Feb. 12th, 2022: Gophers “we have what we need” in the sweep over the Ohio State Buckeyes.
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With the departure of three of their best players off in China for the Olympics, some considered the Gophers’ chances to make a run in the Big Ten standings improbable. Yet for the first time this year, the Gophers have won four in a row. Sweeping both Big Ten teams in Michigan State and now Ohio State.
The phrase on the chalkboard of the Gophers locker room, ‘we have what we need’ continues to travel with them wherever they go. The Gophers four-game winning streak couldn’t come at a better time. Since the Olympians left the Gophers were set to end the season with huge games against Big Ten opponents. If you look at this team now, you would never have guessed this team was missing one of their best defenders and their top two scorers, as they continue to roll by Big Ten top teams.
One ‘freshman sensation’ leaves and another steps up, that’s what good depth teams have and the Gophers are an example of that. Rhett Pitlick scored two goals in the 5-1 win over Ohio State. He now has three goals and four assists for seven points in his last four games and one would imagine Pitlick may be bringing home a Big Ten star of the week with his two goals and two assists on the weekend.
One top defenseman leaves and another steps up. Jackson LaCombe quietly has posted four assists in four games since Faber left for the Olympics. It is no question LaCombe started the year on the wrong foot with only one point in his first seven games. But it was more than just points, LaCombe and other Gophers’ defensemen were turning the puck over consistently, resulting in costly chances and goals for their opponents. But in LaCombe’s last ten games he holds one goal and nine assists for ten points.
One could even argue, one captain leaves and another steps up. Or one star goalie leaves and another star goaltender steps up. But that’s been the Gophers lately, to some it’s adversity that will knock this team out of contention but to the Gophers it’s “we have all that we need.”
Starting the first period on a high note as the Gophers scored three to take a 3-1 lead into the second period. Blake McLaughlin posted a goal and an assist for his 98th and 99th career points as the power play cashed in on Mason Nevers’ goal. Their first goal came on the heels of McLaughlin only 45 seconds after the puck was dropped.
You already know Blake doesn't like to waste time 💪 pic.twitter.com/uUYnctreRk
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) February 12, 2022
Later Tate Singleton got the lone goal for the Buckeyes after a turnover right in front of Justen Close. What looked to be a pass by one of the Gophers’ defenders, landed right on the stick of Singleton who buried his ninth of the year. The Gophers blocked 18 shots in the game and made life easier for Close who finished with 29 saves as he improved to 7-3-0 as the team’s starter.
“I think we played a great team game. We knew how good they are in transition and shut it down,” said Close.
Sammy Walker added his 12th of the year in the later stages of the first period of the feed from Mclaughlin for Blakes’ 99th career point. Bryce Brodzinski picked up his second assist of the period on the play as well, giving him 11 assists and 22 points in 30 games this year.
Rhett Pitlick scored his second goal of the year after a successful penalty kill by the Gophers early in the second period. Aaron Huglen picked up his second assist of the series and his fifth point in his last four games. The goal came off a neutral zone takeaway by Pitlick. Mike Koster corralled the pass from Pitlick who fed one over to LaCombe. The Buckeyes got caught in transition as LaCombe found Huglen bursting up the middle for a 2-on-1. Huglen sauced it over the stick of Buckeyes’ defender Grant Gabriele right to Pitlick who ripped it blocker side making it 4-1.
Pitlick continued to stay hot as he scored his second of the game in the third period chasing Hobey Baker finalist Jakub Dobes from the net. After a rush chance for the Buckeyes, Ohio caught themselves with four of their five skaters attacking Carl Fish and Jackson LaCombe in the Gophers defensive zone. Quinn Preston’s pass to Joe Dunlap was broken up by Fish. The reigning Big Ten third star of the week found Pitlick up the middle. With Huglen on the ride side for support, Pitlick ripped it five-hole past Dobes giving Minnesota a 5-1 lead.
The Gophers outshot the Buckeyes 50-30 as Minnesota improved to 19-11-0 overall and 14-6-0 in the Big Ten. The win moved the Gophers ahead of Ohio State, who entered the weekend atop the conference standings.
“It was a pretty solid effort out of our group again tonight, just up and down the lineup,” Gophers coach Bob Motzko said. “There are a couple of key things that can hurt you on the road and our penalty kill was strong and Justen Close was strong. He made a couple of real key saves when Ohio State could’ve gotten back into the game. Getting the lead on the road, again, was monster.”
The Gophers will be hoping to get Jaxon Nelson back as they close out their road schedule next weekend with a series against the Big Ten rivals Penn State. Nelson is moving around without his crutches anymore and should be back very shortly.