University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, January 14
3M Arena at Mariucci
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
13-8-0
4
vs
1
Alaska
5-15-1
1
2
3
F
Alas. Fairbanks
0
1
0
1
Minnesota
2
0
2
4
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Close Earns 4-1 Win in First Start
1/14/2022 9:03:00 PM | Men's Hockey
The Gophers improved to 4-1-1 all-time against Alaska with Friday's win.
MINNEAPOLIS – Justen Close picked up the win in his first career start for the No. 8 Gopher men's hockey team as Minnesota topped Alaska 4-1 on Friday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Tristan Broz, Matthew Knies, Blake McLaughlin and Jackson LaCombe scored for the Maroon & Gold while Ben Brinkman matched his career high with three assists in the victory.
After a hectic week for Minnesota (13-8-0 overall, 8-4-0-0-1-0 Big Ten), the Gophers started the weekend on a high note as its junior goaltender stopped 14 of 15 shots faced in his first regular-season start. Close, who backstopped both of last week's exhibition wins for the Gophers, improved to 1-0-0 in his career after making six regular-season relief appearances previously. Gustavs Davis Grigals took the loss for Alaska with 22 saves to fall to 5-12-1 on the year.
The night even started with a high note as Broz lit the lamp for the first time as a Gopher to open the contest at 13:53 of the first period. Grant Cruikshank and Mike Koster set up the tally while Knies added to the lead with his eighth of the year at 18:54 of the opening stanza when he was set up by Ben Meyers and Brinkman.
Alaska (5-15-1) cut into the lead in the second with a power-play goal from Payton Matsui at 6:51.
The Gophers would replicate their two-goal performance from the opening period in the final segment. McLaughlin found the net for the sixth time this year at 14:45 as Brinkman earned his second assist of the night, and Sammy Walker earned his 100th career point with the secondary assist. Brinkman then completed the three-point night when he set up LaCombe for the long-range empty-net goal at 15:26 to seal the win.
Minnesota held a 26-15 advantage on shots while going 4-for-5 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play.
Noteworthy
Minnesota's active leading scorer, Walker is the 85th Gopher to score 100-career points and the first to do so since Rem Pitlick in 2018-19…the 'U' improved to 4-1-1 all-time against the Nanooks.
Coach's Comments
"Great for Justen to play a whole game," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "Three of the last five times we've suited up, he's played and we've got three wins. He's getting more comfortable and confident. And away we go."
Next Up: Alaska Comes to Town
Minnesota closes out its nonconference schedule on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 6:00 p.m. CT against Alaska (TV: Bally Sports North; Stream: B1G+/FOX Sports Go; Radio: 1130 KTLK/103.5 FM).
Tristan Broz, Matthew Knies, Blake McLaughlin and Jackson LaCombe scored for the Maroon & Gold while Ben Brinkman matched his career high with three assists in the victory.
After a hectic week for Minnesota (13-8-0 overall, 8-4-0-0-1-0 Big Ten), the Gophers started the weekend on a high note as its junior goaltender stopped 14 of 15 shots faced in his first regular-season start. Close, who backstopped both of last week's exhibition wins for the Gophers, improved to 1-0-0 in his career after making six regular-season relief appearances previously. Gustavs Davis Grigals took the loss for Alaska with 22 saves to fall to 5-12-1 on the year.
The night even started with a high note as Broz lit the lamp for the first time as a Gopher to open the contest at 13:53 of the first period. Grant Cruikshank and Mike Koster set up the tally while Knies added to the lead with his eighth of the year at 18:54 of the opening stanza when he was set up by Ben Meyers and Brinkman.
Alaska (5-15-1) cut into the lead in the second with a power-play goal from Payton Matsui at 6:51.
The Gophers would replicate their two-goal performance from the opening period in the final segment. McLaughlin found the net for the sixth time this year at 14:45 as Brinkman earned his second assist of the night, and Sammy Walker earned his 100th career point with the secondary assist. Brinkman then completed the three-point night when he set up LaCombe for the long-range empty-net goal at 15:26 to seal the win.
Minnesota held a 26-15 advantage on shots while going 4-for-5 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play.
Noteworthy
Minnesota's active leading scorer, Walker is the 85th Gopher to score 100-career points and the first to do so since Rem Pitlick in 2018-19…the 'U' improved to 4-1-1 all-time against the Nanooks.
Coach's Comments
"Great for Justen to play a whole game," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "Three of the last five times we've suited up, he's played and we've got three wins. He's getting more comfortable and confident. And away we go."
Next Up: Alaska Comes to Town
Minnesota closes out its nonconference schedule on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 6:00 p.m. CT against Alaska (TV: Bally Sports North; Stream: B1G+/FOX Sports Go; Radio: 1130 KTLK/103.5 FM).
Team Stats
ALA
MIN
Shots
15
26
PPG
1
0
SHG
0
0
Penalties
4
6
Penalty Mins
8
12
Faceoffs Won
17
26
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
2
Goals
0
Sh
0
A
3
+/-
4
Goals
1
Sh
4
A
0
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
0
+/-
1
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
0
Players Mentioned
Defense
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's HockeyDefense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule
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Herb Brooks Statue
Wednesday, August 06
Meet the Newcomers: Teddy Townsend
Friday, July 18
Meet The Newcomers: Jacob Rombach
Friday, July 11