Minnesota Hockey: Gophers erase two losses en route to 6-3 win, sweep over Spartans

MINNEAPOLIS In case anyone forgot from earlier this season, the Michigan St. Spartans and Minnesota Gophers reinforced it: fouls completely change the trajectory of games like the major league and game foul tonight. That was true against North Dakota, and indeed it was true again in Minnesota’s 6-3 come-from-behind victory inside a sold-out 3M Arena in Mariucci on Saturday night’s tilt at Hockey Day Minnesota. This is Minnesota’s 13th straight win against the Spartans.

The Gophers won 3-2, State of Michigans Daniel Russell was assessed a five-minute serious and game foul for hitting Gophers defenseman Mike Koster in the head at 4:07 of the second period. Koster did not return to the game, and there was no update after the game. Although the Maroon and Gold didn’t score on the ensuing five-minute power play, they scored three more goals in the third period to take a 6-2 lead. There’s no doubt that the entire series played a role in the outcome as the momentum continued in Minnesota’s favor after the Spartans were forced to defend for five minutes.

The high point of the third period began just two minutes after the major penalty ended when Ryan Chesley fired the puck off the glove side of Dylan St. Cyr’s top shelf from the right circle after Rhett Pitlick fed him a backhand off the boards. Then Matthew Knies five-holed St. Cyr from the left circle to make it 5-2 after a great play from behind the net by Jimmy Snuggerud.

Knies’ 17th goal of the season tied Ben Meyers’ goal output from last season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect is now just two goals shy of Sampo Rantaks’ 19 goals in 2020-21.

As if the top line didn’t do enough damage in the series, Snuggeruds’ one-timer from the slot with 6:51 left in the game extended the lead to 6-2. As Motzko says, his release is ridiculous.

Snuggeruds’ goal was no doubt a knockout. They made plays when we needed them to,” Motzko said of the top line. … They looked awfully good tonight. The Spartans got one back on a late goal by Cole Krygier.

It was an unexpected turn to say the least.

The Gophers and Spartans may have been held scoreless after the first period, but Michigan St. dominated the first 20 minutes, outscoring Minnesota 12-4 to 22-10 in shot attempts. The visitors also hit the post.

“We turned the puck over, we didn’t get the puck deep and we didn’t get the puck out,” Gophers head coach Bob Motzko said. It could have gotten away from us.

The Spartans thought the Gophers were fair two shots in the first 18 minutes of the contest. It was exactly the kind of battle Gophers captain Brock Faber envisioned, and it showed in their slow start.

“We came out with less intensity and we thought it would be too easy and obviously you can’t get that in these types of games,” Snuggerud said. We came back from it and got the win. But we cannot start such a game.

The Spartans finally broke through at the 17:25 mark of the middle frame on the power play. Minnesota responded with a goal by Snuggerud 65 seconds later to tie the game. The freshman winger fired the puck over St. Cyrs’ glove hand and over the top shelf right out of the penalty zone for Cooley’s win.

But it took just 88 seconds for the Spartans to respond and regain the lead. However, the Gophers did not give up. In the end, the Gophers responded quite nicely in the second period, outscoring Michigan St. 16-6 with a 28-16 edge in shot attempts.

For the second weekend in a row, Knies robbed the goal. It wasn’t a quick whistle this time, it was a remarkable glove save from St. Cyril, who stretched all the way to stop Knies on one rebound.

Video review revealed his glove did not completely cross the goal line, and Motzko said he was told he was three-quarters of the way over the line. It would have been Knies’ goal number 18.

But the Gophers answered again as Cooley beat his defender to the net, wrapped it around the St. Cyrs wing pad and Garrett Pinoniemi poked the puck over the goal line as the net came off his second goal in two games back in the lineup. Michigan State challenged for goalie interference and failed, losing a timeout in the process.

I try to focus only on small things, on winning battles (and) according to coach Motzko, Pinoniemi said about his motivation to return to the lineup. I just try to keep it simple and it worked out in the end.

Motzko said the team didn’t play its A-game, but it got better as the game went on against the Spartans, who played bloody hard.

About two minutes later, Bryce Brodzinski scored for Minnesota’s first lead, which was 25 seconds before Major called on Russell. It was the result of a dominant second period by the Gophers, enough for the Maroon and Gold to complete the comeback and sweep the season series.

“I think it was incredible,” Snuggerud said of the team’s response. That’s the kind of stuff we need here. It’s gotten better all season, so it was really fun and a good response.

The Gophers have a week off and resume play against Wisconsin on the road on the 10th-11th. February.

We were going to use that to our advantage, Motzko said. We have work to do; we have free time.