For the 22nd time in program history, the No. 5/6 Gopher men’s hockey team is heading to the NCAA Frozen Four following a 3-0 win over No. 4/5 Western Michigan on Sunday evening at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.
Justen Close earned his third shutout in the last six games to improve to 14-3-0 since taking over as Minnesota’s starting goaltender. The junior made 24 saves as he backstopped the Gophers to their 11th win in the last 12 games.
Meanwhile, Minnesota (26-12-0) was led by goals from Matthew Knies, Aaron Huglen and Blake McLaughlin while Hobey Baker Award finalist Ben Meyers tallied two assists and finished the weekend with four points (three assists and Friday night’s overtime game-winning goal).
Knies opened the night with his 14th goal of the year at 9:50 of the first period as the freshman forward was set up by Faber and Meyers as three of Minnesota’s All-America candidates combined for the eventual game winner.
After a scoreless middle frame, Meyers factored into Minnesota’s second goal of the night early in the third when he fed Aaron Huglen on a Minnesota power play for the freshman’s seventh goal of the year. Jackson LaCombe also earned an assist on the goal for his 30th point and 27th assist of the year.
Blake McLaughlin sealed the game with his 13th of the season when the senior forward scored a short-handed, unassisted goal into the empty net at 18:03 of the final period.
Minnesota held a 26-24 advantage on shots while going 1-for-1 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
NCAA Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team
Forward: Ben Meyers, Minnesota
Forward: Matthew Knies, Minnesota
Forward: Luke Grainger, WMU
Defense: Jackson LaCombe, Minnesota
Defense: Ronnie Attard, WMU
Goaltender: Justen Close, Minnesota
Most Outstanding Player: Matthew Knies, Minnesota
Noteworthy
After making its 39th NCAA tournament appearance (tied for the most in college hockey) this year, Minnesota earned its 58th NCAA tournament win (most in college hockey, 58-39)…the Gophers improved to 1-1 all-time against Western Michigan in the first NCAA tournament meeting between the two programs…Meyers leads Minnesota with 41 points this season (17 goals, 24 assists) – the most points by a Gopher since Rem Pitlick (45) and Tyler Sheehy (41) in 2018-19…Meyers has 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in seven games since returning from the Olympics and now has a career-long eight-game point streak…Knies has four goals in the last three games and seven points (four goals, three assists) in five games since returning from the Olympics…Minnesota’s 26 wins are the most since 28 wins in 2013-14.
Next Up: NCAA Frozen Four
Minnesota has now earned its 22nd NCAA Frozen Four berth and will look to win its sixth national championship (1974, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2003). The Gophers open the Frozen Four against in-state rival Minnesota State on Thursday, April 7.
(info courtesy of Gopher Sports)
