Feb. 4th, 2022: Gophers extend their Friday win streak to seven with a comeback win over Michigan State.
–> Follow @Dylanloucks4 on Twitter
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – In the first game without the three Olympians, the Gophers were able to get goals from three of their four lines. With solid contributions from Jackson LaCombe, Carl Fish, and Mike Koster, you would have never been able to guess the Gophers were playing without Brock Faber.
The Gophers opened the game with a fast start. Two quick shots from Sammy Walker and Blake McLaughlin but Pierce Charleson stopped them both. A strong indicator of what was to come for the Spartans’ goaltender, as he finished with 36 saves on 40 shots.
“I thought their goalie was outstanding tonight,” said Gophers head coach Bob Motzko, who recorded his 350th career win. “We had some other changes that should’ve been goals and they didn’t get in there. But we’re really happy with our win tonight.”
Following a couple of good chances for the Gophers in the offensive zone, Jack Perbix carried the puck to the top of the blue line where it was eventually taken away by Christian Krygier. The New York Islanders’ draft pick rushed towards Close and roofed one to make it a 1-0 game on their second shot of the night.
Later, another offensive turnover led to a Michigan chance. Late on the backcheck, some Gophers decided to go off for a change which eventually led to a 2-on-1 for the Spartans. Jeremy Davidson made no mistake and cashed in on the pass from Erik Middendorf. Just like that, it was 2-0 Spartans.
“I don’t like starting the game off with a breakaway and a 2-on-1 for our goalie. But we settled down as a team and Close did too,” said Motzko. “I liked a lot of things we did after that point.”
In the first game with the dynamic duo of Matthew Knies and Ben Meyers off in Beijing for the Olympics, the Gophers needed some guys to step up. Maybe surprisingly to some, the youngsters got it going and the veterans finished it for the Gophers in their 4-2 come from behind win.
For the second straight game, the Gophers have opened the first period down by two goals. This time in their 100th season throwback jerseys, the Gophers were able to complete the comeback and award Bob Motzko with his 350th career win.
“I didn’t even know until someone said it,” said Motzko. “I just want to get to number 351 real quick.”
The Gophers got their first goal of the game from Rhett Pitlick who took us back to his younger stage with the passing play between Mike Koster and Pitlick, who both played Chaska hockey together. The Minnesota native whose last name has a rich history in the Gophers program got his first collegiate goal. Later, the young guns clicked again just minutes apart, this time it was freshman Aaron Huglen with his fourth of the year.
The first career goal celly just hits different 🙌 pic.twitter.com/b7l1yzmdvk
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) February 5, 2022
It has been a crazy last month for the Gophers. Starting with former goaltender Jack Lafontaine’s departure on January 9th. Followed by multiple injuries and players in COVID-19 protocol. Eventually, to cap it off, three players left for the Olympics but Gophers assistant coach Garrett Raboin had some words of encouragement for the boys that have seemed to stick with them since the start of January. “We have what we need.”
“I think everyone on our team is a building block and we have everything we need,” said Rhett Pitlick who notched his first collegiate goal. “I think it was Coach Rabs that came up with it but it really stuck and all the boys in the locker room love it, especially Bob. And I think it’s true. We do have everything we need.”
Later, Blake McLaughlin caught an outlet feed from Bryce Brodzinski and rushed in on a breakaway to give the Gophers a 3-2 lead. A little while later, another freshman in Tristan Broz, made it a 4-2 hockey game. McLaughlin recorded his 97th career point on his tenth goal of the year and eventually sealed the deal for the Gophers
Justen Close finished with 21 saves on 23 shots earning his fourth win of the year. Charleson earned his sixth loss of the year while stopping 36 out of 4o.
The Gophers will close out the series tomorrow night at 5:00 pm and look to sweep the Spartans for the second time this year.