University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, March 16
3M Arena at Mariucci
8:00 PM
University of Minnesota
22-10-5
1
vs
2
Michigan
21-13-3
1
2
3
F
Michigan
1
1
0
2
Minnesota
0
0
1
1
Team Stats
MIC
MIN
Shots
31
24
PPG
0
0
SHG
0
0
Penalties
1
1
Penalty Mins
2
2
Faceoffs Won
36
20
Game Leaders
+/-
0
Goals
1
Sh
2
A
0
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
4
A
1
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
1
A
1
+/-
1
Goals
0
Sh
3
A
0
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's HockeyDefense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's HockeyDefense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's HockeyForward
/ Men's Hockey
Photo by: Brad Rempel
'U' Falters in B1G Semifinals
3/16/2024 11:30:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Snuggerud scores late for Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 6 Minnesota men's hockey team scored late but could not overcome a two-goal deficit during a 2-1 loss to No. 11 Michigan Saturday night in the Big Ten Conference Tournament Semifinals from 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Jimmy Snuggerud pulled the Golden Gophers (22-10-5 overall) within a goal with 1:29 remaining in regulation before the Wolverines (21-13-3 overall) held on to win and advance to the B1G championship game, delivering Minnesota its first home loss in regulation since Jan. 7.
The home side had an early jump in front of its over-capacity crowd with quality chances from both Snuggerud and Ryan Chesley in the first 90 seconds of action. A tough bounce off Michigan's first shot attempt at the 3:12 mark led to a rebound goal for a 1-0 edge. The visitors appeared to make it 2-0 four minutes later, but a video challenge by the Gophers negated the goal as the Wolverines were offsides on the play. It was a back-and-forth battle the rest of the period and the Maroon and Gold maintained a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal, facing a one-goal deficit after 20 minutes.
Minnesota brought a renewed energy to the middle stanza before goaltender Justen Close delivered an important save following a scramble in the defensive zone. Michigan was gifted a power play less than five minutes into the frame before the Gophers erased the man advantage via blocked shots and perfect positioning. Close remained sharp between the pipes and turned away multiple chances from the Wolverines, all while taking a slash to the face. Late in the period, the home team was able to generate a sustained forecheck, leading to a chance from the slot off the stick of Jimmy Clark. With 1:24 before intermission, Michigan capitalized on an offensive-zone turnover and a slow line change, stretching the lead to 2-0.
The speed of Oliver Moore through the neutral zone drew the first penalty of the night against Michigan and gave the Gophers a power play 3:15 into the final frame. A sliding glove save from the visiting netminder robbed Aaron Huglen of a goal and the man advantage was killed off by the Wolverines. Minnesota continued to press, searching for the play needed to ignite the crowd and more importantly, the bench.
The Maroon and Gold finally broke through after pulling its goalie in the closing minutes. Jaxon Nelson won a faceoff in the attacking zone before Luke Mittelstadt and Chesley played catch along the blue line. Chesley pushed a pass over to Snuggerud at the right circle where the sophomore wired home a shot, giving Minnesota life with only 89 seconds to play. Michigan was able to hold off the final charge and claimed its spot in next week's title game, winning 2-1.
Fifth-year senior Bryce Brodzinski set a Minnesota program record Saturday as the Blaine, Minn., product skated in the 183rd game of his career, passing Larry Olimb (1988-92). Brodzinski has not missed a game since Jan. 30, 2021, playing in 129-straight contests.
Noteworthy
Snuggerud put away his team-leading 21st goal of the season, matching his season total from his freshman campaign, ranking 13th in the NCAA ... The Chaska, Minn., native has points in three-straight contests and a goal in three of his last six games ... Chesley posted the sixth assist of his sophomore year and just his second point since returning from the holiday break ... Mittelstadt recorded an assist for the fourth-consecutive outing and stretched his point streak to five games, tying his career long, which was set earlier this year ... Close made 29 saves Saturday with 16 of those coming in the second period ... Both teams were whistled for one penalty each ... The Gophers are now 14-10 all-time in the B1G Tournament and 5-4 in semifinal games ... Minnesota ends its regular season with a 22-10-5 record, including a 14-6-1 mark inside 3M Arena at Mariucci ... Saturday's announced attendance of 10,336 was the Gophers' seventh sellout of 2023-24.
Coach Motzko's Comments
"I didn't like us for big stretches tonight," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "The first five minutes, I thought we had a little pop and gave a goal up. Then we got back on our heels."
Next Up: NCAA Regionals (Mar. 28-31)
The Gophers turn their attention to NCAA Regionals as they await their postseason fate when selection Sunday rolls around Mar. 24.
Jimmy Snuggerud pulled the Golden Gophers (22-10-5 overall) within a goal with 1:29 remaining in regulation before the Wolverines (21-13-3 overall) held on to win and advance to the B1G championship game, delivering Minnesota its first home loss in regulation since Jan. 7.
The home side had an early jump in front of its over-capacity crowd with quality chances from both Snuggerud and Ryan Chesley in the first 90 seconds of action. A tough bounce off Michigan's first shot attempt at the 3:12 mark led to a rebound goal for a 1-0 edge. The visitors appeared to make it 2-0 four minutes later, but a video challenge by the Gophers negated the goal as the Wolverines were offsides on the play. It was a back-and-forth battle the rest of the period and the Maroon and Gold maintained a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal, facing a one-goal deficit after 20 minutes.
Minnesota brought a renewed energy to the middle stanza before goaltender Justen Close delivered an important save following a scramble in the defensive zone. Michigan was gifted a power play less than five minutes into the frame before the Gophers erased the man advantage via blocked shots and perfect positioning. Close remained sharp between the pipes and turned away multiple chances from the Wolverines, all while taking a slash to the face. Late in the period, the home team was able to generate a sustained forecheck, leading to a chance from the slot off the stick of Jimmy Clark. With 1:24 before intermission, Michigan capitalized on an offensive-zone turnover and a slow line change, stretching the lead to 2-0.
The speed of Oliver Moore through the neutral zone drew the first penalty of the night against Michigan and gave the Gophers a power play 3:15 into the final frame. A sliding glove save from the visiting netminder robbed Aaron Huglen of a goal and the man advantage was killed off by the Wolverines. Minnesota continued to press, searching for the play needed to ignite the crowd and more importantly, the bench.
The Maroon and Gold finally broke through after pulling its goalie in the closing minutes. Jaxon Nelson won a faceoff in the attacking zone before Luke Mittelstadt and Chesley played catch along the blue line. Chesley pushed a pass over to Snuggerud at the right circle where the sophomore wired home a shot, giving Minnesota life with only 89 seconds to play. Michigan was able to hold off the final charge and claimed its spot in next week's title game, winning 2-1.
Fifth-year senior Bryce Brodzinski set a Minnesota program record Saturday as the Blaine, Minn., product skated in the 183rd game of his career, passing Larry Olimb (1988-92). Brodzinski has not missed a game since Jan. 30, 2021, playing in 129-straight contests.
Noteworthy
Snuggerud put away his team-leading 21st goal of the season, matching his season total from his freshman campaign, ranking 13th in the NCAA ... The Chaska, Minn., native has points in three-straight contests and a goal in three of his last six games ... Chesley posted the sixth assist of his sophomore year and just his second point since returning from the holiday break ... Mittelstadt recorded an assist for the fourth-consecutive outing and stretched his point streak to five games, tying his career long, which was set earlier this year ... Close made 29 saves Saturday with 16 of those coming in the second period ... Both teams were whistled for one penalty each ... The Gophers are now 14-10 all-time in the B1G Tournament and 5-4 in semifinal games ... Minnesota ends its regular season with a 22-10-5 record, including a 14-6-1 mark inside 3M Arena at Mariucci ... Saturday's announced attendance of 10,336 was the Gophers' seventh sellout of 2023-24.
Coach Motzko's Comments
"I didn't like us for big stretches tonight," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "The first five minutes, I thought we had a little pop and gave a goal up. Then we got back on our heels."
Next Up: NCAA Regionals (Mar. 28-31)
The Gophers turn their attention to NCAA Regionals as they await their postseason fate when selection Sunday rolls around Mar. 24.
Highlights: Gophers 5, Ohio State 6
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Highlights: Gophers 6, Ohio State 3
Thursday, December 04
Highlights: Gophers 6, Denver 5
Saturday, November 29
Highlights: Gophers 1, Penn State 2
Saturday, November 22