University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, October 12
Las Vegas, NV
9:30 PM
University of Minnesota
1-1-0
1
vs
2
Omaha
2-0-0
1
2
3
OT 1
F
Omaha
0
1
0
1
2
Minnesota
1
0
0
0
1
Team Stats
UNO
UMN
Shots
18
54
PPG
0
0
SHG
1
0
Penalties
3
1
Penalty Mins
6
2
Faceoffs Won
29
29
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
1
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
0
+/-
1
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
1
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
1
+/-
-2
Goals
0
Sh
9
A
0
Players Mentioned
Defense
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's HockeyDefense
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Photo by: Bjorn Franke
Gophers Drop Title Game, 2-1, in Overtime
10/12/2024 11:59:00 PM | Men's Hockey
'U' out-shoots Mavericks 54-18
LAS VEGAS - The No. 5 Golden Gophers men's hockey team was unable to hold onto a first-period lead against No. 15/16 Omaha in the championship game of the 2024 Ice Breaker Tournament, falling 2-1 in overtime from Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
Minnesota (1-1-0 overall) was all over the Mavericks (2-0-0 overall), putting more than 50 shots on the Omaha goal. The opposing netminder turned away all but one and was the difference maker in the contest before the Mavericks scored 54 seconds into the extra session for the non-conference win.
With an early-season championship trophy on the line, the Gophers had the jump on Omaha to begin the action, firing the game's first eight shots on target until a penalty halted play. The momentum didn't stop as Minnesota had the best chance on the penalty kill when Jimmy Snuggerud weaved through the defense and had his backhand shot turned aside. It was more than 10 minutes before the Mavericks were able to generate a shot on goal, while the Gophers had 15 at that point, but could not find the back of the net.
Mason Nevers finally broke through for the opening tally with 5:34 remaining in the first period as he jammed home a Sam Rinzel rebound at the top of the goal crease. August Falloon picked up the primary assist as his skate directed the puck to the stick of Nevers. Minnesota took the 1-0 advantage into intermission for the second time this weekend.
The Mavericks put pressure on the Gophers to start the second period and tested netminder Liam Souliere, who made his Maroon and Gold debut. The designated home team was on its heels but held off the attack of Omaha thanks to the graduate transfer in goal. Minnesota drew its first penalty of the night with eight minutes to play in the frame and came out of the media timeout ringing a shot off the post by Brody Lamb. It was the Mavericks that capitalized at the opposite end of the ice, forcing a turnover and scoring a shorthanded goal to pull even, 1-1. Despite a lopsided, 39-11 edge in shots for the Gophers, the game remained deadlocked through 40 minutes.
The pace of the third period stayed high as both teams put chances on target before Minnesota earned a power-play at the 6:04 mark. Omaha's goaltender robbed a Snuggerud one-timer with a glove save and the Gophers' man advantage was negated for the third time Saturday. Neither side was able to get the go-ahead tally, and the clock reached zero, sending the contest into overtime.
Oliver Moore nearly gave the Gophers the win in the extra period, but his backhand bid was saved at the left post. The Mavericks pushed up the ice and scored the winner from the right circle at the 54-second mark, claiming the title, 2-1.
2024 Ice Breaker All-Tournament Team
F: Connor Kurth, Minnesota
F: Cole O'Hara, UMass
F: Zach Urdahl, Omaha
D: Ryan Chesley, Minnesota
D: Sam Rinzel, Minnesota
G: Simon Latkoczy, Omaha (Most Outstanding Player)
Noteworthy
Fully healthy to start the year, Nevers scored his first goal in game two after not getting the first until his 18th game last season ... Falloon was inserted into the lineup for his college debut Saturday and made an immediate impact, recording an assist on the opening goal ... Rinzel picked up a point for the second-straight night with an assist and has two points this season ... Souliere finished his debut with Minnesota by stopping 16 shots ... Minnesota fired 54 shots on target for the night, reaching the 50 mark for the first time since a 4-2 win over Robert Morris on Jan. 12, 2024 ... The Gophers are now 9-3 in six all-time trips to the Ice Breaker Tournament.
Coach Motzko's Comments
"We had a really good first period, and we had a very strong third period. We got off our game a little bit in the second period and let some frustration show," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "The Omaha goaltender was outstanding tonight, and you got to give him credit because we threw everything at him, and he looked good. But, if I have a criticism, our special teams, our power play was not good tonight, and we gave up the shorthanded goal."
Next Up: Away at Minnesota Duluth (Oct. 18-19)
The Gophers remain on the road as they head to in-state rival Minnesota Duluth for a series at AMSOIL Arena Oct. 18-19. Fans can watch both games live on FOX9+ or tune in for an audio broadcast via the Gopher Radio Network.
Minnesota (1-1-0 overall) was all over the Mavericks (2-0-0 overall), putting more than 50 shots on the Omaha goal. The opposing netminder turned away all but one and was the difference maker in the contest before the Mavericks scored 54 seconds into the extra session for the non-conference win.
With an early-season championship trophy on the line, the Gophers had the jump on Omaha to begin the action, firing the game's first eight shots on target until a penalty halted play. The momentum didn't stop as Minnesota had the best chance on the penalty kill when Jimmy Snuggerud weaved through the defense and had his backhand shot turned aside. It was more than 10 minutes before the Mavericks were able to generate a shot on goal, while the Gophers had 15 at that point, but could not find the back of the net.
Mason Nevers finally broke through for the opening tally with 5:34 remaining in the first period as he jammed home a Sam Rinzel rebound at the top of the goal crease. August Falloon picked up the primary assist as his skate directed the puck to the stick of Nevers. Minnesota took the 1-0 advantage into intermission for the second time this weekend.
The Mavericks put pressure on the Gophers to start the second period and tested netminder Liam Souliere, who made his Maroon and Gold debut. The designated home team was on its heels but held off the attack of Omaha thanks to the graduate transfer in goal. Minnesota drew its first penalty of the night with eight minutes to play in the frame and came out of the media timeout ringing a shot off the post by Brody Lamb. It was the Mavericks that capitalized at the opposite end of the ice, forcing a turnover and scoring a shorthanded goal to pull even, 1-1. Despite a lopsided, 39-11 edge in shots for the Gophers, the game remained deadlocked through 40 minutes.
The pace of the third period stayed high as both teams put chances on target before Minnesota earned a power-play at the 6:04 mark. Omaha's goaltender robbed a Snuggerud one-timer with a glove save and the Gophers' man advantage was negated for the third time Saturday. Neither side was able to get the go-ahead tally, and the clock reached zero, sending the contest into overtime.
Oliver Moore nearly gave the Gophers the win in the extra period, but his backhand bid was saved at the left post. The Mavericks pushed up the ice and scored the winner from the right circle at the 54-second mark, claiming the title, 2-1.
2024 Ice Breaker All-Tournament Team
F: Connor Kurth, Minnesota
F: Cole O'Hara, UMass
F: Zach Urdahl, Omaha
D: Ryan Chesley, Minnesota
D: Sam Rinzel, Minnesota
G: Simon Latkoczy, Omaha (Most Outstanding Player)
Noteworthy
Fully healthy to start the year, Nevers scored his first goal in game two after not getting the first until his 18th game last season ... Falloon was inserted into the lineup for his college debut Saturday and made an immediate impact, recording an assist on the opening goal ... Rinzel picked up a point for the second-straight night with an assist and has two points this season ... Souliere finished his debut with Minnesota by stopping 16 shots ... Minnesota fired 54 shots on target for the night, reaching the 50 mark for the first time since a 4-2 win over Robert Morris on Jan. 12, 2024 ... The Gophers are now 9-3 in six all-time trips to the Ice Breaker Tournament.
Coach Motzko's Comments
"We had a really good first period, and we had a very strong third period. We got off our game a little bit in the second period and let some frustration show," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "The Omaha goaltender was outstanding tonight, and you got to give him credit because we threw everything at him, and he looked good. But, if I have a criticism, our special teams, our power play was not good tonight, and we gave up the shorthanded goal."
Next Up: Away at Minnesota Duluth (Oct. 18-19)
The Gophers remain on the road as they head to in-state rival Minnesota Duluth for a series at AMSOIL Arena Oct. 18-19. Fans can watch both games live on FOX9+ or tune in for an audio broadcast via the Gopher Radio Network.
2025-26 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