University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHERS COMPLETE SWEEP OF MAVERICKS WITH 4-2 VICTORY
11/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Mavericks opened the scoring at 4:18 of the first period on the power play on Joe Bourne's slap shot from the high slot that beat Golden Gopher freshman goaltender Justin Johnson high on the glove side. MSUM made the score 2-0 at 11:32 of the first period on Josh Kern's goal from the crease as Johnson lost the rebound to his left side with Kern on the spot to knock it in. Minnesota had numerous scoring chances late on the power play, including a two-man advantage that proved unsuccessful for the Golden Gophers.
It took until 3:19 of the second period for the Maroon and Gold to get on the board, but Matt Koalska capitalized on some nice assists from Judd Stevens and Troy Riddle just as Minnesota was coming off the power play. Koalska converted on the assists from low on the left circle, beating Volp high on the glove side.
A bit over eight minutes later, the Golden Gophers knotted the score at two on Jordan Leopold's wrist shot from the point that found its way through traffic to beat MSUM goaltender Jon Volp through the five-hole. Paul Martin was credited with the single assist on the marker. Minnesota peppered Volp in the period, outshooting the Mavericks 21-7.
Keith Ballard got the game-winning goal 5:46 into the third period with a wrist shot from the left circle that beat Volp in the five-hole. The puck was fed by a drop-back pass by Grant Potulny, with John Pohl also getting an assist. To secure the win at 19:48, Jeff Taffe shot from just inside the blue line into an empty net, with an assist from Paul Martin.
The Golden Gophers return to action against Minnesota- Duluth next weekend at Mariucci Arena.
