University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, March 5
3M Arena at Mariucci
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Michigan State
Players Mentioned
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
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/ Men's Hockey
Defense
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Goaltender
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Photo by: Matt Krohn
'U' Closes Regular Season Facing No. 2/3 Spartans
3/4/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Final series of 2025-26 set for Mar. 5-6
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota men's hockey team plays its final regular-season series of 2025-26 as it hosts No. 2/3 Michigan State Mar. 5-6 inside 3M Arena at Mariucci presented by Flint Hills Resources.
The Golden Gophers return to home ice for the first time in a month and open the series Thursday night at 7 p.m. on FOX9. The finale is set for 7 p.m. Friday on FOX9+ where the Maroon and Gold will honor its senior class postgame as well as celebrate a 50-year reunion of its 1976 NCAA National Championship team.
Fans can also stream both games through B1G+ or tune into audio coverage via the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM/AM-1130 KTLK.
WATCH THE PRIDE ON ICE
Minnesota and FOX9 have partnered for a local television broadcast deal for the third-straight year that will air 17 home games during the 2025-26 campaign presented by Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. This year's home broadcasts on FOX9 and FOX9+ will again feature a 30-minute Pride on Ice Pre-Game Show presented by M Health Fairview as well as a post-game show recapping the action presented by RBC Wealth Management. The Gophers will have 10 games broadcast on Big Ten Network as well as one on FS1 this season.
LAST TIME ON THE ICE
Minnesota played to a series split on the road at No. 2 Michigan, highlighted by a 4-2 upset victory Thursday at Yost Ice Arena. Brodie Ziemer powered the win with a three-point night, scoring twice and adding an assist, while LJ Mooney and Luke Mittelstadt combined for three assists. Luca Di Pasquo anchored the effort with 37 saves and the Gophers blocked 30 shots to stun the conference leaders. In Friday's rematch, goals from Javon Moore and Beckett Hendrickson had the game tied 2-2 entering the third period, but the Wolverines broke through late and added an empty-net goal to secure a 4-2 decision.
THANK YOU SENIORS
Minnesota's 2026 senior class of Brody Lamb, John Mittelstadt, Luke Mittelstadt, Cal Thomas and Zach Wiese have all spent the last four seasons proudly wearing the Maroon and Gold, providing experience and stability across every position. The group includes leaders who have contributed in every situation, from power-play goals and game winners to blocked shots and ironman durability. Together, they have totaled 220 career points while anchoring the blue line, delivering in clutch moments and setting the standard in the locker room. As they prepare for their final weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci, the class leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, consistency and an unwavering commitment to the Gopher men's hockey program.
ZIEMER KEEPS LIGHTING THE LAMP
Brodie Ziemer is operating at a point-per-game pace and is leading the Gophers in scoring with 34 points in 33 games, while his 11 power-play goals own the NCAA's top spot. The sophomore closed 2025 on a blistering run, lighting the lamp in six of the final seven outings with a pair of three-game goal streaks and piled up eight goals and 11 points across that stretch. The Chaska, Minn., native delivered back-to-back multi-goal efforts at Ohio State in December to earn B1G First Star honors (Dec. 9). Ziemer has continued that trend in 2026, finding the back of the net 10 times in 14 games for a career-best 22 goals, which ranks fourth in the country. His two-goal effort in the upset win at No. 2 Michigan last Thursday stretched his point streak to a career-best eight games and gave him 18 goals in a 21-game span since Nov. 14.
LAMB PILES ON POINTS
Senior captain Brody Lamb has been a driving force behind the Gophers' offense, ranking second on the team with a career-best 30 points on 14 goals and 16 assists. He reached double-digit goals for the third-straight season with the 15th power-play tally of his career versus Michigan (Jan. 17). The Byron, Minn., native posted consecutive three-point outings at Denver (Nov. 29) and Ohio State (Dec. 4), recording four multi-point performances over the final eight games of 2025 before adding his team-leading eighth multi-point effort of the season against Wisconsin (Jan. 31). By reaching the scoresheet in both outings at Notre Dame, Lamb pushed his point streak to a career-long nine games and had five goals and six helpers during that stretch.
MOONEY MAGIC
LJ Mooney's breakaway goal to close the sweep of the Fighting Irish on Nov. 8 highlighted the speed and skill of the Gophers' rookie. It was the first multi-point night of his young career, and he has barely slowed down since, tallying six more multi-point performances to put up 19 points in the last 16 games. The West Mifflin, Pa., native has at least one point in 14 of 16 series played, totaling seven goals and a team-leading 21 assists, which ranks sixth among NCAA freshmen. Eighteen of those points have come during Minnesota's 27 total power-play goals where his vision and creativity are on full display. His two points in the series opener versus Ohio State (Feb. 6) stretched Mooney's point streak to seven games, the third-longest of any Gopher this season.
LUKE DOING IT ALL
Captain Luke Mittelstadt has opened his final season playing some of the best hockey of his career, putting up 21 points, while playing nearly 27 minutes per game. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native is second for the Gophers with 19 assists, leading the B1G and 11th among all NCAA defensemen, with 15 of those points coming while running the blue line on the man advantage. His first goal of the year, a power-play game winner against Notre Dame (Nov. 8), ended a 23-game scoring drought and capped the series sweep, while his second goal was also the winner to finish a B1G sweep of No. 8/7 Wisconsin (Jan. 31). Behind his two-assist effort in the upset over No. 2 Michigan last Thursday, the senior crossed the 20-point mark for the third time in his four-year career, becoming the 15th defenseman to record such a feat.
AN INSIDE LOOK AT MICHIGAN STATE
The Spartans come to Dinkytown looking for at least two B1G points, which are needed to clinch a share of their third-straight, regular-season title as league-leading Michigan is idle. MSU picked up just two of a possible six points last weekend on home ice versus Ohio State, needing a 13-round shootout win Saturday to salvage the series. Using the NCAA's third-best scoring defense that holds opponents to just 2.09 goals per game, the Spartans were 9-1-0 entering the matchup with the Buckeyes. Freshman Porter Martone leads all B1G scorers with 43 points thanks to 21 goals and 22 assists, while Rosemount, Minn., native Charlie Stramel is close behind at 41 points. Goaltender Trey Augustine owns a 22-7-1 record to go with a 2.09 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. MSU also boasts three of the nation's top eight skaters in total penalty minutes at over 70 minutes each.
HISTORY WITH THE SPARTANS
Minnesota owns a wide edge of 136-55-19 (.693) in the all-time series against Michigan State, but it's tilted in favor of the team wearing green of late as the Spartans have posted a record of 5-1-2 across the last eight meetings. That turned things around for MSU after the Gophers claimed a 16-game unbeaten streak from December 2020 to November 2023. Minnesota was swept at Munn Ice Arena in a pair of close January tilts against the second-ranked Spartans, falling 3-1 Friday before a 3-2 setback Saturday. LJ Mooney scored the Gophers' lone tally, a third-period, power-play goal in the opener. The next night, Brody Lamb opened the scoring early before MSU answered with goals in each period that extended Minnesota's losing streak to seven games.
TOP 10 VICTORIES
Thanks to a sweep of No. 8/7 Wisconsin at home to close January and another road upset of No. 2 Michigan last Thursday, the Gophers have now logged six victories over top-10 opponents, accounting for more than half of their total wins this season. The stretch began with a road triumph at No. 8 North Dakota on Oct. 18 and continued with a home victory over No. 5 Penn State on Nov. 21. Minnesota then delivered an upset of No. 4 Denver in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game on Nov. 29 to close the first half of the season, before the wins against the Badgers snapped a seven-game skid. The victory over the Wolverines marked the 53rd top-10 win of Head Coach Bob Motzko's tenure.
ROAD CHALLENGES IN LEAGUE PLAY
Minnesota struggled on the road during B1G play, going 2-9-1 and suffered sweeps at No. 14 Wisconsin, No. 9 Penn State, and No. 2 Michigan State. In those league outings, the Gophers were outscored 43-28, scoring more than two goals just three times, while opponents converted 31.0 percent of their power-play chances to average 3.6 goals per game. Slow starts and possession have been key factors, as Minnesota fell behind in eight of the 12 contests and won just 42.1 percent of faceoffs overall.
GAUNTLET RUN FROM START TO FINISH
Minnesota's 2025-26 regular-season slate is once again daunting from start to finish. Of the Gophers' 35 games, 23 will be against teams that were ranked in the national polls, including 11 versus top-five foes, with six more against opponents that received votes at the time of the matchup. The schedule is the most difficult in the country after facing six top-10 opponents during the final eight weeks. Minnesota is no stranger to difficult schedules, having battled the nation's No. 4 strength of schedule in 2023-24 and the No. 2 schedule the year before. Even last year's "dip" to the No. 19 toughest schedule still placed the Gophers among the most battle-tested teams in the country.
The Golden Gophers return to home ice for the first time in a month and open the series Thursday night at 7 p.m. on FOX9. The finale is set for 7 p.m. Friday on FOX9+ where the Maroon and Gold will honor its senior class postgame as well as celebrate a 50-year reunion of its 1976 NCAA National Championship team.
Fans can also stream both games through B1G+ or tune into audio coverage via the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM/AM-1130 KTLK.
WATCH THE PRIDE ON ICE
Minnesota and FOX9 have partnered for a local television broadcast deal for the third-straight year that will air 17 home games during the 2025-26 campaign presented by Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. This year's home broadcasts on FOX9 and FOX9+ will again feature a 30-minute Pride on Ice Pre-Game Show presented by M Health Fairview as well as a post-game show recapping the action presented by RBC Wealth Management. The Gophers will have 10 games broadcast on Big Ten Network as well as one on FS1 this season.
LAST TIME ON THE ICE
Minnesota played to a series split on the road at No. 2 Michigan, highlighted by a 4-2 upset victory Thursday at Yost Ice Arena. Brodie Ziemer powered the win with a three-point night, scoring twice and adding an assist, while LJ Mooney and Luke Mittelstadt combined for three assists. Luca Di Pasquo anchored the effort with 37 saves and the Gophers blocked 30 shots to stun the conference leaders. In Friday's rematch, goals from Javon Moore and Beckett Hendrickson had the game tied 2-2 entering the third period, but the Wolverines broke through late and added an empty-net goal to secure a 4-2 decision.
THANK YOU SENIORS
Minnesota's 2026 senior class of Brody Lamb, John Mittelstadt, Luke Mittelstadt, Cal Thomas and Zach Wiese have all spent the last four seasons proudly wearing the Maroon and Gold, providing experience and stability across every position. The group includes leaders who have contributed in every situation, from power-play goals and game winners to blocked shots and ironman durability. Together, they have totaled 220 career points while anchoring the blue line, delivering in clutch moments and setting the standard in the locker room. As they prepare for their final weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci, the class leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, consistency and an unwavering commitment to the Gopher men's hockey program.
ZIEMER KEEPS LIGHTING THE LAMP
Brodie Ziemer is operating at a point-per-game pace and is leading the Gophers in scoring with 34 points in 33 games, while his 11 power-play goals own the NCAA's top spot. The sophomore closed 2025 on a blistering run, lighting the lamp in six of the final seven outings with a pair of three-game goal streaks and piled up eight goals and 11 points across that stretch. The Chaska, Minn., native delivered back-to-back multi-goal efforts at Ohio State in December to earn B1G First Star honors (Dec. 9). Ziemer has continued that trend in 2026, finding the back of the net 10 times in 14 games for a career-best 22 goals, which ranks fourth in the country. His two-goal effort in the upset win at No. 2 Michigan last Thursday stretched his point streak to a career-best eight games and gave him 18 goals in a 21-game span since Nov. 14.
LAMB PILES ON POINTS
Senior captain Brody Lamb has been a driving force behind the Gophers' offense, ranking second on the team with a career-best 30 points on 14 goals and 16 assists. He reached double-digit goals for the third-straight season with the 15th power-play tally of his career versus Michigan (Jan. 17). The Byron, Minn., native posted consecutive three-point outings at Denver (Nov. 29) and Ohio State (Dec. 4), recording four multi-point performances over the final eight games of 2025 before adding his team-leading eighth multi-point effort of the season against Wisconsin (Jan. 31). By reaching the scoresheet in both outings at Notre Dame, Lamb pushed his point streak to a career-long nine games and had five goals and six helpers during that stretch.
MOONEY MAGIC
LJ Mooney's breakaway goal to close the sweep of the Fighting Irish on Nov. 8 highlighted the speed and skill of the Gophers' rookie. It was the first multi-point night of his young career, and he has barely slowed down since, tallying six more multi-point performances to put up 19 points in the last 16 games. The West Mifflin, Pa., native has at least one point in 14 of 16 series played, totaling seven goals and a team-leading 21 assists, which ranks sixth among NCAA freshmen. Eighteen of those points have come during Minnesota's 27 total power-play goals where his vision and creativity are on full display. His two points in the series opener versus Ohio State (Feb. 6) stretched Mooney's point streak to seven games, the third-longest of any Gopher this season.
LUKE DOING IT ALL
Captain Luke Mittelstadt has opened his final season playing some of the best hockey of his career, putting up 21 points, while playing nearly 27 minutes per game. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native is second for the Gophers with 19 assists, leading the B1G and 11th among all NCAA defensemen, with 15 of those points coming while running the blue line on the man advantage. His first goal of the year, a power-play game winner against Notre Dame (Nov. 8), ended a 23-game scoring drought and capped the series sweep, while his second goal was also the winner to finish a B1G sweep of No. 8/7 Wisconsin (Jan. 31). Behind his two-assist effort in the upset over No. 2 Michigan last Thursday, the senior crossed the 20-point mark for the third time in his four-year career, becoming the 15th defenseman to record such a feat.
AN INSIDE LOOK AT MICHIGAN STATE
The Spartans come to Dinkytown looking for at least two B1G points, which are needed to clinch a share of their third-straight, regular-season title as league-leading Michigan is idle. MSU picked up just two of a possible six points last weekend on home ice versus Ohio State, needing a 13-round shootout win Saturday to salvage the series. Using the NCAA's third-best scoring defense that holds opponents to just 2.09 goals per game, the Spartans were 9-1-0 entering the matchup with the Buckeyes. Freshman Porter Martone leads all B1G scorers with 43 points thanks to 21 goals and 22 assists, while Rosemount, Minn., native Charlie Stramel is close behind at 41 points. Goaltender Trey Augustine owns a 22-7-1 record to go with a 2.09 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. MSU also boasts three of the nation's top eight skaters in total penalty minutes at over 70 minutes each.
HISTORY WITH THE SPARTANS
Minnesota owns a wide edge of 136-55-19 (.693) in the all-time series against Michigan State, but it's tilted in favor of the team wearing green of late as the Spartans have posted a record of 5-1-2 across the last eight meetings. That turned things around for MSU after the Gophers claimed a 16-game unbeaten streak from December 2020 to November 2023. Minnesota was swept at Munn Ice Arena in a pair of close January tilts against the second-ranked Spartans, falling 3-1 Friday before a 3-2 setback Saturday. LJ Mooney scored the Gophers' lone tally, a third-period, power-play goal in the opener. The next night, Brody Lamb opened the scoring early before MSU answered with goals in each period that extended Minnesota's losing streak to seven games.
TOP 10 VICTORIES
Thanks to a sweep of No. 8/7 Wisconsin at home to close January and another road upset of No. 2 Michigan last Thursday, the Gophers have now logged six victories over top-10 opponents, accounting for more than half of their total wins this season. The stretch began with a road triumph at No. 8 North Dakota on Oct. 18 and continued with a home victory over No. 5 Penn State on Nov. 21. Minnesota then delivered an upset of No. 4 Denver in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game on Nov. 29 to close the first half of the season, before the wins against the Badgers snapped a seven-game skid. The victory over the Wolverines marked the 53rd top-10 win of Head Coach Bob Motzko's tenure.
ROAD CHALLENGES IN LEAGUE PLAY
Minnesota struggled on the road during B1G play, going 2-9-1 and suffered sweeps at No. 14 Wisconsin, No. 9 Penn State, and No. 2 Michigan State. In those league outings, the Gophers were outscored 43-28, scoring more than two goals just three times, while opponents converted 31.0 percent of their power-play chances to average 3.6 goals per game. Slow starts and possession have been key factors, as Minnesota fell behind in eight of the 12 contests and won just 42.1 percent of faceoffs overall.
GAUNTLET RUN FROM START TO FINISH
Minnesota's 2025-26 regular-season slate is once again daunting from start to finish. Of the Gophers' 35 games, 23 will be against teams that were ranked in the national polls, including 11 versus top-five foes, with six more against opponents that received votes at the time of the matchup. The schedule is the most difficult in the country after facing six top-10 opponents during the final eight weeks. Minnesota is no stranger to difficult schedules, having battled the nation's No. 4 strength of schedule in 2023-24 and the No. 2 schedule the year before. Even last year's "dip" to the No. 19 toughest schedule still placed the Gophers among the most battle-tested teams in the country.
Highlights: Gophers 2, Michigan 4
Friday, February 27
Highlights: Gophers 4, Michigan 2
Thursday, February 26
Highlights: Gophers 2, Notre Dame 3
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Gophers 2, Notre Dame 2
Friday, February 13