Files from U of M Sports Information
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota used an explosive opening period to begin the season with a 6-0 exhibition victory over British Columbia at Mariucci Arena on Sunday night. Jake Hansen led the way for the Gophers with two goals and goaltenders Alex Kangas, Kent Patterson, and Jake Kremer combined for a 24-save shutout effort in the team's only tune-up before beginning regular season action next weekend.
"I thought our whole team played pretty well for our first exhibition game," coach Don Lucia said. "I just thought we had good confidence throughout the lineup."
The scoring started early when Jacob Cepis slid a shot past Thunderbird goalie
Graeme Gordon into the lower left corner 4:16 into the opening period.
The Gophers continued to carry the play in the first period and their hard work paid off when they scored three more goals in a 3:50 span midway through the frame. Just over eight minutes into the period, Hansen potted his first goal of the night off of a nifty deke after being sprung on a breakaway by Cade Fairchild.
Just over a minute later, Jay Barriball banked a pass off the side boards to Mike Hoeffel, who set up freshman Erik Haula in front of the net to make it 3-0. Tom Serratore padded the lead soon after by one-timing a pass from Taylor Matson over the shoulder of Graeme.
Alex Kangas stopped all eight shots he faced before being replaced by Kent Patterson in the second period.
The Thunderbirds came out harder in the second after a lackluster start, outshooting the Gophers 11-10, but Patterson stood tall in net. Patrick White added some insurance midway through the period by stuffing home a back-door pass from Cepis.
In the third period, Hansen netted his second goal of the night with a blast from the right faceoff dot to make it 6-0. Jake Kremer turned away all five shots he faced in the frame in relief of Patterson.
The Gopher power play was unable to capitalize on either of its two chances, but the penalty killing units, led by Matson, Serratore, Nick Larson, and Nate Condon shut British Columbia down on all four of its opportunities to help seal the victory.
The exhibition contest was Minnesota's first game of the year, but was the second game of a three game road trip for the Thunderbirds. British Columbia fell to Nebraska-Omaha 6-1 Saturday night after opening exhibition play with a sweep of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. They travel to Mankato on Monday to take on Minnesota State.
The Gophers will host Massachusetts next Friday and Saturday to open regular season play.
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