Gophers Men’s Hockey Stuns No. 2 Michigan 4-2

Ann Arbor, MI – In a surprising turn of events, the Minnesota Gophers men’s hockey team defeated the No. 2 ranked Michigan Wolverines 4-2 on Thursday night at Yost Ice Arena. The victory came despite being outshot 39-15, with Gophers goaltender Luca Di Pasquo delivering a standout performance, making 37 saves.

Game Recap

The Gophers, who entered the game on a four-game winless streak, fell behind 1-0 in the first period. Brodie Ziemer evened the score in the second period, assisted by LJ Mooney and Luke Mittelstadt. Ziemer’s goal marked the 11th of his career scored at all seven Big Ten arenas, a feat previously achieved by Blake McLaughlin in the 2021-22 season.

Minnesota took the lead in the third period with a goal from LJ Mooney, his seventh of the season. Tanner Ludkte, an Omaha transfer, added another goal for the Gophers, increasing their lead to 3-1. Michigan managed to score once, but Brody Lamb sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, his 15th of the season.

Di Pasquo’s Standout Performance

Despite the significant shot disparity, the Gophers’ victory was largely attributed to the exceptional performance of goaltender Luca Di Pasquo. His 37 saves were crucial in holding off the Wolverines’ offensive pressure. Observers noted his performance was reminiscent of Connor Hellebuyck.

Team Record and Tournament Implications

With the win, Minnesota’s record improves to 11-19-2 overall and 7-13-1 in Big Ten play. While an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament appears unlikely, the Gophers remain in contention for the fifth seed in the Big Ten tournament. The team will face Michigan again on Friday night at 5 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network (BTN). They will conclude the regular season against No. 1 Michigan State at home next weekend.

Key Gophers Contributors

• Luca Di Pasquo: 37 saves
• Brodie Ziemer: One goal, 11th Gopher to score at all seven Big Ten arenas
• LJ Mooney: One goal, seventh of the season
• Tanner Ludkte: One goal, fifth of the season
• Brody Lamb: One goal (empty netter), 15th of the season
• Luke Mittelstadt: Two assists