Gophers Men’s Hockey Suffers First Shutout by Minnesota Duluth Since January 2023
The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs delivered a strong performance against the Gophers men’s hockey team, resulting in a 3-0 loss for Minnesota. This match took place on Friday night at the 3M Arena at Mariucci. The Gophers, ranked 12th, faced their first shutout by Minnesota Duluth since January 2023.
Game Highlights
In the first period, Daniel Shlaine and Zam Plante scored within 2:44 of each other, establishing an early lead for Duluth. Grayden Siepmann added another goal for the Bulldogs in the third period. Duluth outshot the Gophers, with a total of 24 shots compared to Minnesota’s 17.
Goalkeepers’ Performance
- Adam Gajan (UMD) – 17 saves
- Luca Di Pasquo (Gophers) – 21 saves
Post-Game Analysis
The Gophers’ head coach, Bob Motzko, expressed disappointment after the game. He stated that although the team started strong, they did not maintain that momentum throughout the match. The team’s inability to score was a significant factor in the outcome.
Historical Context
This defeat marks the Gophers’ first shutout in 104 games, with their last scoreless game occurring on January 7, 2023, against St. Cloud State. Additionally, it was their first home shutout since March 6, 2020, during the Big Ten tournament.
Upcoming Games
The two teams are set to meet again on Saturday night, offering the Gophers a chance to rebound from this disappointing loss.
Women’s Hockey Performance
In contrast, the No. 3 Gophers women’s hockey team achieved a 4-0 victory over No. 4 Minnesota Duluth. Ava Lindsey was a standout player, scoring two goals in the second period. This win improved the Gophers’ record to 8-1, with 4-1 in the WCHA.
Recent Trends
The Gophers women’s team has extended their unbeaten streak against Duluth to 14 games. Coach Brad Frost praised Lindsey, noting her recent offensive contributions after a slow start to the season.
