University of Minnesota Athletics
Top Line Leads Men's Hockey Past UMD 5-4
2/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Following a balanced first period, the Golden Gophers took a 1-0 lead on Garrett Smaagaard's rebound tally at 2:39 of the second period on a delayed penalty vs. UMD. Riddle added the first of his two goals on a rebound from Koalska at 15:38.
The Bulldogs responded with a flurry to finish the period. Jon Francisco scored on a cross-crease pass from Marco Peluso just 22 seconds following Riddle's goal. With time winding down, T.J. Caig knotted the game with just six seconds remaining.
Minnesota-Duluth carried the momentum into the third period as Peluso scored just 16 seconds in. Luke Stauffacher gave the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead at 7:00 as he scored on a 2-on-1 with a wrist shot that went five-hole on Travis Weber.
This time it was Minnesota that responded quickly. Matt DeMarchi brought the puck behind the UMD goal and Vanek picked it up and scored on the wraparound at 7:42. Following a hooking penalty on UMD's Steve Czech, the Golden Gophers tied the game as Koalska's wrister from the dot was slapped home by Riddle.
With time winding down, Vanek capped off the night as he took the drop pass from Koalska and he beat Isaac Reichmuth at 16:29.
UMD pulled Reichmuth at 19:20, but the Bulldogs were unable to get the equalizer.
Weber finished with 23 saves as Minnesota captured its fourth win in a row. Reichmuth had 24 saves.
With three points, Vanek is now the WCHA's leading rookie scorer with 15-15-30. He ranks second in the nation with 24-24-48.
