University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, October 8
3M Arena at Mariucci
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
1-0-0
7
vs
4
Mercyhurst
0-1-0
1
2
3
F
Mercyhurst
0
2
2
4
Minnesota
2
1
4
7
Photo by: Bruce Kluckhohn
Minnesota Opens Season with 7-4 Win
10/8/2021 10:19:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Minnesota is now 62-37-2 in 101 all-time home openers.
MINNEAPOLIS – Twelve Gophers tallied points as the No. 4 Minnesota men's hockey team opened its 101st season of competition with a 7-4 win over Mercyhurst on Friday night.
With fans back in attendance at 3M Arena at Mariucci, the Gophers (1-0-0 overall, 0-0-0-0-0 Big Ten) were led by three-point performances from Blake McLaughlin (one goal, two assists) and Ben Meyers (three assists) while Matthew Knies scored his first two collegiate goals for the Maroon & Gold.
Minnesota opened the night with a pair of power-play goals in the first period from Bryce Brodzinski and Mason Nevers before Mercyhurst (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic Hockey) tied up the season opener in the second period. Ryan Johnson reclaimed the lead late in the second before the Maroon & Gold exploded in the third period with two goals from Knies and one each from McLaughlin and Sammy Walker.
Jack LaFontaine (1-0-0) earned the win for the Gophers with a 21-save performance in his first action since being named the 2021 Mike Richter Award winner.
Minnesota held a 46-25 advantage in shots on goal while going 2-for-5 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Coach's Comments
"It was great to have people back in the building, and the student section was awesome," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "The guys were so fired up – that was a great feeling and much needed for all of college hockey."
Noteworthy
Minnesota is now 62-37-2 in 101 all-time home openers, 19-8-2 in home openers at 3M Arena at Mariucci and 4-0-0 in home openers under Bob Motzko…In addition to Knies' two goals, Tristan Broz and Chaz Lucius each tallied their first collegiate points with assists for Minnesota.
Up Next: Saturday Series Finale
Minnesota and Mercyhurst conclude this weekend's series at 3M Arena at Mariucci on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 5:00 p.m. CT (TV: Bally Sports North; Radio 1130 KTLK/103.5 FM; Stream: B1G+).
With fans back in attendance at 3M Arena at Mariucci, the Gophers (1-0-0 overall, 0-0-0-0-0 Big Ten) were led by three-point performances from Blake McLaughlin (one goal, two assists) and Ben Meyers (three assists) while Matthew Knies scored his first two collegiate goals for the Maroon & Gold.
Minnesota opened the night with a pair of power-play goals in the first period from Bryce Brodzinski and Mason Nevers before Mercyhurst (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic Hockey) tied up the season opener in the second period. Ryan Johnson reclaimed the lead late in the second before the Maroon & Gold exploded in the third period with two goals from Knies and one each from McLaughlin and Sammy Walker.
Jack LaFontaine (1-0-0) earned the win for the Gophers with a 21-save performance in his first action since being named the 2021 Mike Richter Award winner.
Minnesota held a 46-25 advantage in shots on goal while going 2-for-5 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Coach's Comments
"It was great to have people back in the building, and the student section was awesome," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "The guys were so fired up – that was a great feeling and much needed for all of college hockey."
Noteworthy
Minnesota is now 62-37-2 in 101 all-time home openers, 19-8-2 in home openers at 3M Arena at Mariucci and 4-0-0 in home openers under Bob Motzko…In addition to Knies' two goals, Tristan Broz and Chaz Lucius each tallied their first collegiate points with assists for Minnesota.
Up Next: Saturday Series Finale
Minnesota and Mercyhurst conclude this weekend's series at 3M Arena at Mariucci on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 5:00 p.m. CT (TV: Bally Sports North; Radio 1130 KTLK/103.5 FM; Stream: B1G+).
Team Stats
MHU
UMN
Shots
25
46
PPG
1
2
SHG
0
0
Penalties
7
4
Penalty Mins
14
8
Faceoffs Won
24
43
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
2
A
2
+/-
2
Goals
0
Sh
5
A
3
+/-
1
Goals
2
Sh
7
A
0
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
1
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's HockeyForward
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