Late power-play goal leads Gophers past Penn State

A Mason Nevers power-play goal in the third period helped the Gopher men’s hockey team defeat Penn State 4-2 Saturday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

Minnesota fell behind 1-0 in the second period when Jimmy Dowd Jr. scored for the Nittany Lions. Dowd’s father played for the Minnesota Wild from 2000 to 2004.

The Gophers got the equalizer with 8:09 left in the second when Sammy Walker scored the first of his two goals of the game. Minnesota then took the lead in third period when freshman Matthew Knies scored on the power play. It was Knies’ team-leading seventh goal of the year.

Kevin Wall tied it at 2-2 for Penn State with 7:36 remaining in regulation.

The Gophers took the lead for good with 5:11 left in the third when Brock Faber’s shot from the point was deflected in by Nevers. Minnesota had a two-man advantage at the time of the goal. Walker then added an empty-net goal for the 4-2 final score.

Pat LaFontaine made 35 saves for the Golden Gophers.