Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. - No. 17 Minnesota posted a 2-0 win over Michigan Tech in the final game of the regular season Saturday (March 7). The Gophers (15-12-7, 12-11-5) finished with a slight advantage in shots, 25-21, over the Huskies (6-23-7, 2-19-7).

“I didn’t think our power play was sharp tonight. Flip it around I think we did much better defensively. Our back checking was much sounder and we had far fewer turnovers,” said head coach Jamie Russell. “They are a very talented team. Their first line is as good as any in the country and we held them to 25 shots on goal. I felt offensively we passed up a lot of opportunities. We had some opportunities where we could have created some more rebound chances and forced the goalie to make some saves who is struggling with his confidence.” 

The Gophers scored their first goal at 6:30 of the first period when freshman forward Jordan Schroeder sent a shot that hit the pipe and landed on the stick of junior winger Ryan Stoa who scored his 21st goal of the season. Senior R.J. Anderson also recorded an assist on the goal that would hold up as the game-winner.

In the second period, sophomore Patrick White sent a shot on net that was stopped by senior Robbie Nolan, but junior Tony Lucia was on the door step to put the rebound home for his ninth goal of the season. Freshman Aaron Ness also assisted on the power play goal at 5:25.

Neither team scored in the third period that featured 32 penalty minutes between the two schools.

Sophomore Alex Kangas (15-11-6) made 21 saves in the second shutout of his career.

Nolan (2-15-5) made 23 saves on 25 shots for the Huskies.

Michigan Tech will play at top-seed North Dakota March 13-15 in the first round of the WCHA Playoffs.