University of Minnesota Athletics
First-Time Scorers Help Gophers Bounce Back
12/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Three Minnesota players scored their first goals of the season as the Gophers bolted to an early three-goal lead and defeated Minnesota State 6-2 on Saturday in Mankato.
Freshman Josh Birkholz scored twice in the first period and fellow freshman Nick Leddy added the other of the Gophers' first period goals as Minnesota avenged a 3-1 loss to the Mavericks from Friday night and snapped a three-game losing streak in the series. Taylor Matson also scored his first goal of the season in the third period to seal the victory.
The Gophers continued their solid Saturday night play with a 4-2-1 record compared to just 1-6 on Fridays. It was also a key conference win for the Gophers, who moved to 6-9-1 overall and 4-7-1 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Minnesota State had a three-game winning streak end and dropped to 7-8-1 overall and 5-8-1 in league play.
The two Gopher freshmen scored their first career goals just over two minutes apart in the opening period. Leddy notched a goal at the 6:22 mark on a long shot from the left point and Birkholz scored his first goal at the 8:35 mark. Birkholz's goal came following a blocked shot from Kevin Wehrs, who picked up an assist on the play.
Birkholz scored his second goal in highlight-reel fashion, backhanding a high shot off a pass from Cade Fairchild. The goal came at the 14:20 mark and lasted for just over a minute until Minnesota State tallied its first score. Tyler Pitlick scored the goal for the Mavericks with assists from Ben Youds and Tyler Elbrecht at the 15:49 mark.
Minnesota State got a freak goal in the second period to cut the lead to 3-2 when Gophers' goaltender Alex Kangas misplayed a puck, allowing Pitlick to earn his second goal of the game at the 11:11 mark. Pitlick dumped the puck in and Kangas tried to clear it, but whiffed on the attempt. The Mavericks had three power plays in the period and held a 13-7 edge in shots.
The Gophers collected a key insurance goal to take a 4-2 lead at the 6:09 mark of the third period. Nico Sacchetti tipped in a long shot from Fairchild after Mike Carman started the play to also earn an assist. The goal came about a minute after Ryan Flynn ripped a shot off the crossbar from the top of the faceoff circle.
Minnesota tacked on two more goals just 32 seconds apart later in the period to build a 6-2 advantage. Patrick White scored the first, banging in a rebound of a shot by Nick Larson. Ryan Flynn also assisted the play at 12:50 of the period. Matson netted his first goal of the season moments later, tipping in a long shot from Brian Schack. Matson's goal chased Mavericks' goaltender Austin Lee, who finished the night with 24saves.
Minnesota held a 32-22 advantage in shots, including 9-3 in the third period. Kangas stopped 20 shots for the Gophers.
Neither team scored a power play goal with Minnesota getting three chances and Minnesota State having four man-advantage opportunities.
The Gophers conclude the first half of the season next weekend with a two-game series at Michigan Tech on Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. (central time) both nights.
