University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Rally for 2-2 Tie at Wisconsin
10/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Freshman Sam Lofquist scored his first career goal against his home-state team as the Minnesota men’s hockey team rallied for a 2-2 tie at Wisconsin on Friday at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
The Gophers trailed by two goals late in the second period, but came back to force their 13th overtime game in their last 25 contests. It was also their 10th game decided by one goal or less in their last 11 outings, dating to last season.
Lofquist, a Somerset, Wis. native playing in his second career game with the Gophers, scored with 3:29 left in the game. He chased after a loose puck in the slot and lofted a high shot into the back of the net for the goal. It came just seconds after after Lofquist nearly tied the game with an open look that sailed just high off the glass. Lofquist is the second player from Wisconsin to wear a Minnesota uniform joining current Boston Bruins’ forward Phil Kessel.
Minnesota held Wisconsin to just two shots in the third period and owned a 36-20 advantage for the game. The game was a penalty-marred contest with 21 combined penalties as Minnesota finished 0-for-10 on the power play, while Wisconsin was just one-for-nine. The Badgers had only five shots on their nine power plays.
Wisconsin opened the scoring at 8:31 on the first period when Podge Turnbull recorded a goal with assists from Tom Gorowsky and Patrick Johnson. It was the first time this season the Gophers did not score first after doing to in 30 of their 45 games last season as well.
The Gophers got into trouble with penalties in the second period, committing three infractions in a span of 39 seconds. Wisconsin took advantage with a four-on-three goal as Brendan Smith ripped a shot into the upper net over Alex Kangas for a 2-0 lead on an unassisted score at 7:05.
It took Minnesota nearly four minutes to kill of all the penalties, but they held Wisconsin to just two shots on its first six power play chances. The second period was especially penalty-filled as 12 penalties were called, including seven on the Gophers.
Minnesota rallied with a goal at 15:06 of the second period as Ryan Stoa tipped a shot in front of the net on a blast by Jay Barriball. Nico Sacchetti won a faceoff in the Badgers’ zone to Barriball, who turned and fired with Stoa in near the side of the net.
Alex Kangas finished with 18 saves for the Gophers, while Shane Connelly made 34 stops for Wisconsin, which picked up its first point of the season after losing its first four games. Minnesota is now 2-0-1 for the season in three league games. The teams meet again Saturday in Madison at 7 p.m.
