Freshmen, Schierhorn Lead Gophers to 3-0 Victory

Freshmen, Schierhorn Lead Gophers to 3-0 Victory

MINNEAPOLIS – Rookie Nathan Burke’s first collegiate goal would have been enough on Saturday night, but the Maroon & Gold added two more including the freshman forward’s second of the year just to be sure as the No. 19 Gopher Hockey program picked up a 3-0 win over St. Lawrence at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

Minnesota (3-5-1 overall, 1-1-0-0 Big Ten) notched three even-strength goals from freshmen as Sammy Walker added a second insurance tally late in the third while Eric Schierhorn picked up his first win of the season and 12th career shutout in the series finale.

Schierhorn turned away all 12 shots he faced from the Saints to improve to 1-2-0 on the year and claim sole possession of third place on Minnesota’s all-time career shutouts list with 12. Only Kellen Briggs and Adam Wilcox have more all time for the Gophers, sharing the school record with 13 shutouts each. Emil Zetterquist took the loss for St. Lawrence, making 28 saves to fall to 1-1-0 on the year.

Burke’s opening goal came at 8:01 of the first period when the rookie forward tipped in a centering pass from Tyler Nanne. Blake McLaughlin started the tic-tac-toe strike for the second assist.

McLaughlin and Sammy Walker set up Burke’s second strike of the night – this time a dazzling spin-o-rama tally — when the all-freshmen line put the Gophers up by two at 7:43 of the second period.

Walker, who has now notched points in three-straight games for the Gophers, closed out the night with a breakaway tally for his second goal of the season at 16:31 of the third period. Tommy Novak set up the start of the play before Jack Sadek sprung Walker loose with a long pass down the middle of the ice.

Minnesota outshot St. Lawrence 31-12 on the night, the first time the Gophers have won when outshooting their opponents in four games this season. The Maroon & Gold have now outshot their foes in three-straight games. Both teams were unable to convert on the power play as Minnesota went 0-for-5 and St. Lawrence went 0-for-4.

The Gophers return to Big Ten action next weekend with a two-game series against Michigan State at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Tickets are available at MyGopherSports.com.