University of Minnesota Athletics
Season Ends at the Frozen Four
4/7/2022 10:34:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Minnesota dropped a 5-1 decision to Minnesota State in the national semifinals
The University of Minnesota men's hockey team fell to Minnesota State on Thursday night by a score of 5-1 in a national semifinal in the Men's Frozen Four at TD Garden in Boston, Mass.
The Gophers, who were skating in their 22nd NCAA Frozen Four, ended their season with a 26-13-0 overall record. Minnesota State improved to 38-5-0 and will face Denver in the national championship game on Saturday.
On Thursday, Matthew Knies scored Minnesota's lone goal while Justen Close made 26 saves in defeat.
Minnesota struck first – on its first shot of the game – with a two-on-zero breakaway goal from Knies. The freshman, who has five goals in his last four games, played catch with Bryce Brodzinski as the two skated unabated from the blueline in. Brodzinski forced a Maverick turnover before entering the zone to set up the scoring opportunity. He then zipped a pass to Knies, who passed it back to Brodzinski who quickly slid it back to Knies before the Phoenix, Ariz., made it 1-0 scoring into a nearly empty net.
Minnesota State leveled the score at 1-1 just over seven minutes into the second period. Benton Maass skated behind the Minnesota net and beat Close on a wraparound before the Gopher goaltender could extend his left leg.
The Mavericks took a 2-1 lead with 6:29 remaining in the second period after Reggie Lutz collected a loose puck behind the Minnesota net and beat Close on another wraparound goal. Minnesota pressured late in the final three minutes of the period, but was unable to find the tying goal as it headed to the room down one.
Minnesota State grabbed a 3-1 lead just 1:57 into the final frame when a Jack McNeely point shot was deflected past Close by Ondrej Pavel. David Silye scored Minnesota State's fourth goal late in the third period and Brendan Furry added an empty-net goal to win 5-1.
Brock Faber and Ryan Johnson led Minnesota with three shots. The Gophers were outshot by the Mavericks 32-17 in a game that featured zero penalties.
The Gophers, who were skating in their 22nd NCAA Frozen Four, ended their season with a 26-13-0 overall record. Minnesota State improved to 38-5-0 and will face Denver in the national championship game on Saturday.
On Thursday, Matthew Knies scored Minnesota's lone goal while Justen Close made 26 saves in defeat.
Minnesota struck first – on its first shot of the game – with a two-on-zero breakaway goal from Knies. The freshman, who has five goals in his last four games, played catch with Bryce Brodzinski as the two skated unabated from the blueline in. Brodzinski forced a Maverick turnover before entering the zone to set up the scoring opportunity. He then zipped a pass to Knies, who passed it back to Brodzinski who quickly slid it back to Knies before the Phoenix, Ariz., made it 1-0 scoring into a nearly empty net.
Minnesota State leveled the score at 1-1 just over seven minutes into the second period. Benton Maass skated behind the Minnesota net and beat Close on a wraparound before the Gopher goaltender could extend his left leg.
The Mavericks took a 2-1 lead with 6:29 remaining in the second period after Reggie Lutz collected a loose puck behind the Minnesota net and beat Close on another wraparound goal. Minnesota pressured late in the final three minutes of the period, but was unable to find the tying goal as it headed to the room down one.
Minnesota State grabbed a 3-1 lead just 1:57 into the final frame when a Jack McNeely point shot was deflected past Close by Ondrej Pavel. David Silye scored Minnesota State's fourth goal late in the third period and Brendan Furry added an empty-net goal to win 5-1.
Brock Faber and Ryan Johnson led Minnesota with three shots. The Gophers were outshot by the Mavericks 32-17 in a game that featured zero penalties.
Team Stats
MIN
MSU
Shots
17
32
PPG
0
0
SHG
0
0
Penalties
0
0
Penalty Mins
0
0
Faceoffs Won
20
27
Game Leaders
Skaters
Players Mentioned
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