The No. 7 University of Minnesota (3-2-1 overall, 3-1-0 WCHA) men’s hockey team spoiled St. Cloud State University’s (2-3-1 overall, 1-2-1 WCHA) hopes for a weekend sweep, as the Gophers posted a 3-1 win at the National Hockey Center on Saturday.
Minnesota scored three in the second period to ice the contest, as the Gophers outshot the Huskies 42-21 in the match. A lone goal by SCSU sophomore defender Aaron Brocklehurst on the power play in the third period was the game’s bright spot for the Huskies.
UM’s Ryan Potulny started the offense up with a power-play goal at 3:41 of the second as Kris Chucko and Chris Harrington carded assists. Phil Kessel pushed the score to 2-0 with a shorthanded effort at 6:54 with an assist from Potulny. Minnesota struck again on the power play at 10:19 as Mike Vanelli charted his first goal of the season with assists from Derek Peltier and Andy Sertich.
In the third period, Brocklehurst broke the shutout attempt by UM goalie Jeff Frazee with a power play goal at 13:56. Rookie forward John Swanson gained his first collegiate point with an assist on the play. Sophomore forward Nate Dey added the second assist on Brocklehurst’s goal, which was his first of the 2005-06 season.
In the nets, Frazee charted 20 saves and the victory. SCSU junior Bobby Goepfert had 39 saves in the contest. Of note, Goepfert was busy this weekend as he chalked up 76 saves in the two games. He started the weekend with a 3-2 win over the Gophers, which included 37 saves to his credit.
The Huskies were 1-of-6 on the power play, and Minnesota was 2-of-8 on the power play in the game.
SCSU will hit the road next weekend as the Huskies will play a two-game set at Colorado College on Nov. 4-5 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Minnesota will travel to Minnesota-Duluth to take on the Bulldogs.
