Top-ranked Gophers remain undefeated with 4-1 win over Arizona State

The top-ranked Gopher men’s hockey program continued its winning ways on Sunday afternoon despite nearly a month-long break – taking down Arizona State 4-1 at 3M Arena at Mariucci in its first nonconference action of the season.

Minnesota (9-0-0 overall, 8-0-0-0-0-0 Big Ten) extended its winning streak to 11 games (dating back to the end of the 2019-20 season) despite surrendering a lead and allowing a power-play goal for the first time this season. Ten Gophers tallied points in the win with Sampo Ranta tallying his second career two-goal game to lead the way.

Arizona State (4-7-2) struck first in the first action of 2021 for both teams with a power-play goal from Matthew Kopperud at 4:53 of the opening period. Minnesota had played 484:53 this season without ever trailing before the Sun Devils goal while the Maroon & Gold surrendered a power-play tally for the first time in 18 chances this season.

The lead lasted until early in the second period when the Gophers proceeded to score three times in a five-minute stretch. Mike Koster found the equalizer with his second goal of the season and second in as many games at 2:58 of the second stanza with assists coming from Ben Meyers and Blake McLaughlin. Meyers has now tallied a point in a career-long seven games and has points in eight of nine contests this year.

Jonny Sorenson, who scored Minnesota’s first goal of the season and has been held without a point since, claimed the lead and the eventual game winner for the home squad with his second of the year at 5:10 after being set up by Sam Rossini and a returning Brannon McManus.

Ranta added his fifth goal of the year at 7:58 with assists from Mason Nevers and Scott Reedy to complete the three-goal run for the Gophers before adding his sixth of the year at 16:25 of the third period with assists from Reedy and Jack Perbix.

Jack LaFontaine (9-0-0) picked up his NCAA-best ninth win of the season for Minnesota, making 27 saves on 28 shots. The senior alternate captain has won 11-straight games for Minnesota dating back to last season and has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last 14 starts. Evan Debrouwer (3-5-1) took the loss with 29 saves on 33 shots.

The Gophers outshot the Sun Devils 33-28 while going 1-for-2 on the penalty kill and 0-for-4 on the power play.