University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, October 3
Houghton, MI
3:00 PM
University of Minnesota
0-1-0
2
at
3
Michigan Tech
1-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Michigan Tech | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Photo by: Brady Paitrick
Gophers Drop Opener at Michigan Tech Saturday
10/3/2026 6:00:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Snaps six-game win streak in season openers
HOUGHTON, Mich. - The No. 14/18 Minnesota men's hockey team finally started its 2026-27 season Saturday and suffered a 3-2 setback on the road at No. 19/20 Michigan Tech from John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
After poor ice conditions pushed the season's first puck drop back nearly 24 hours, the Golden Gophers (0-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 B1G) never led in the contest against the Huskies (1-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 CCHA). Tate Pritchard and Beckett Hendrickson each scored goals to pull even in the second period before Tech broke a 2-2 tie late in the third for the win. The loss snapped Minnesota's six-year streak of winning the season opener, while playing in Houghton, Mich., for the first time since 2012.
The Maroon and Gold had the early jump generating chances around the net as the game had a physical edge to start the contest. The aggression hindered the visitors, giving MTU a power play six minutes into the contest, but netminder Luca Di Pasquo made a timely sliding save to shut down the man advantage. After erasing the penalty, Teddy Townsend sparked a 2-on-1 with Hendrickson that had to be turned away by the Huskies' goalie.
A strong backcheck from newcomer Tanner Henricks negated a chance from Tech late in the opening period before the home side generated a forecheck in the closing minutes. The Huskies took advantage of a bouncing puck through the slot and moved in front, 1-0, in the frame's final four minutes.
The Gophers wasted little time striking for the equalizer on the fresh ice, scoring just 85 seconds into the second stanza. Finn Loftus chipped a backhand out of the zone where Pritchard picked up the puck, sped through the defense and buried his breakaway. After getting even on the scoreboard, Di Pasquo delivered another critical stop following a defensive giveaway that led to a point-blank chance. A relentless attack from Tech allowed the home team to regain the lead, 2-1, at the 6:29 mark with an open shot from the top of the slot.
Minnesota responded two minutes later as the tenacity of Hendrickson behind the net was on full display and the junior fought through being tackled to pot the tying tally with 11:14 left in the middle frame. Less than 10 seconds after pulling even, the Gophers earned their first power play of the year as MTU was called for diving and were unable to convert the chance. In the final 90 seconds of the period, Di Pasquo stopped another backdoor feed along the crease before denying a one-timer to keep the score tied, 2-2, through 40 minutes of action.
Neither team was willing to give up space in the neutral zone to begin the final frame as scoring chances were limited through the first six minutes. With the clock winding down under 10 minutes, it was the Huskies that capitalized on a failed clearance by Minnesota that deflected off the stanchion to an open player, setting up a one-timer for the go-ahead goal at the 11:41 mark.
The Gophers used and all-out attack down the stretch after pulling their goalie, only to be denied each time, suffering a 3-2 loss to begin the campaign.
Noteworthy
After finding the back of the net in the season opener a year ago during his NCAA debut, Pritchard did the same thing to begin 2026-27, getting his fifth collegiate marker ... Hendrickson put away a career-best seven goals last year and has now scored in every season opener of his three-year tenure ... The Minnetonka, Minn., native stretched his point streak to three games and four of his last five outings dating back to the end of 2025-26 ... Loftus collected the lone helper on the Gophers' first goal of the season in his Maroon and Gold debut ... The junior has tallied an assist in two of the three season-opening games of his NCAA career ... While making their college hockey debuts, freshmen Axel L fgren and Brooks Cullen each secured a point on the Hendrickson goal with assists ... Di Pasquo closed the night by making 25 saves in a return to his home state ... A total of nine newcomers to the roster made their Minnesota debuts Saturday in the first game of the head coach Brett Larson era ... Both teams went 0-for-1 on the man advantage Saturday, while the Gophers held a 31-28 edge in shots on goal and a 28-27 split at the faceoff dot.
Coach Larson's Comments
"I thought we did a lot of good things, but obviously we're nowhere near where we need to be yet. This team has a lot of growth coming and a group that is really coming together," Minnesota head coach Brett Larson said. "You saw some early-season mistakes as well. But the thing I really liked; I liked our compete and I liked our energy. I thought we came ready to play tonight."
Next Up: Away at No. 19/20 Michigan Tech (Oct. 4)
The Gophers and Huskies close their season-opening series Sunday afternoon with puck drop slated for 2:07 p.m. (CT). Fans can tune into the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM/AM-1130 KTLK for audio coverage or stream the video on Midco Sports Plus.
After poor ice conditions pushed the season's first puck drop back nearly 24 hours, the Golden Gophers (0-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 B1G) never led in the contest against the Huskies (1-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 CCHA). Tate Pritchard and Beckett Hendrickson each scored goals to pull even in the second period before Tech broke a 2-2 tie late in the third for the win. The loss snapped Minnesota's six-year streak of winning the season opener, while playing in Houghton, Mich., for the first time since 2012.
The Maroon and Gold had the early jump generating chances around the net as the game had a physical edge to start the contest. The aggression hindered the visitors, giving MTU a power play six minutes into the contest, but netminder Luca Di Pasquo made a timely sliding save to shut down the man advantage. After erasing the penalty, Teddy Townsend sparked a 2-on-1 with Hendrickson that had to be turned away by the Huskies' goalie.
A strong backcheck from newcomer Tanner Henricks negated a chance from Tech late in the opening period before the home side generated a forecheck in the closing minutes. The Huskies took advantage of a bouncing puck through the slot and moved in front, 1-0, in the frame's final four minutes.
The Gophers wasted little time striking for the equalizer on the fresh ice, scoring just 85 seconds into the second stanza. Finn Loftus chipped a backhand out of the zone where Pritchard picked up the puck, sped through the defense and buried his breakaway. After getting even on the scoreboard, Di Pasquo delivered another critical stop following a defensive giveaway that led to a point-blank chance. A relentless attack from Tech allowed the home team to regain the lead, 2-1, at the 6:29 mark with an open shot from the top of the slot.
Minnesota responded two minutes later as the tenacity of Hendrickson behind the net was on full display and the junior fought through being tackled to pot the tying tally with 11:14 left in the middle frame. Less than 10 seconds after pulling even, the Gophers earned their first power play of the year as MTU was called for diving and were unable to convert the chance. In the final 90 seconds of the period, Di Pasquo stopped another backdoor feed along the crease before denying a one-timer to keep the score tied, 2-2, through 40 minutes of action.
Neither team was willing to give up space in the neutral zone to begin the final frame as scoring chances were limited through the first six minutes. With the clock winding down under 10 minutes, it was the Huskies that capitalized on a failed clearance by Minnesota that deflected off the stanchion to an open player, setting up a one-timer for the go-ahead goal at the 11:41 mark.
The Gophers used and all-out attack down the stretch after pulling their goalie, only to be denied each time, suffering a 3-2 loss to begin the campaign.
Noteworthy
After finding the back of the net in the season opener a year ago during his NCAA debut, Pritchard did the same thing to begin 2026-27, getting his fifth collegiate marker ... Hendrickson put away a career-best seven goals last year and has now scored in every season opener of his three-year tenure ... The Minnetonka, Minn., native stretched his point streak to three games and four of his last five outings dating back to the end of 2025-26 ... Loftus collected the lone helper on the Gophers' first goal of the season in his Maroon and Gold debut ... The junior has tallied an assist in two of the three season-opening games of his NCAA career ... While making their college hockey debuts, freshmen Axel L fgren and Brooks Cullen each secured a point on the Hendrickson goal with assists ... Di Pasquo closed the night by making 25 saves in a return to his home state ... A total of nine newcomers to the roster made their Minnesota debuts Saturday in the first game of the head coach Brett Larson era ... Both teams went 0-for-1 on the man advantage Saturday, while the Gophers held a 31-28 edge in shots on goal and a 28-27 split at the faceoff dot.
Coach Larson's Comments
"I thought we did a lot of good things, but obviously we're nowhere near where we need to be yet. This team has a lot of growth coming and a group that is really coming together," Minnesota head coach Brett Larson said. "You saw some early-season mistakes as well. But the thing I really liked; I liked our compete and I liked our energy. I thought we came ready to play tonight."
Next Up: Away at No. 19/20 Michigan Tech (Oct. 4)
The Gophers and Huskies close their season-opening series Sunday afternoon with puck drop slated for 2:07 p.m. (CT). Fans can tune into the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM/AM-1130 KTLK for audio coverage or stream the video on Midco Sports Plus.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's HockeyTeam Stats
MGG
MTU
Shots
31
28
PPG
0
0
SHG
0
0
Penalties
2
2
Penalty Mins
4
4
Faceoffs Won
28
27
Game Leaders
+/-
1
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
0
+/-
1
Goals
1
Sh
2
A
0
+/-
-2
Goals
0
Sh
1
A
1
+/-
1
Goals
0
Sh
0
A
1
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