University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, October 24
3M Arena at Mariucci
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
2-4-1
0
vs
3
Minnesota Duluth
6-1-0
1
2
3
F
Minn. Duluth
2
0
1
3
Minnesota
0
0
0
0
Team Stats
UMD
MIN
Shots
24
17
PPG
1
0
SHG
0
0
Penalties
2
3
Penalty Mins
4
6
Faceoffs Won
26
26
Game Leaders
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
0
+/-
-1
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
0
+/-
-2
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
0
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's HockeyDefense
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Photo by: Brady Paitrick
Gophers Shutout by Bulldogs Friday
10/24/2025 10:00:00 PM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 12 Golden Gophers men's hockey team suffered a 3-0 setback during an in-state battle against the Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth Friday night from 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Minnesota (2-4-1 overall, 0-0-0 B1G) gave up a pair of first-period goals and the Bulldogs (6-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 NCHC) locked down defensively to secure the series-opening win.
The Gophers opened with strong energy, establishing an aggressive forecheck and creating early zone time. LJ Mooney and Jimmy Clark each generated quality looks as the home side pressed for the first goal.
Momentum shifted midway through the period when UMD capitalized on a seeing-eye shot from just inside the blue line at the 6:59 mark to make it 1-0. Moments later, Minnesota was whistled for a slashing penalty, and the Bulldogs doubled their lead on the ensuing man advantage that carried to intermission.
The middle stanza settled into a defensive battle as neither team was able to create high-quality chances. The Bulldogs earned a power play in the middle of the period, but Minnesota goaltender Luca Di Pasquo denied multiple looks, including a highlight-reel, stick save sliding across the crease.
Seconds after returning to even strength, the Gophers drew a post-whistle penalty and went to work on their first man advantage of the night. The home side could not find the back of the net and for the fourth time in seven outings this year, faced a deficit heading into the final period, this time a 2-0 margin.
UMD extended its lead 2:23 into the third period, chipping in a loose puck at the side of the net. Minnesota drew a power play 90 seconds later only to have the opportunity negated on a penalty of its own and the teams skated 4-on-4.
Holding the three-goal advantage, the Bulldogs were able to sit back and clog up the neutral zone and made zone entry difficult for the Gophers. Minnesota was unable to break through and dropped the series opener, 3-0.
Noteworthy
Minnesota was shutout for the first time since Jan. 7, 2023, at St. Cloud State, a span of 104-straight games with at least one goal, and suffered its first home shutout since Mar. 6, 2020, against Notre Dame in game one of a Big Ten Conference Tournament Quarterfinal ... The Gophers went 0-for-2 on the power play Friday, while UMD went 1-for-3 ... The faceoff battle ended with each team winning 26 draws apiece ... Tanner Ludtke won a team-high nine faceoffs for Minnesota, while John Mittelstadt won 5-of-6 in the circle ... Di Pasquo closed the night by making 21 saves ... John Whipple and Luke Mittelstadt, two of the NCAA's top shot blockers, each blocked four in the series opener and the team totaled 12.
Coach Motzko's Comments
"We played a really good first four minutes, but the next 56 were not very good for us," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "We couldn't score a goal and get the effort to make it more exciting for the fans and get this thing going."
Next Up: Home vs. Minnesota Duluth (Oct. 25)
Minnesota goes for the series split against the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Saturday night with live television coverage on FOX9+ and streaming via B1G+ with Jim Rich and Eric Schierhorn on the call. Wally Shaver and Tanner Hoops will provide commentary on the Gopher Radio Network.
Minnesota (2-4-1 overall, 0-0-0 B1G) gave up a pair of first-period goals and the Bulldogs (6-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 NCHC) locked down defensively to secure the series-opening win.
The Gophers opened with strong energy, establishing an aggressive forecheck and creating early zone time. LJ Mooney and Jimmy Clark each generated quality looks as the home side pressed for the first goal.
Momentum shifted midway through the period when UMD capitalized on a seeing-eye shot from just inside the blue line at the 6:59 mark to make it 1-0. Moments later, Minnesota was whistled for a slashing penalty, and the Bulldogs doubled their lead on the ensuing man advantage that carried to intermission.
The middle stanza settled into a defensive battle as neither team was able to create high-quality chances. The Bulldogs earned a power play in the middle of the period, but Minnesota goaltender Luca Di Pasquo denied multiple looks, including a highlight-reel, stick save sliding across the crease.
Seconds after returning to even strength, the Gophers drew a post-whistle penalty and went to work on their first man advantage of the night. The home side could not find the back of the net and for the fourth time in seven outings this year, faced a deficit heading into the final period, this time a 2-0 margin.
UMD extended its lead 2:23 into the third period, chipping in a loose puck at the side of the net. Minnesota drew a power play 90 seconds later only to have the opportunity negated on a penalty of its own and the teams skated 4-on-4.
Holding the three-goal advantage, the Bulldogs were able to sit back and clog up the neutral zone and made zone entry difficult for the Gophers. Minnesota was unable to break through and dropped the series opener, 3-0.
Noteworthy
Minnesota was shutout for the first time since Jan. 7, 2023, at St. Cloud State, a span of 104-straight games with at least one goal, and suffered its first home shutout since Mar. 6, 2020, against Notre Dame in game one of a Big Ten Conference Tournament Quarterfinal ... The Gophers went 0-for-2 on the power play Friday, while UMD went 1-for-3 ... The faceoff battle ended with each team winning 26 draws apiece ... Tanner Ludtke won a team-high nine faceoffs for Minnesota, while John Mittelstadt won 5-of-6 in the circle ... Di Pasquo closed the night by making 21 saves ... John Whipple and Luke Mittelstadt, two of the NCAA's top shot blockers, each blocked four in the series opener and the team totaled 12.
Coach Motzko's Comments
"We played a really good first four minutes, but the next 56 were not very good for us," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "We couldn't score a goal and get the effort to make it more exciting for the fans and get this thing going."
Next Up: Home vs. Minnesota Duluth (Oct. 25)
Minnesota goes for the series split against the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Saturday night with live television coverage on FOX9+ and streaming via B1G+ with Jim Rich and Eric Schierhorn on the call. Wally Shaver and Tanner Hoops will provide commentary on the Gopher Radio Network.
Highlights: Gophers 1, UMD 4
Saturday, October 25
Highlights: Gophers 0, UMD 3
Friday, October 24
Highlights: Gophers 5, North Dakota 1
Saturday, October 18
Highlights: Gophers 2, North Dakota 5
Friday, October 17