Gophers are Golden at The Garden
NEW YORK – Playing in the “World’s Most Famous Arena”, the No. 13/14 Gopher Hockey program completed a weekend sweep over Michigan State with a 2-1 win on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Brent Gates Jr. and Casey Mittelstadt led the way with a goal and an assist each for Minnesota (15-12-1 overall, 6-9-1-1 Big Ten) while Mat Robson improved to 3-1-0 on the year while making 19 saves on 20 shots.
Playing in his 100th career game, Gates slammed home a bouncing puck in front of the net at 16:31 of the third period to shatter a 1-1 tie between the two Big Ten rivals. Jack Ramsey and Mittelstadt set up the deciding goal for the Maroon & Gold.
Gates and Mittelstadt previously matched up for the game’s opening goal at 11:23 of the first period when Gates snuck a pass through a seam and onto Mittelstadt’s stick for the rookie’s seventh of the year. Ryan Zuhlsdorf also picked up an assist on the goal.
Cody Milan scored the lone goal for Michigan State (9-16-1, 3-12-1-1) at 8:22 of the third period.
Minnesota outshot the Spartans 22-20 on the night while the penalty kill went 3-for-3. The Gophers power play was 0-for-4 in the contest.
The Gophers return home next weekend with a Big Ten series against No. 1 Notre Dame at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Single-game tickets, season tickets and flexible Pick-Your-Packs are currently available at GopherSports.com, by calling 1-800-U-Gopher or by stopping by the ticket office at 3M Arena at Mariucci.