University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, February 25
3M Arena at Mariucci
8:00 PM
University of Minnesota
22-11-0, 17-6-0
5
vs
0
Wisconsin
9-21-3, 6-16-1
1
2
3
F
Wisconsin
0
0
0
0
Minnesota
1
1
3
5
Photo by: Matt Krohn
Meyers, Close Lead Gophers to 5-0 Win in Border Battle Opener
2/25/2022 11:26:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Ben Meyers tallied his first hat trick while Justen Close earned his first shutout.
MINNEAPOLIS – It was a night of firsts for the No. 4 Gophers men's hockey program as Minnesota opened this weekend's Border Battle series with a 5-0 win over Wisconsin at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Ben Meyers notched his first career hat trick.
Justen Close recorded his first career shutout.
And the Maroon & Gold jumped into first place in the Big Ten Conference heading into Saturday's regular-season finale.
Meyers led the way for Minnesota (22-11-0 overall, 17-6-0-1-2-0 Big Ten) with a three-point performance for the second game in a row. The junior captain and Hobey Baker Award candidate scored three times in the third period for a natural hat trick while also winning 14-of-17 faceoffs. He now leads Minnesota with 14 goals and 32 points this season – both statistics are career highs for the forward.
Jonny Sorenson and Jaxon Nelson also scored for the Gophers while Mason Nevers, Jackson LaCombe and Mike Koster each notched a pair of assists.
Sorenson opened the night with his fourth of the year in the first period – scoring on Minnesota's first shot of goal of the night. Meanwhile, Nelson tallied his fifth of the year with a power-play goal in the second period as the junior returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with an injury.
Close stopped all 20 shots he saw to improve to 10-3-0 on the season. The junior has allowed a goal or less in four of the last six games while he has surrendered two or less in six of the last seven. Jared Moe made 39 saves in net for Wisconsin (9-21-3, 6-16-1-1-2-0).
Minnesota held a 44-20 advantage in shots while winning nearly 70 percent of the game's faceoffs (43-of-62).
Noteworthy
In the 301st Border Battle meeting, Minnesota improved to 177-100-24 all-time against Wisconsin…the Gophers have won a season-best seven-straight games…the Gophers now sit one point ahead of Michigan ahead of the final games of the regular season on Saturday.
Coach's Comments
"(Justen) earned it tonight," Minnesota Head Coach Bob Motzko said. "He had to make a couple critical saves early in the game, and then our guys played in front of him in the third period. It was a great night for him."
Next Up: Senior Celebration on Saturday
The Gophers close out the regular-season against Wisconsin on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. CT (TV: Big Ten Network; Stream; FOX Sports App; Radio: 1130 KTLK/103.5 FM). Minnesota will honor its senior class following the game.
Ben Meyers notched his first career hat trick.
Justen Close recorded his first career shutout.
And the Maroon & Gold jumped into first place in the Big Ten Conference heading into Saturday's regular-season finale.
Meyers led the way for Minnesota (22-11-0 overall, 17-6-0-1-2-0 Big Ten) with a three-point performance for the second game in a row. The junior captain and Hobey Baker Award candidate scored three times in the third period for a natural hat trick while also winning 14-of-17 faceoffs. He now leads Minnesota with 14 goals and 32 points this season – both statistics are career highs for the forward.
Jonny Sorenson and Jaxon Nelson also scored for the Gophers while Mason Nevers, Jackson LaCombe and Mike Koster each notched a pair of assists.
Sorenson opened the night with his fourth of the year in the first period – scoring on Minnesota's first shot of goal of the night. Meanwhile, Nelson tallied his fifth of the year with a power-play goal in the second period as the junior returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with an injury.
Close stopped all 20 shots he saw to improve to 10-3-0 on the season. The junior has allowed a goal or less in four of the last six games while he has surrendered two or less in six of the last seven. Jared Moe made 39 saves in net for Wisconsin (9-21-3, 6-16-1-1-2-0).
Minnesota held a 44-20 advantage in shots while winning nearly 70 percent of the game's faceoffs (43-of-62).
Noteworthy
In the 301st Border Battle meeting, Minnesota improved to 177-100-24 all-time against Wisconsin…the Gophers have won a season-best seven-straight games…the Gophers now sit one point ahead of Michigan ahead of the final games of the regular season on Saturday.
Coach's Comments
"(Justen) earned it tonight," Minnesota Head Coach Bob Motzko said. "He had to make a couple critical saves early in the game, and then our guys played in front of him in the third period. It was a great night for him."
Next Up: Senior Celebration on Saturday
The Gophers close out the regular-season against Wisconsin on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. CT (TV: Big Ten Network; Stream; FOX Sports App; Radio: 1130 KTLK/103.5 FM). Minnesota will honor its senior class following the game.
Team Stats
WIS
UMN
Shots
20
44
PPG
0
1
SHG
0
0
Penalties
3
2
Penalty Mins
6
4
Faceoffs Won
19
43
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
3
Goals
3
Sh
7
A
0
+/-
2
Goals
0
Sh
3
A
2
+/-
3
Goals
0
Sh
1
A
2
+/-
2
Goals
0
Sh
1
A
2
Players Mentioned
Goaltender
/ Men's HockeyDefense
/ Men's HockeyDefense
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule
Monday, August 11
Herb Brooks Statue
Wednesday, August 06
Meet the Newcomers: Teddy Townsend
Friday, July 18
Meet The Newcomers: Jacob Rombach
Friday, July 11