University of Minnesota Athletics

Ziemer scored a power-play goal for the Golden Gophers (15-2-2 overall, 8-0-1 B1G) with nine minutes left in the third period to force overtime after the Spartans (12-2- 1 overall, 5- 1-1 B1G) had a three-goal second period to take a 3-2 lead. MSU claimed an extra point in the B1G standings via the shootout, while the Maroon and Gold remained undefeated in the competition.

The fans at 3M Arena in Mariucci barely had a chance to find their seats before Minnesota christened its new “Iron Range Alternate” uniforms and scored just 23 seconds into the game. Jimmy Snuggerud fired a shot from the right wall and after MSU's netminder made the first save, Ziemer pounced on the rebound and buried the opening score. The Spartans almost took the lead three minutes later, but a last-second stick check saved the game Sam Rinzel stopped the strange rush in front of the Gophers' goal. Speed ​​through the home team's attacking zone led to the first power play at 5:51, which was erased by the visitors.

In what turned out to be one of the most impressive plays of the period, Lucas Mittelstadt forced MSU offside when he stopped the puck with his skate at his own blue line after his stick shattered on a shot attempt at the other end of the ice. Both teams had chances on the man advantage over the final six minutes of the frame, but neither could break through, and the Gophers held the one-goal cushion at intermission.

MSU got the equalizer 2:20 into the second stanza with a tricky deflection in the end. The goal ended Minnesota's four-game shutout streak in 167 minutes, 16 seconds. It was the home team who struck again 1:49 later Oliver Moore collected a broken clearance of Connor Kurth and used speed to attack down the left wing. The sophomore put a no-look pass on the tape Brody Lamb in the high slot and the Byron, Minnesota native didn't miss the high glove for a 2-1 lead.

A big penalty and misbehavior from the Maroon and Gold on the next shift allowed the Spartans to draw despite wiping out more than three minutes of the men's lead. With less than a minute left in the major, MSU was called for another foul and the teams skated 4-on-4. The visitors thought they had taken the lead after 8:56, but the puck was knocked into the goal from above and waved away after a lengthy discussion by the officials.

After he got back to full strength, it was the edge work of Beckett Hendrickson allowing him to be inches away from putting the Gophers ahead again when his shot deflected off the crossbar. The offense continued to pressure the Spartans, leading to chances from Hendrickson and Rinzel before a too many man penalty gave MSU a 5-on-4 opportunity. Goalkeeper Nathan Airey made a dazzling glove save to prevent a goal and the action returned to level when another visiting penalty stopped the game. A whistle 17 seconds later helped the Spartans take a 4-on-3 lead and score their second power-play goal of the period. The visitors took a 3-2 lead into the locker room through two periods, but not before both teams were called for underage matches as the parade to the penalty area continued during a frame that included a total of 27 minutes of penalties.

The Gophers opened the final frame on a strong surge until their tired legs started to show, playing with just nine healthy forwards. Kurth was able to slip behind the MSU defense for a breakaway that was saved with the goalie's right pad seven minutes into the period. After the ensuing confrontation, the Spartans were awarded a heavy penalty, which brought the home crowd to life with the dangerous goal from behind. Minnesota's power play worked as a one-timer from Moore was kicked aside and a sharp corner bid from Kurth was blocked with the shoulder.

The momentum stayed with the Gophers and they finally capitalized at 11:06 of the third period. Mike Koster brought the puck through the neutral zone before making a pass along the blue line to Ziemer. The freshman kicked the pass up to his stick and cut to the middle of the ice, threading between two defenders before slipping a shot into the back of the net between the goalie's legs. After starting the game from his own crease, Airey registered his first collegiate point with an assist. The Spartans blew the final minute of the extended power play and neither side could score the winning goal late in the game as the teams skated to a 3-3 deadlock heading into overtime.

It was back and forth action throughout the entire extra five minute session as each team had good chances to finish the night. As they did throughout the match, it was the goalkeepers who were the stars of the show, breaking up every attempt before transitioning into a shootout. MSU scored twice and stopped both of Minnesota's bids to claim the win in the shootout.

Airey kept its undefeated streak alive and moved to 9-0-2 on the year after posting a 29-save effort on Friday.

Remarkable

Ziemer's opening goal was Minnesota's fastest this season and just his second at 3M Arena in Mariucci in 2024-25, before adding his first collegiate power-play tally in the third period… He has 10 points for the year as the 10th Gopher to reach double-digit scoring thanks to his first NCAA multi-goal performance… The freshman now has seven goals for the campaign, four of which were scored during a first period… Of four of the Gophers fastest goals of the year, Ziemer has been responsible for the last three as the team has scored four times in four minutes to start a game… Lamb has put away his team-leading 11th goal this season and now has 18 points, while snapping a two-game stretch without a point, his longest drought of the season… Snuggerud extended his conference-leading point total to 23 after an assist Friday and the junior has a point in three straight games… After a four – point weekend against Michigan, both Moore and Kurth collected helpers to reach 17 and 21 points respectively… Moore's assist pushed his scoring streak to four games behind his 50th career point at Minnesota, while Kurth now has a point in each of his last three… Koster tallied his fifth assist and sixth point of the year on the power play goal… The Gophers dropped a game for the first time when they scored on the man advantage after winning the first 10 games with a power play count … Minnesota entered the game as the seventh-least penalized team in the country, averaging just 6.8 per game, but were called for a season-high 23 penalty minutes Friday, 21 of which came in the second period alone. ..The Gophers fell to 4-21 all-time in shootouts, after losing nine in a row, and are just 2-16 in B1G shootouts…Minnesota has a 13-0-1 record this season in matches by finding the back of the net three or more times.

Comments from coach Motzko

“That was a great hockey game tonight; two heavyweights went at it,” Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. “I give credit to our guys. I just loved our heart and the fight tonight and the battle. The goaltenders were outstanding. Everyone was entertained tonight with an excellent game.”

Next: Home vs. Michigan State (December 14)

The Gophers close out the 2024 calendar year with the series finale against Michigan State on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 5pm on FOX9+ and streaming on B1G+, along with audio coverage on the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM/AM-1130 KTLK. After the game it will be Minnesota's annual Teddy Bear Toss and all stuffed animals will be donated to M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital. Donations MUST be new and placed in plastic bags before being thrown onto the ice.