University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Come Within Seconds of Shutout in Exhibition Win
10/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Senior goaltender Brent Solei came within seconds of a shutout as Minnesota posted a 3-1 exhibition victory over the U.S. under-18 national development team on Saturday at Mariucci Arena.
Solei had a perfect night going until U.S. forward Sam Lofquist scored with 25.5 seconds left to ruin the shutout bid. It was the third career start for Solei all in exhibition games. He made 16 saves, including eight in the third period. The win was Minnesota’s 10th straight exhibition win and the Gophers are now 3-0 all-time against the U.S. under-18 squad.
Minnesota scored in the first period when Jay Barriball took a pass from Blake Wheeler and beat U.S. goalie Joe Cannata at the 9:36 mark of the period. The Gophers shut down the U.S. team in the opening period, holding a 10-2 advantage in shots.
Minnesota spent much of the second period on the power play, but had nothing to show for it. The Gophers were in a man-advantage situation for nearly half the period, including a five-minute major penalty early in the stanza. Minnesota did put 10 shots on goal during its power play chances and 13 for the period, but Cannata stopped them all and another hit the pipe to keep the U.S. team within one goal entering the third period. Six of Cannata’s saves came during the five-minute power play.
Solei came up with his best save of the night when U.S. forward Robbie Czarnik stole away a puck and had a breakaway chance. Solei gave up a rebound, but the second shot hit the side of the net.
The Gophers added two goals in the third period with the first coming from Cade Fairchild, who played with the U.S. Under-18 team last season. Fairchild took a pass from Wheeler and launched a long shot from just inside the blueline. David Fischer also assisted on the goal that came at the 3:32 mark.
Patrick White added the team’s third goal following up a rebound off a shot by Kevin Wehrs that was blocked. White’s first attempt was saved, but he stayed with the play to punch it past Cannata. Stu Bickel added an assist on the goal at 11:41 of the period.
Lofquist’s goal came when the U.S. team had its fourth power play of the night in the final two minutes of the game. Solei had a big save about 30 seconds before the goal. Minnesota was 0-for-5 on the power play with 12 shots. The Gophers held a 34-17 advantage in shots for the game.
Minnesota returns to Western Collegiate Hockey Association action on Friday when it hosts Denver at 7:05 p.m.
