Gophers Snap Losing Skid With Notre Dame Weekend Sweep
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.
The Minnesota Gophers (4-7-1 Overall, 2-2-0-0 B1G) never trailed over the weekend, beating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-6-1, 0-4-0-0) by 3-0 and 4-1 final scores to earn their first sweep of the 2025-2026 season. Luca Di Pasquo started both games between the pipes for Minnesota, picking up his first shutout in the Maroon & Gold.
Friday night’s contest was tight throughout. Minnesota broke a scoreless tie in the second period when Erik Pahlsson skated the puck around the net and fed a lurking Beckett Hendrickson on the far side. Hendrickson hit the open net to give the Gophers the only goal they’d need. Minnesota tacked on two empty net goals (from Brody Lamb and John Whipple) to salt the game away. Di Pasquo was solid between the pipes, making several key saves but mostly benefitting from the stellar defense of the team in front of him en route to his first Gopher shutout, stopping all 19 shots he faced in the victory.
Di Pasquo got the nod again Saturday night, and was impressive in the crease for Minnesota once again. The Gophers scored the first goal of the game again Saturday – this time it was Jimmy Clark winning a board battle to create a turnover and find a streaking Brody Lamb in the slot. Lamb’s quick shot beat ND goalie Nicholas Kempf top corner to put Minnesota up just 3:37 into the first period.
Notre Dame tied Saturday’s contest in the second period when Michael Mastrodomenico’s wrist shot from the top of the left circle found its way past Di Pasquo. The shot was the only one to get past Di Pasquo all weekend.
The Gophers broke the game open late in the 2nd, with quick-succession goals by Luke Mittelstadt (on the power play) and Jimmy Clark to put Minnesota up 3-1 heading into the third period. The Gophers looked confident with the lead in the final frame, and added another insurance goal at 13:48 of the period when LJ Mooney scored on a breakaway, putting the final nail in the Irish coffin.
The wins were important ones for Minnesota, who look to get back to their winning ways after a tough first month of the year. Up next, the Gophers host Long Island University for a weekend series. It will be the first time that Minnesota and LIU will square off.
