Gophers force game three with 2-1 win against Notre Dame

The No. 19 Gopher Hockey program used a pair of goals from unlikely skaters on Saturday night to pick up a 2-1 win over Notre Dame at 3M Arena at Mariucci, forcing a deciding Game Three on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Minnesota (15-14-7) jumped out to a two-goal lead with tallies coming from Ryan Zuhlsdorf and Cullen Munson and then rode out a late push from the Irish (15-14-7) to even the series at one game each.

Zuhlsdorf snapped a 43-game goal drought with his first of the season and fourth career goal at 1:24 after being fed in the high slot and ripping a wrist shot past Cale Morris. Walker set up the senior defenseman’s goal while Blake McLaughlin also added an assist. The goal also marked the first time in Notre Dame’s three-year history in the Big Ten that the Irish have trailed in a Big Ten tournament game.

Munson added to the lead with his second goal of the season and second career goal at 3:27 of the third period, picking up his first career game-winning tally in the process. Jonny Sorenson and Joey Marooney earned assists on the deciding goal.

The Irish finally found a way behind Jack LaFontaine when Cam Morrison picked up a power-play tally at 10:14 of the third period, but Minnesota held Notre Dame out of the net for the rest of the night.

LaFontaine improved to 8-9-6 on the year with 30 saves on 31 shots and has now allowed two goals or less in each of the last four games. Cale Morris fell to 12-13-7 after making 18 saves on 20 shots for Notre Dame.
Minnesota was outshot 20-31 on the night.

(Courtesy: University of Minnesota)