University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHERS FALL TO MAINE 5-3 IN SEASON OPENER
10/16/1999 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Minnesota opened the scoring at 3:19 of the first period when junior Erik Westrum, lying on his back, slid the puck past Black Bear goaltender Matt Yeats to give the Golden Gophers a quick 1-0 lead. But Maine struck back at 12:55 of the first period to send the teams to the lockeroom tied at 1.
Minnesota would again take the lead at the 9:16 mark of the second period when junior Aaron Miskovich slammed home a pass from junior Matt Leimbek to make the score 2-1. But the Black Bears would score three unanswered goals in a span of 4:38 to take a 4-2 at the end of the second period.
Westrum scored his second goal of the game, a short-handed marker, at 14:45 of the third period to pull the Maroon and Gold to within 4-3 with just over five minutes left in the game. But Maine would add an empty-net goal to finish the Golden Gophers hopes of making a comeback.
Minnesota faces off again against the Black Bears tomorrow at 3 p.m. The game can be seen on MSC or heard on KSTP AM 1500.
