Jimmy Snuggerud and Jimmy Clark combined to score all three goals and the fourth-seeded Minnesota men’s hockey team won its Big Ten Conference opener 3-1 over No. 18 Penn State on Friday night at 3M Arena in Mariucci.

The Golden Gophers (6-1-0 overall, 1-0-0 B1G) scored the final three goals of the night to erase a first-period deficit and take down the Nittany Lions (4-2-0 overall, 0- 1-0 B1G). This was the Maroon and Gold’s fifth straight victory overall and fifth straight victory over Penn State.

The visitors made an early jump over Minnesota, forcing netminder Nathan Airey to make a point-blank save two minutes into the action. The sophomore’s save helped the Gophers gain control of the puck and led to an early power play, but as they had all season long, the Nittany Lions destroyed the man advantage without compromise. At 8:01 of the opening period, Minnesota went down a man and immediately erased the opportunity. Just seconds after eliminating another opposing power play, Penn State came up with the opening tally with 38 seconds remaining to take a 1-0 lead at halftime. This marked the first time all season that Minnesota failed to score in the first period of a contest.

The lead was short-lived as Snuggerud dove on a loose puck and fired a shot at the goal to tie the Gophers 1-1 96 seconds into the second period. Less than three minutes later, the home team went on an extended man advantage as the Nittany Lions called for a five-minute major. In the closing seconds of the power play, Minnesota went 3-for-5 as another minor penalty was called. The Gophers failed to capitalize on their chances and the score remained at 1-1 until they had another man advantage in the final minutes. This time, Snuggerud found the back of the net with 1:38 to play in the frame, and the youngster set up camp in the slot and slotted home Sam Rinzel’s shot from the point. Minnesota took the one-goal lead back to the locker room after a 40-minute fight.

After ending the power play early in the third period, Oliver Moore nearly extended the Gophers’ lead when his shot from the left wing went off the post. It was a battle for every inch of the ice until the midway point of the final frame. Mason Nevers was inches away from completing a 3-on-1 charge, but his one-timer across the goal line was brought down by the opposing goalkeeper.

The Maroon and Gold continued to play smart hockey and got pucks behind PSU. The visitors pulled their goalkeeper in the closing minutes for an extra attacker and Clark secured the victory by scoring into an empty net with 50 seconds left. Airey shut down the Nittany Lions in the final two periods and won his fourth straight contest to start the season with 21 saves.

Courtesy: Gopher Sports Information