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

The Golden Gophers (6-1-0 overall, 1-0-0 B1G) erased a first-period deficit, scoring the final three goals of the night, to defeat the Nittany Lions (4-2-0 overall, 0-1-0 B1G). It was the Maroon and Gold’s fifth straight victory overall and fifth straight against Penn State.

The visitors pulled off an early jumper over Minnesota, forcing goalkeeper Nathan Airey to make a point-blank save from the slot 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 have done all season, the Nittany Lions killed the power play without conceding. At 8:01 of the first period, Minnesota was down a man and quickly erased the chance. Seconds after eliminating another opposing power play, Penn State found the first score with 38 seconds remaining in the period to take a 1-0 lead into intermission. It was the first time all season that Minnesota failed to score in the first half of a game.

The lead was short-lived as Snuggerud pounced on a loose puck 96 seconds into the second period and fired a shot to bring the Gophers back even, 1-1. Less than three minutes later, the home team took a sprawling power play as the Nittany Lions were called for a five-minute major. In the final seconds of the power play, Minnesota played 5-on-3 as another minor penalty was called. The Gophers were unable to capitalize on their chances and the score remained 1-1 until another power play was gained late in the period. This time, it was Snuggerud who found the back of the net again with 1:38 left in the frame as the junior camped in the slot and returned a Sam Rinzel shot from the point. Minnesota brought the lead back to one goal in the locker room after 40 minutes of action.

After killing off a power play early in the third period, Oliver Moore nearly extended the Gophers’ lead when his shot from the left circle hit the post. It was a battle for every inch of ice until the middle of the final frame. Mason Nevers came within inches of burying a 3-on-1 rush, but his one-timer along the goal line was pushed away by the opposing goalie.

The Maroon and Gold continued to play smart hockey and put pucks behind PSU down the stretch. The visitors replaced their goalkeeper with an extra attacker in the final minutes and Clark sealed the victory by scoring into an empty net with 50 seconds remaining. Airey shut down the Nittany Lions in the final two periods and finished with 21 saves to win his fourth straight game to start the campaign.

Courtesy: Gopher Sports Information