University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Wisconsin
Lettieri Scores Twice in `U' Loss
2/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- Vinni Lettieri scored a pair of goals including one in the opening minute, but it wasn't enough as the No. 4 Gopher Hockey program moved into a tie for first in the Big Ten with a 3-2 loss to No. 19 Wisconsin on Friday night at Mariucci Arena.
The Gophers (20-9-2 overall, 11-4-0-0 Big Ten) struck just 28 seconds into to the contest when Lettieri batted in his 16th of the year off a feed from Taylor Cammarata and Jake Bischoff.
The lead would hold through the first, but the Badgers (18-10-1, 11-4-0-0) rallied off three-straight goals in the second before weathering a Gophers flurry in the third period. Trent Frederic tied the contest with an even-strength goal at 3:42 before a shorthanded tally from Aidan Cavallini at 7:22 and a power-play goal from Ryan Wagner at 19:04.
Adding insult to injury, Minnesota appeared to reclaim the lead before Wisconsin's shorthanded goal but a review showed that Rem Pitlick's attempt rolled down the goal line without crossing it, and the momentum quickly shifted in favor of the visitors.
Lettieri added his career-high 17th goal of the year at 11:52 when the senior blasted a one-timer off Wisconsin goalie Jack Berry's glove and in to cut the lead to one midway through the third. Ryan Collins and Leon Bristedt earned assists on the goal.
The Gophers continued to pepper Wisconsin until the final buzzer -- outshooting the Badgers 38-18 overall and 18-7 in the third -- but the visitors held on to snap Minnesota's six-game home winning streak.
Eric Schierhorn made 15 saves in net for Minnesota, moving to 20-9-2 on the year.
The Maroon & Gold close out the Border Battle on Saturday at 7 p.m. contest against Wisconsin at Mariucci Arena (FOX Sports North PLUS, 1500 ESPN). Tickets for the 2016-17 season are available at MyGopherSports.com or by calling 1-800-U-Gopher.
-Pride on Ice-
