University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, December 4
Ann Arbor, MI
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
10-8-0, 6-4-0
2
at
6
Michigan
13-5-0, 6-4-0
1
2
3
F
Minnesota
1
0
1
2
Michigan
3
3
0
6
Photo by: Jonathan Knight
Gophers Fall in First Half Finale
12/4/2021 10:30:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Justen Close made a career-high 17 saves in a relief appearance for the Gophers.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Minnesota's four-game winning streak and eight-game unbeaten streak at Yost Ice Arena came to an end on Saturday night as the No. 11/12 Gophers fell to No. 3/2 Michigan 6-2.Â
The road loss was the first by Minnesota (10-8-0 overall, 6-4-0-0-1-0) at Yost Ice Arena since Nov. 10, 2017.Â
The Gophers opened the night's scoring with Bryce Brodzinski's team-leading ninth goal of the year in the first period and ended the night's scoring with a tally late in the third period from Grant Cruikshank. Blake McLaughlin assisted on both goals while Ryan Johnson and Jackson LaCombe also picked up assists.Â
Unfortunately, Michigan (13-5-0, 6-4-0-1-2-0) potted six goals in between the two Minnesota tallies. Michael Pastujov recorded a natural hat trick for the Wolverines while Mark Estapa, Jay Keranen and Nolan Moyle each contributed a goal.Â
Justen Close made his second appearance of the season in goal for the Gophers over the last 26:22 of action with the junior making a career-high 17 saves on 18 shots. Jack LaFontaine took the loss for Minnesota with 17 saves on 26 shots – the first time the goaltender has allowed more than one goal against in five games at Yost Ice Arena as a member of the Gophers. Erik Portillo made 21 saves on 23 shots for the win.Â
The Gophers were outshot 44-33 on the night (a season high for shots against) while neither team was successful on the power play (Minnesota was 0-for-4, Michigan was 0-for-2).Â
Coach's Comments
"Michigan responded, and we didn't have a response," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "The game got behind us, and we chased it all night long."
Noteworthy
Saturday's loss snapped a 14-game winning streak for the Gophers when playing on Big Ten Network since the start of the 2020-21 season.
Up Next: Winter Break
Minnesota has concluded the first half of the 2021-22 schedule and will return to action following the winter break. Â
Â
The road loss was the first by Minnesota (10-8-0 overall, 6-4-0-0-1-0) at Yost Ice Arena since Nov. 10, 2017.Â
The Gophers opened the night's scoring with Bryce Brodzinski's team-leading ninth goal of the year in the first period and ended the night's scoring with a tally late in the third period from Grant Cruikshank. Blake McLaughlin assisted on both goals while Ryan Johnson and Jackson LaCombe also picked up assists.Â
Unfortunately, Michigan (13-5-0, 6-4-0-1-2-0) potted six goals in between the two Minnesota tallies. Michael Pastujov recorded a natural hat trick for the Wolverines while Mark Estapa, Jay Keranen and Nolan Moyle each contributed a goal.Â
Justen Close made his second appearance of the season in goal for the Gophers over the last 26:22 of action with the junior making a career-high 17 saves on 18 shots. Jack LaFontaine took the loss for Minnesota with 17 saves on 26 shots – the first time the goaltender has allowed more than one goal against in five games at Yost Ice Arena as a member of the Gophers. Erik Portillo made 21 saves on 23 shots for the win.Â
The Gophers were outshot 44-33 on the night (a season high for shots against) while neither team was successful on the power play (Minnesota was 0-for-4, Michigan was 0-for-2).Â
Coach's Comments
"Michigan responded, and we didn't have a response," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "The game got behind us, and we chased it all night long."
Noteworthy
Saturday's loss snapped a 14-game winning streak for the Gophers when playing on Big Ten Network since the start of the 2020-21 season.
Up Next: Winter Break
Minnesota has concluded the first half of the 2021-22 schedule and will return to action following the winter break. Â
Â
Team Stats
MIN
MIC
Shots
23
44
PPG
0
0
SHG
0
1
Penalties
3
5
Penalty Mins
6
10
Faceoffs Won
24
29
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
1
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
0
+/-
-2
Goals
1
Sh
1
A
0
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
3
A
1
+/-
-1
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
1
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's HockeyDefense
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's HockeyForward
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