Feb. 11th, 2022: Gophers fell down 1-0 early but stormed back with goals from three different rookies ending the Buckeyes seven-game unbeaten streak.
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For the second-consecutive series opener, the Gophers have gotten solid production out of their rookies. This time the Gophers erased a one goal deficit with three straight goals from their freshmen. In game one of the most anticipated series in the Big Ten, the Gophers were able to take down the Big Ten leading Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 3-2.
Up in shots 9-4 and six minutes into the game, the Gophers turned the puck over trying to exit the defensive zone. Georgii Merkulov found Kamil Sadlocha who later caught defenseman Cole McWard streaking in. McWard gave the Buckeyes an early one goal lead just six minutes into the game.
In the later stages of the first period, the Buckeyes turned the puck over to Minnesota where Aaron Huglen, Rhett Pitlick, and Chaz Lucius played keep-away before Lucius netted his ninth of the year. Coaches always preach a hard forecheck. You aggressively forecheck them and you’ll eventually be rewarded. Which was the result of the Gophers’ first goal.
Just 79 seconds later, the Gophers added another, this time it was Tristan Broz recording his fourth of the season off the cross-ice saucer pass from Sammy Walker. Broz now holds three goals in his last five games as he’s been amongst one of the hottest scorers on the team right now.
“We’re all getting to that point where we’re starting to play hockey and to feel like ourselves out there,” Broz said. “I think that’s showing that we’re all playing our individual games and making things happen, having a lot of fun.”
Later in the second period, Aaron Huglen notched his fifth of the year off a great behind-the-back no-look pass by Rhett Pitlick. The play started with Huglen’s win on the face-off dot, sliding the puck back to Lucius who looked to shoot but was deflected onto the tape of Pitlick. The Montreal Canadians’ prospect found Huglen in front who slipped it past Hobey Baker Finalist Jakub Dobes for a two goal lead.
Three for three on goals for the youngins 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EzuP0DkQlS
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) February 12, 2022
The Buckeyes got a breakaway goal in the opening minute of the third to pull back within one, but Justen Close continued to play solid as he turned aside the next ten shots. Close finished with a career-high 32 saves on 34 shots improving to 6-3-0 as the Gophers’ starter.
In a game that had the feel of playoff hockey, three mistakes were made with all three leading to goals. Starting with the first mistake by the Gophers in the offensive zone and two more by the Buckeyes later in the first period.
“It’s playoff hockey,” said Buckeyes coach Steve Rohlik. “You feel like you’re playing a decent game and you’re up 1-0. You make two mistakes against a really good hockey team. The next thing you know, you’re down 2-1 after one. We just tried to claw our way back.”
With the 3-2 win the Gophers move up to 18-11-0 overall and 13-6-0 in the Big Ten. Also moving within a game of both Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten. The Gophers are now 37-9-5 all-time vs Ohio State as they ended the Buckeyes seven-game unbeaten streak.
“It was just a strong, steady game for us,” said Gophers coach Bob Motzko. “Obviously you go on the road and get a lead, it’s a whole lot better than the other way.”
The Gophers are set to close the series on Saturday vs the Buckeyes with puck drop at 5:07 central time.