12/2 RECAP: Wisconsin's Jack Berry Stops 40 Shots, Gopher Comeback Attempt

One shot got saved.

Then another.

Then a third.

Minnesota’s final minute comeback came up a goal short. Making the start in place of Kyle Hayton, Jack Berry made a career-high 40 saves on Saturday. Berry stopped all 20 shots he faced in the third period to seal a 3-2 Wisconsin win and get the Badgers (10-7-2, 4-3-1-0 Big Ten) a series split.

“Last year (Berry) was a very confident, relaxed goaltender. Tonight even when things got crazy in front of the net, that’s his demeanor. He stepped up for us,” Wisconsin head coach Tony Granato said about Berry. “You can’t ask any more out of a goalie that’s only played four games.”

Berry’s three biggest saves came late — when they were needed most.

Having already having stopped a Jack Ramsey penalty shot in the first period, the sophomore goaltender shut down a Gopher power play and an extra attacker on the ice scenario during the final three minutes. Minnesota had multiple opportunities to tie the game earlier in the period before the final flurry.

He also got help. Steve Johnson’s shot was blocked by Wisconsin defenseman Peter Tischke, who followed up by getting in the crease to stop Tyler Sheehy’s attempt to once again play superhero at home.

“Obviously we were a little desperate to tie the game. Going down the line, especially in bigger games, we’re going to have to bury those and force overtime,” said Casey Mittelstadt. “It’s disappointing right now, but we’re going to have to learn from this.”

Left wide open on an early power play, Mittelstadt needed 3:01 to open the scoring for Minnesota (10-7-1, 4-5-1-1 Big Ten).

Matthew Freytag tied the game at one before Ramsey was hauled down on a shorthanded chance with 1:12 left in the first period. Head coach Don Lucia chose the penalty shot rather than a penalty in front of his home fans.

“How many times do the fans get to see a penalty shot? Probably the better percentage play is to take (Wisconsin) off the power play, but it’d probably have everyone in the building upset if we would have given them the power play opportunity,” he said.

Minnesota’s defense helped the penalty kill go 5 for 5 on Saturday and junior defenseman Jack Sadek scored to help put the Gophers ahead 2-1. Sadek beat Berry for his first goal of the season early in the second period.

“It felt really good. I needed one halfway through the season,” said Sadek. “Good pass by Gates there and just happy it went in.”

Wisconsin’s Seamus Malone tied the game six minutes later before Trent Frederic got the game-winning goal midway through the third period on Eric Schierhorn, who made 29 saves. Jake Linhart’s shot from the boards went off Frederic’s stick and a Gopher skate before the puck arrived at its final destination.

It proved to be the difference in a game and weekend where the seventh-ranked Gophers and No. 14 Badgers were even with one another. The two were tied after each of the first two periods and had the same 22 shots.

Each team leaves the weekend with three Big Ten points.

“Goaltenders played well. I think both teams really competed. We had an unbelievable push in the third period, but like a lot of times we couldn’t buy a goal,” said Lucia. “I thought we played way better tonight than we did last night, but we just couldn’t score.”

Minnesota, in second place 10 points back of Notre Dame and having played two more Big Ten conference games, finishes the first half of the season next weekend on the road at Ohio State.


Listen to the Cold Omaha Staff Pod!

Wild
Jack LaFontaine’s Departure Leaves the Gophers With A Goalie Problem
By Justin Wiggins - Jan 12, 2022
Q&A With Former U of M QB Adam Weber On the NCAA’s NIL Policy
By Rob Searles - Jul 8, 2021

Gophers Focused On Themselves as They Prep to Begin NCAA Tournament

“It’s business time. We’re here to win two games.” Those were the words of Gophers forward Sampo Ranta as he answered questions following Friday afternoon’s practice in […]

Continue Reading