Dec. 4th, 2021: Before the series against North Dakota, the Gophers lost on three consecutive Friday nights. The boys of Maroon and Gold have now won on back-to-back Friday nights following their 5-1 win over Michigan. But eventually end 2021 with another series split.
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Inconsistent has been a word that has been used for this year’s Minnesota Gophers Men’s hockey team and for the fifth consecutive weekend, we see why.
The Gophers completely dominated on Friday night’s tilt against the highly skilled and talented Michigan Wolverines team. Netting five goals and only allowing one, the Gophers controlled all aspects of the game. With strong defensive plays and great goaltending, the Gophers notched their most complete effort game of the year.
Following their 5-1 Friday night win, the Gophers saw themselves on top of the Big Ten standings. Coming into the season the Gophers and Wolverines were ranked number one and number two to finish in the Big Ten standings.
It was an entertaining series and a good test for the Gophers at the halfway mark of the season. To some, this series was a future predictor as to how this Gophers team will finish the season. The Michigan Wolverines are no joke, a roster makeup over seven first-round selections in which four of them were selected in the top five last year.
When the No. 1 overall pick Owen Power, No. 2 overall pick Matty Beniers, No. 4 overall pick Luke Hughes, and No. 5 overall pick Kent Johnson all decided to return to Michigan University, you knew the Wolverines would be the team to beat.
As talented as the Wolverines are, the Gophers were able to frustrate, exhaust, and block as many shots as they could to eventually dominate in the 5-1 win.
“We had to lead the world tonight in blocked shots, we needed to be in lanes, we needed to frustrate them, and our guys did a good job,” Gophers head coach Bob Motzko told the media.
Added senior captain Sammy Walker, “We came out pretty strong and set the tempo right away. We had that the whole game. It was definitely one you look forward to and definitely a fun game.”
The Gophers got pair of first period goals by Chaz Lucius and another by Brock Faber, whom both were recently invited to the Team USA World Juniors Camp.
Make it ✌️ pic.twitter.com/LjFgmpl7kF
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) December 4, 2021
Later, senior captain Sammy Walker set up Blake McLaughlin and Jonny Sorenson for some gorgeous goals. The Gophers were able to take a 5-0 lead into the third period. Erik Portillo started the third period on the bench and Nick West stopped all eight shots he faced in the third period.
Thomas Bordeleau the San Jose Sharks prospect, was able to break Jack LaFonatine’s shoutout just over a minute in the third period. Unfournlty for the Wolverines, it was the only shot that they could get by the former Michigan goaltender. LaFontaine stopped 31 shots in the win.
Michigan Dominates In Game Two
Following the 6-2 loss on Saturday, the Gophers are now 10-8-0 on the year and have split their last five series. After starting out strong with Bryce Brodzinski’s team leading ninth goal of the year, the Gophers looked like the team we saw a night ago.
“The D stepped up and I had the middle ice. They kind of gave me that. The D moved his stick and left Brodzy open. It was kind of a simple play,” Blake McLaughlin told the media. “It’s a blast. You put it on his tape and nine times out of ten it’s going in.”
The Wolverines put the Gophers’ momentum to rest after two quick goals just 27 seconds apart. One from Mark Estapa and another by Michael Pastujov.
Pastujov didn’t stop there, as he recorded three straight goals for the natural hat trick, giving the Wolverines an impressive 4-1 lead in the second period. Jay Keranen and Nolan Moyle both added goals in the latter stages of the second period. Michigan carried a 6-1 lead into the third period after scoring six unanswered goals.
“Deja vu,” said Motzko. “Michigan responded. This was the same type of thing we saw last Saturday, we saw it again tonight.” The Gophers won 5-1 against North Dakota last Friday, then looked like a completely different team in a 3-2 loss in the series finale. “We didn’t have a response for it. I just told our guys, six nights a week I love them. It’s one night a week that I don’t know what team that is. But it’s pretty consistent.”
Despite trailing by five goals in the third period, Motzko’s team still worked hard and eventually was rewarded with a goal from Grant Cruikshank. When a team is getting dominated most would just sit back, wait for the game to end, preserve energy, and avoid getting hurt.
You have to give it to them, the Gophers played a strong third period in which they won the period but lost the game. The transfer student from Colorado is one player Motzko can always count on. Cruikshank provides an aggressive and physical game no matter the score. Which is exactly the player you want the freshman to look up to.
“I think we stepped it up a notch in the third period, but obviously a little bit too late,” said Justin Close who stopped 17 shots in relief. “We’ve got to find a way to put a full weekend together, 60 minutes both nights. We’re still finding a way to do that.”
After Michigan’s fifth goal in the second period, Jack LaFontaine was lifted from the net after stopping 21 shots out of the 26 he faced. Justin Close in his first full period of the year only allowed one goal on 18 shots.
What’s Next?
The Gophers are off on winter break until the exhibition game with the USA Hockey National U-18 Team on Jan. 3.
They will return to Big Ten play on Jan. 7 at Michigan State.