Nelson Lifts ‘U’ to 3-on-3 Bonus Point
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Jaxon Nelson’s first collegiate goal won’t officially count although that makes it no less impressive as the freshman forward dazzled for the 3-on-3 overtime winner on Friday night. Nelson’s tally secured the Big Ten bonus point for the Maroon & Gold while the game officially goes down as a 1-1 overtime tie.
After a scoreless first period, Minnesota (3-4-2 overall, 0-1-2-2 Big Ten) jumped out to a one-goal lead with Brannon McManus’ third goal of the year at 19:03 of the second stanza. Matt Staudacher and Sampo Ranta picked up assists on the goal. Michigan (3-4-2, 0-2-1-0) answered back with a goal from Jacob Hayhurst at 8:36 of the third period.
Nelson ended the second overtime session at the 2:52 mark with assists from Ryan Zuhlsdorf and Ryan Johnson. The statistics do not officially count towards season totals.
In goal, Jack LaFontaine made a season-high 33 saves for the Gophers, moving to 1-2-1 on the season in his return to Yost Ice Arena. The junior netminder spent two seasons on the Wolverines roster to start his career. Strauss Mann made 27 saves for Michigan, moving to 3-4-2 on the year.
Minnesota officially recorded 27 shots on goal in the tie (adding two more in the 3-3 overtime session) while Michigan ended the night with 34 shots on goal. The Gophers were 6-for-6 on the penalty kill but 0-for-3 on the power play.
Notable
The Maroon & Gold have now won two-straight 3-on-3 overtime contests in back-to-back Friday night contests after a 2-2 overtime tie with Notre Dame last Friday (Sammy Walker scored the 3-on-3 overtime goal for Minnesota in that contest). Zuhlsdorf has recorded assists on both 3-on-3 overtime goals for the Gophers this season.
Quotable
“He made a couple real critical saves…he made himself big, and he fought in there,” Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said of LaFontaine’s performance. “He gave us a chance tonight.”
Up Next: Michigan on the Road
The Gophers continue the 2019-20 season on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 4:00 p.m. CT with the series finale at Michigan (TV: Big Ten Network; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports App).