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The top-ranked Gophers built a 15-2-1 record entering Friday night’s Big Ten hockey series opener against No. 3 Michigan State thanks in part to their depth and ability to roll four forward lines. Recently, though, injuries have hit Minnesota hard, and that — plus Matthew Wood’s absence to participate in Canada’s world junior camp — meant the Gophers had only 10 forwards to start the game.
When Nick Michel received a game misconduct in the second period, the problem worsened. And when Brodie Ziemer went down the tunnel favoring his right leg midway through the second, the Gophers lineup was threadbare.
Ziemer, however, quickly returned, and the Gophers were thankful for it. The freshman left winger scored two goals, including the tying power-play marker in the third period. That enabled Minnesota to gain one point in the 3-3 tie with the Spartans, but Michigan State earned two points in the Big Ten standings with a shootout victory.
“That was a heck of a hockey game — two heavyweights going at it,” Gophers coach Bob Motzko said. “I just loved the way we competed tonight.”
In the shootout, Karsen Dorwart and Daniel Russell beat Gophers goalie Nathan Airey, while Ziemer and Brody Lamb couldn’t solve Spartans goalie Trey Augustine. Minnesota hasn’t scored in its past 23 shootout attempts, dating to Brannon McManus’ tally on Feb. 14, 2020.
“Trey’s a really good goalie,” Ziemer said. “I’ll see if I can get him tomorrow.”
Ziemer got his first shot past Augustine only 23 seconds into the game. Lamb also scored for the Gophers (15-2-2, 8-0-1 Big Ten, 24 points), who got 29 saves from Airey through overtime.
Michigan State (12-2-1, 5-1-1, 16 points) got second-period goals from Tiernan Shoudy, Kelly Tanner and Dorwart. Augustine made 41 saves.
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