University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, October 7
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Minnesota State
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Photo by: Molly Kaiser
Gophers Set for In-State Battle in Home-and-Home Series
10/6/2022 10:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Friday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci; Saturday in Mankato
MINNEAPOLIS - Coming off a successful sweep opening weekend, the No. 2-ranked Golden Gophers men's hockey team is back in action Oct. 7-8 with a home-and-home series against No. 5 Minnesota State. Game one of the action gets underway from inside 3M Arena at Mariucci Friday night at 7 p.m. live on Bally Sports North, B1G+ and the Gopher Radio Network.
Minnesota will be hosting a pre-game tailgate party on the lawn outside 3M Arena at Mariucci in conjunction with the women's hockey game versus Bemidji State. Join the fun Friday night between 5-7 p.m and those with a ticket to the men's game can attend the women's game at 6 p.m. for free by showing their ticket at the Ridder Arena entrance before heading over to watch the men play at 7.
The series finale is set for 6 p.m. at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato, Minn., for the Mavericks' home opener. Listen to the game live on the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM / AM-1130.
GOT THE JOB DONE
The Gophers got goals from eight different players during a series sweep of Lindenwood during the opening week of college hockey at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The home side picked up a 4-0 shutout of the Lions, who made their NCAA debut Saturday, and added a 6-4 victory Sunday for a perfect start to the season.
FIRST STAR, FIRST WEEK
Behind a four-point opening weekend, Gophers' freshman Logan Cooley earned Big Ten First Star of the Week honors. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native shined against Lindenwood scoring both of his goals in game one on the backhand, setup brilliantly by linemate Rhett Pitlick. The freshman earned his first point for the Maroon and Gold with a power-play assist on the game-winning goal by Jaxon Nelson Saturday.
HISTORY WITH THE MAVERICKS
The Gophers hold a 38-18-6 all-time record against Minnesota State, the preseason favorites in the CCHA, dating back to the first meeting in 1998. However, the Mavericks have won seven of the last eight in the series with the last two coming in the NCAA Tournament where MSU has claimed both matchups, including a 5-1 decision during the 2022 NCAA Frozen Four in Boston on the way to a runner-up finish.
TAKING THE MAN ADVANTAGE
Through two games this season, the Maroon and Gold have registered four power-play goals burying two in each contest for a 33.3 percent conversion rate. The game-winning goals in both games came on the man advantage off the sticks of seniors Jaxon Nelson and Bryce Brodzinski.
CLOSE UP
After Justen Close took over the starting goaltending job in January, he flourished in the new role. He backstopped the Gophers to an 11-2 record down the stretch, including a nine-game winning streak, and has picked up where he left off in 2022-23. The senior put together a 16-save shutout in his first game of the year Saturday against Lindenwood. Close turned in one of the best seasons in Minnesota history a year ago as his goals against average of 1.95 ranks third in single-season history, while he boasted a .925 save percentage that sits fourth in Gophers' single-season history. He was named to the Mike Richter Award Watch List for the best goaltender in the nation and was an NCAA All-Regional Team and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Team selection.
OPENING POINTS
With 11 freshmen on the roster, Minnesota will rely on this class of newcomers to contribute in every aspect and the season-opening series showcased that production. Logan Cooley led the way with points in each game for a Gophers-best four points, while Connor Kurth and Brody Lamb each scored their first collegiate goals Sunday. Ryan Chesley posted an assist in both outings and Garrett Pinoniemi and Luke Mittelstadt also put their names on the scoresheet tallying a helper in the series finale.
SCORING TREND CONTINUES FOR KNIES
Matthew Knies put his versatility on display versus the Lions netting a goal in each contest extending his goal scoring streak to six games, dating back to last season. The Phoenix, Ariz., native redirected a pass into the top corner on the power play of the first period this year and added another deflection tally Sunday. After recording a point-per-game a season ago, Knies has kept that going in 2022-23 with three points in two games.
OFFENSE FROM THE BLUE LINE
Knowing it could rely on its defensive corps as leaders on the team, that notion became even more important Sunday as the blue line accounted for eight of the team's 16 points in a 6-4 win over Lindenwood. Brock Faber (1 G, 2 A, 3 PT) and Mike Koster (1 G, 1 A, 2 PT) combined for five points on the day and Ryan Chesley, Jackson LaCombe and Luke Mittelstadt each added an assist. The veteran-laden group scored two of the final three goals for the Maroon and Gold securing the come-from-behind win.
LOCALLY SOURCED
Holding the moniker of the State of Hockey, Minnesota is known for its strong history of players that start skating on local ice sheets and backyard ponds. That has fed a deep pipeline of talent to colleges around the country, most importantly to the University of Minnesota. The Gophers' roster heading into the season features a collection of 26 student-athletes, 20 of which were born and raised within the state lines. Even more impressive is the fact that 16 of the Minnesotans on the team are from within 40 miles of campus.
WHEN YOU CALLED MY NAME
Fourteen of Minnesota's 26 rostered players have heard their name called in the NHL Entry Draft, six of which are part of this year's freshmen class. The Gophers have had the most all-time draft selections (227) by any NCAA men's hockey program after adding four in July 2022, including two first-round picks as Logan Cooley (No. 3 overall) and Jimmy Snuggerud (No. 27 overall) were selected by the Arizona Coyotes and St. Louis Blues, respectively. At least one Gopher has been drafted in 48 of the last 49 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception.
Minnesota will be hosting a pre-game tailgate party on the lawn outside 3M Arena at Mariucci in conjunction with the women's hockey game versus Bemidji State. Join the fun Friday night between 5-7 p.m and those with a ticket to the men's game can attend the women's game at 6 p.m. for free by showing their ticket at the Ridder Arena entrance before heading over to watch the men play at 7.
The series finale is set for 6 p.m. at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato, Minn., for the Mavericks' home opener. Listen to the game live on the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM / AM-1130.
GOT THE JOB DONE
The Gophers got goals from eight different players during a series sweep of Lindenwood during the opening week of college hockey at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The home side picked up a 4-0 shutout of the Lions, who made their NCAA debut Saturday, and added a 6-4 victory Sunday for a perfect start to the season.
FIRST STAR, FIRST WEEK
Behind a four-point opening weekend, Gophers' freshman Logan Cooley earned Big Ten First Star of the Week honors. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native shined against Lindenwood scoring both of his goals in game one on the backhand, setup brilliantly by linemate Rhett Pitlick. The freshman earned his first point for the Maroon and Gold with a power-play assist on the game-winning goal by Jaxon Nelson Saturday.
HISTORY WITH THE MAVERICKS
The Gophers hold a 38-18-6 all-time record against Minnesota State, the preseason favorites in the CCHA, dating back to the first meeting in 1998. However, the Mavericks have won seven of the last eight in the series with the last two coming in the NCAA Tournament where MSU has claimed both matchups, including a 5-1 decision during the 2022 NCAA Frozen Four in Boston on the way to a runner-up finish.
TAKING THE MAN ADVANTAGE
Through two games this season, the Maroon and Gold have registered four power-play goals burying two in each contest for a 33.3 percent conversion rate. The game-winning goals in both games came on the man advantage off the sticks of seniors Jaxon Nelson and Bryce Brodzinski.
CLOSE UP
After Justen Close took over the starting goaltending job in January, he flourished in the new role. He backstopped the Gophers to an 11-2 record down the stretch, including a nine-game winning streak, and has picked up where he left off in 2022-23. The senior put together a 16-save shutout in his first game of the year Saturday against Lindenwood. Close turned in one of the best seasons in Minnesota history a year ago as his goals against average of 1.95 ranks third in single-season history, while he boasted a .925 save percentage that sits fourth in Gophers' single-season history. He was named to the Mike Richter Award Watch List for the best goaltender in the nation and was an NCAA All-Regional Team and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Team selection.
OPENING POINTS
With 11 freshmen on the roster, Minnesota will rely on this class of newcomers to contribute in every aspect and the season-opening series showcased that production. Logan Cooley led the way with points in each game for a Gophers-best four points, while Connor Kurth and Brody Lamb each scored their first collegiate goals Sunday. Ryan Chesley posted an assist in both outings and Garrett Pinoniemi and Luke Mittelstadt also put their names on the scoresheet tallying a helper in the series finale.
SCORING TREND CONTINUES FOR KNIES
Matthew Knies put his versatility on display versus the Lions netting a goal in each contest extending his goal scoring streak to six games, dating back to last season. The Phoenix, Ariz., native redirected a pass into the top corner on the power play of the first period this year and added another deflection tally Sunday. After recording a point-per-game a season ago, Knies has kept that going in 2022-23 with three points in two games.
OFFENSE FROM THE BLUE LINE
Knowing it could rely on its defensive corps as leaders on the team, that notion became even more important Sunday as the blue line accounted for eight of the team's 16 points in a 6-4 win over Lindenwood. Brock Faber (1 G, 2 A, 3 PT) and Mike Koster (1 G, 1 A, 2 PT) combined for five points on the day and Ryan Chesley, Jackson LaCombe and Luke Mittelstadt each added an assist. The veteran-laden group scored two of the final three goals for the Maroon and Gold securing the come-from-behind win.
LOCALLY SOURCED
Holding the moniker of the State of Hockey, Minnesota is known for its strong history of players that start skating on local ice sheets and backyard ponds. That has fed a deep pipeline of talent to colleges around the country, most importantly to the University of Minnesota. The Gophers' roster heading into the season features a collection of 26 student-athletes, 20 of which were born and raised within the state lines. Even more impressive is the fact that 16 of the Minnesotans on the team are from within 40 miles of campus.
WHEN YOU CALLED MY NAME
Fourteen of Minnesota's 26 rostered players have heard their name called in the NHL Entry Draft, six of which are part of this year's freshmen class. The Gophers have had the most all-time draft selections (227) by any NCAA men's hockey program after adding four in July 2022, including two first-round picks as Logan Cooley (No. 3 overall) and Jimmy Snuggerud (No. 27 overall) were selected by the Arizona Coyotes and St. Louis Blues, respectively. At least one Gopher has been drafted in 48 of the last 49 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception.
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