Gophers Lose to Mankato, May Fall Out of Rankings

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (GopherSports.com) – The No. 17 Gopher Hockey program fell 4-2 to top-ranked Minnesota State on Friday night at Xcel Energy, ending Minnesota’s hopes to repeat as champion in the second annual North Star College Cup.

In a matchup that saw both teams put 22 shots on goal, the Mavericks’ two unanswered goals at the end of the second period proved to be the tipping point in the battle between in-state rivals.

Minnesota (11-8-2 overall, 2-2-2-0 Big Ten) jumped out to an early lead when Seth Ambroz backhanded a rebound by Stephon Williams for his third goal of the season at 17:54 of the first stanza. Freshman defenseman Steve Johnson picked up his first point as a Gopher with an assist on the play while Leon Bristedt was also credited with an assist. Minnesota State (19-4-1, 15-2-1 WCHA)) knotted the game at 19:26 when Jon Jutzi and Matt Leitner set up Bryce Gervais. The Mavericks would then take the lead early in the second period when Gervais netted his second of the game with assists from Leitner and Casey Nelson.

But Minnesota would then answer the bell on a delayed penalty as Michael Brodzinski snuck a shot in the point at 6:50 with assists from Ryan Reilly and Brady Skjei for the sophomore defenseman’s third goal of the year.

MSU regained the lead at 10:13 of the second period when C.J. Franklin scored on a breakaway after being set up by Dylan Margonari and Casey Nelson. Minnesota State added to the lead just over five minutes later when Jon Jutzi scored his first of the year at 15:51 from Brad McClure and Gervais.

Adam Wilcox suffered the loss for the Gophers, making 18 saves to move to 11-7-2 on the year. Williams made 20 saves in the win for Minnesota State and moved to 15-3-1.

Minnesota will faceoff with Minnesota Duluth in the consolation final on Saturday at 4 p.m. while Minnesota State and Bemidji State will play in the North Star College Cup championship game at 7 p.m.