Minnesota Drops PSU Series Finale 3-2

Thirty-one seconds in the third period sunk the Gopher Hockey program on Saturday night as Penn State scored three unanswered goals including two in quick succession during the third period to earn a 3-2 Big Ten win at Pegula Ice Arena.

Minnesota (14-12-6 overall, 9-7-6-4 Big Ten) suffered just its third loss since Christmas despite jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.

The Gophers’ leading scorer – Sammy Walker – opened the night with his 11th goal of the year when the sophomore captain put home a rebound at 2:57 of the opening stanza. Bryce Brodzinski and Blake McLaughlin picked up assists. Jackson LaCombe added his second goal of the year at 18:45 with assists from Nathan Burke and Brannon McManus.

But Penn State (20-10-4, 12-8-4-1) chipped away at the lead with a goal from Evan Barratt at 12:18 of the second period before Nikita Pavlychev and Kevin Wall scored 31 seconds apart at 9:00 and 9:31 of the third period, respectively.

After Friday’s 3-3 overtime tie saw zero penalties between the two Big Ten foes, neither team could cash in on limited opportunities in the series finale. Minnesota went 0-for-3 on the night while Penn State was 0-for-1.

Jack LaFontaine fell to 7-7-5 on the season after making 39 saves in goal for the Gophers. Peyton Jones improved to 18-9-3 with a 21-save performance.

Penn State outshot Minnesota 42-23 in the series finale.