University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Ohio State University
Gophers Fall in First-Half Finale
12/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio (GopherSports.com) - A late Ohio State score proved the difference for the second-straight night as the Buckeyes defeated the Gopher Hockey program 4-1 on Saturday with the home team adding a pair of empty net goals in the closing moments of the game to claim the Big Ten Conference series victory.
Sophomore Mat Robson made his debut between the pipes for the Maroon & Gold, taking over for junior Eric Schierhorn, who had previously made 94 consecutive starts for Minnesota (10-9-1, 4-7-1-1 Big Ten), the fourth-longest such streak in NCAA history. The Buckeyes tested Robson early as Ohio State held a 14-8 lead in shots after one while also taking a 1-0 lead to the locker room when Mason Jobst lifted a puck over Robson's right shoulder at the 16:54 mark.
The Gophers' offense came alive in the second period, out-shooting Ohio State 13-3 in the frame. Brent Gates Jr. received a bit of puck luck as Minnesota scored coming out of a power play when his pass attempt ricocheted off the skate of a Buckeye defender and just inside the near post before Sean Romeo could close the gap, scoring his sixth goal of the year. Casey Mittelstadt and Steve Johnson earned the assists on the play as the two teams were knotted at a goal apiece after one.
Despite the Gophers continuing to set the pace in the third while out-shooting Ohio State 13-9 in the period and 34-26 in the game, the Buckeyes' Matt Miller broke up the tie, ripping a shot from just inside the blue line at the 14:47 mark of the third which proved the game-winner. Minnesota pulled Robson with 1:17 remaining for an extra attacker, but Ohio State scored twice in the closing moments to finish off the series sweep.
Robson ended his first career start with 22 saves and just the pair of goals allowed. Romeo stopped 33 pucks for the Buckeyes (10-4-4, 5-4-1-0) . Jobst finished with two goals and an assist to pace Ohio State offensively, tapping in the second of two empty-net scores
Minnesota will return to its home ice in 20 nights, taking a break from game action over the next few weeks for final exams and the holidays. The Price on Ice will host Army West Point in a non-conference series Friday-Saturday, Dec. 29-30 at 3M Arena at Mariucci, beginning just after 7:00 p.m. each night. Single-game tickets, season tickets and flexible Pick-Your-Packs are currently available at GopherSports.com, by calling 1-800-U-Gopher or by stopping by the ticket office at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
