4th-ranked Gophers open season with 7-4 win over Mercyhurst

The No. 4 Minnesota men’s hockey team opened its 101st season of competition with a 7-4 win over Mercyhurst on Friday night.

The Gophers were led by three-point performances from Blake McLaughlin (one goal, two assists) and Ben Meyers (three assists) while Matthew Knies scored his first two collegiate goals.

Minnesota opened the night with a pair of power-play goals in the first period from Bryce Brodzinski and Mason Nevers before Mercyhurst tied up the season opener in the second period. Ryan Johnson reclaimed the lead late in the second before Minnesota exploded in the third period with two goals from Knies and one each from McLaughlin and Sammy Walker.

Jack LaFontaine earned the win for the Gophers with a 21-save performance.