on out 5-4, but the four-goal lead was too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. The teams traded goals in the second period, with Aaron Huglen netting his first of the season for Minnesota to send it into the 3rd with a 5-1 Minnesota lead.

Duluth made it interesting in the third period, scoring the next two goals in the first 13 minutes of the period to draw within two at 5-3. The Gophers pushed back, with Oliver Moore and Erik Pahlsson scoring goals within 30 seconds of each other to build the Minnesota lead back up to four with less than five minutes left. UMD scored two more in the dying minutes of the game, but it was not enough to truly threaten, and the game ended with a 7-5 final score.

Nathan Airey was between the pipes for Minnesota in this one, winning his second game in as many starts. Airey made 17 saves on 22 UMD shots, but had a few funny bounces go against him in this one. Bulldog goalie Adam Gajan was under fire all game, and acquitted himself pretty well despite the crooked number on the scoreboard. Gajan allowed 7 goals on 49 total Minnesota shots.

The only other disappointing stat on the night for Minnesota was the faceoffs. The Gophers won just 35% of the faceoffs on the night, going 27-50 overall. Amazing how much Minnesota controlled the play despite getting thrashed at the dot.

The win was Minnesota’s first victory over Duluth at Amsoil arena since 2011. The Gophers are averaging an eye-popping 45.3 shots on goal per game over their three games so far. The team will go for the road sweep Saturday evening.