MINNEAPOLIS – A tightly contested non-conference matchup at 3M Arena at Mariucci saw the No. 12 University of Minnesota men’s hockey team fall 3-1 to No. 11/10 Boston College on Thursday night.
The Golden Gophers (1-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 B1G) got another goal from senior Brody Lamb and a strong effort from goaltender Nathan Airey, who stopped 31 shots, but a late goal in the second period from the Eagles (1-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 Hockey East) proved the difference in the series opener.
Airey needed to make a point-blank cut in the game’s opening minute as the visitors had an early push. Minnesota responded with a strong forecheck and nearly struck for the go-ahead tally as LJ Mooney found Brodie Ziemer streaking to the net before his shot was blocked at the best of the crease.
The home side was forced to defend through the middle of the period with BC firing eight of the first nine shots on target and eventually found the back of the net with 5:51 to play in the frame taking advantage of a loose puck near the crease. The Gophers responded five minutes later to pull even as Lamb snapped home a wrister from the right circle as the clock showed 1:01 remaining to make it a 1-1 score at intermission. Leo Gruba flipped a backhand pass to an open spot where Lamb was able to walk in for a shot with Beckett Hendrickson providing a screen in front.
The Maroon and Gold carried that momentum into the second stanza where they were able to assert play, while the Eagles turned up the physicality. Jimmy Clark came an inch from pushing the home side in front only to see his bid from the slot ring off the crossbar. The junior had another chance in close that had to be turned aside before BC forced multiple saves from Airey to preserve the deadlock.
The visitors stayed on the attack and tipped a shot from the point to the back of the net at the 16:41 mark to move in front, 2-1. A dangerous banger from behind on Hendrickson gave the Gophers their first power play in the final seconds of the period and the home side faced a one-goal deficit heading into the third.
The man advantage was erased by the Eagles to begin the final frame. Looking for a spark in the late stages of the period, a fortuitous bounce off the end boards nearly paid off as August Falloon was on the doorstep, but his shot was blockered aside at the last second. Minnesota continued to pressure the visitors down the stretch until BC added an empty net tally with 24 seconds in regulation to seal the win, 3-1.
Noteworthy
Lamb found the back of the net for the third time in as many games this year and set a new career-long goal streak of four games that stretches back to the 2024-25 season finale … The Byron, Minn., native also opened the 2023-24 campaign with a goal in the first three games of the year … Airey put together his best effort of the young season and finished the night with 31 saves … It was the second time in his career making more than 30 saves in a game and one shy of his career high … After missing a game for the first time in his career last Saturday, Gruba returned to the lineup and immediately made an impact, assisting on the opening tally … Hendrickson collected his second assist of the year and already has three points in three games for the Gophers … Minnesota won the faceoff battle by a wide margin, claiming 61 percent (34-of-56) of the draws … Newcomer Tanner Ludtke was 71 percent (10-of-14) at the dot in the contest … Thursday’s outing featured only one penalty called and the Gophers went 0-for-1 on the man advantage, dropping to 0-for-5 this year on the power play.
Coach Motzko’s Comments
“We just can’t connect dots right today on a consistent basis,” Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. “The last thing we can do is be frustrated. That would just be wasted energy right today because there is too much to look forward to when we get to better hockey.”
Next Up: Home vs. Boston College (Oct. 10)
Minnesota closes the non-conference series with the Eagles Friday night at 6 p.m. inside 3M Arena at Mariucci live on FOX9+ and streaming on B1G+. A reminder that due to the Homecoming parade tomorrow night, fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid the University Ave. road closure. All individuals are encouraged to purchase parking passes in advance. Fans arriving without a parking pass should utilize available parking at the Ski-U-Mah and Victory lots or Oak Street ramp.
The Golden Gophers (1-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 B1G) got another goal from senior Brody Lamb and a strong effort from goaltender Nathan Airey, who stopped 31 shots, but a late goal in the second period from the Eagles (1-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 Hockey East) proved the difference in the series opener.
Airey needed to make a point-blank cut in the game’s opening minute as the visitors had an early push. Minnesota responded with a strong forecheck and nearly struck for the go-ahead tally as LJ Mooney found Brodie Ziemer streaking to the net before his shot was blocked at the best of the crease.
The home side was forced to defend through the middle of the period with BC firing eight of the first nine shots on target and eventually found the back of the net with 5:51 to play in the frame taking advantage of a loose puck near the crease. The Gophers responded five minutes later to pull even as Lamb snapped home a wrister from the right circle as the clock showed 1:01 remaining to make it a 1-1 score at intermission. Leo Gruba flipped a backhand pass to an open spot where Lamb was able to walk in for a shot with Beckett Hendrickson providing a screen in front.
The Maroon and Gold carried that momentum into the second stanza where they were able to assert play, while the Eagles turned up the physicality. Jimmy Clark came an inch from pushing the home side in front only to see his bid from the slot ring off the crossbar. The junior had another chance in close that had to be turned aside before BC forced multiple saves from Airey to preserve the deadlock.
The visitors stayed on the attack and tipped a shot from the point to the back of the net at the 16:41 mark to move in front, 2-1. A dangerous banger from behind on Hendrickson gave the Gophers their first power play in the final seconds of the period and the home side faced a one-goal deficit heading into the third.
The man advantage was erased by the Eagles to begin the final frame. Looking for a spark in the late stages of the period, a fortuitous bounce off the end boards nearly paid off as August Falloon was on the doorstep, but his shot was blockered aside at the last second. Minnesota continued to pressure the visitors down the stretch until BC added an empty net tally with 24 seconds in regulation to seal the win, 3-1.
Noteworthy
Lamb found the back of the net for the third time in as many games this year and set a new career-long goal streak of four games that stretches back to the 2024-25 season finale … The Byron, Minn., native also opened the 2023-24 campaign with a goal in the first three games of the year … Airey put together his best effort of the young season and finished the night with 31 saves … It was the second time in his career making more than 30 saves in a game and one shy of his career high … After missing a game for the first time in his career last Saturday, Gruba returned to the lineup and immediately made an impact, assisting on the opening tally … Hendrickson collected his second assist of the year and already has three points in three games for the Gophers … Minnesota won the faceoff battle by a wide margin, claiming 61 percent (34-of-56) of the draws … Newcomer Tanner Ludtke was 71 percent (10-of-14) at the dot in the contest … Thursday’s outing featured only one penalty called and the Gophers went 0-for-1 on the man advantage, dropping to 0-for-5 this year on the power play.
Coach Motzko’s Comments
“We just can’t connect dots right today on a consistent basis,” Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. “The last thing we can do is be frustrated. That would just be wasted energy right today because there is too much to look forward to when we get to better hockey.”
Next Up: Home vs. Boston College (Oct. 10)
Minnesota closes the non-conference series with the Eagles Friday night at 6 p.m. inside 3M Arena at Mariucci live on FOX9+ and streaming on B1G+. A reminder that due to the Homecoming parade tomorrow night, fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid the University Ave. road closure. All individuals are encouraged to purchase parking passes in advance. Fans arriving without a parking pass should utilize available parking at the Ski-U-Mah and Victory lots or Oak Street ramp.
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