Gophers beat Penn State 3-2 in Big Ten semifinals

Senior captain Sammy Walker scored with 2:34 left in the third period to give the Gophers men’s hockey team a 3-2 win over Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals Saturday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

The Gophers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal from Ben Meyers. Defenseman Jackson Lacombe made it 2-0 Minnesota with a goal just 33 seconds into the second period. Penn State answered with a pair of goals in the second period before Walker sent the Gophers fans home happy.

Justen Close made 28 saves for the Gophers.

Minnesota will host Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament championship game at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.