Strong Start Propels Gophers to Sweep of Michigan State

Aware of the quick turnaround Saturday afternoon, Minnesota worked to avoid an early letdown against Michigan State in the team’s second game in less than 24 hours. The Gophers were prepared early and used a strong start to propel the team to a series sweep.

Minnesota scored twice in the game’s opening 10:15 while Eric Schierhorn made 21 saves to help lead his team to a 4-0 shutout win over the Spartans at Mariucci Arena.

With the victory, the Gophers (7-3-0, 3-1-0-0 Big Ten) have won four straight games after beginning the season with three split weekends. They are the first team this season to sweep a two-game series in Big Ten conference play.

“It feels good,” said Schierhorn, who got his 10th career shutout in his 50th career win. “We haven’t played the best in these four games, but if you’re winning nothing else matters. It’s good to know that we can win and not play our best. It’s good for our confidence.”

Two players in need of a confidence boost helped the Gophers by scoring their first goals of the season Saturday. Minnesota captain Tyler Sheehy gave the home crowd something to cheer about 51 seconds into the game when he put a Tommy Novak pass into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

It was the second consecutive night Michigan State (4-4-0, 0-2-0-0 Big Ten) trailed following the Gophers’ first shot of the game.

“It’s always nice to play with a lead. It’s an easier game. You get a couple goals and we haven’t given up many so far this year,” head coach Don Lucia said.

The Gophers kept momentum throughout the first period by controlling puck possession and pestering MSU goaltender John Lethemon with multiple chances in front of the Spartans net. Two of those opportunities came from Casey Mittelstadt.

Barely missing on the first, the freshman forward could not be denied on his second, sniping a wrist shot past Lethemon for his third goal of the season.

Sheehy nearly added his second moments later — hitting the crossbar — and the Gophers were in control of the game.

“Whenever you beat a team, they’re going to come out strong the next game. Coming out and getting a goal early was big for us,” said Sheehy. “We got the momentum right away and took off a little bit. We started the game with a lot of possession and things like that. It was a hot start for us.”

Tyler Nanne’s first collegiate goal midway through the second period ended the night of Lethemon, who finished with 9 saves on 12 shots. The sophomore defenseman waited at the point and unleashed a slap shot that could not be stopped.

“Coach Lucia especially told us to do all slapshots just to toughen up everyone in front of the net,” he said. “(The forwards) did a good job covering the goalie’s eyes. That was one of the keys to the weekend too.”

Leon Bristedt received a no-look pass from Brannon McManus and scored on Ed Minney, who made 14 saves in his first action since the opening game of the season.

Michigan State had 10 of its 21 shots during the third period, but Schierhorn stood tall. In two victories this weekend he stopped 45-of-46 shots faced.

“Our defense I thought played well all weekend,” said Schierhorn. “You see them bailing me out with blocked shots too. They’re fearless.”

Minnesota looks to continue its winning ways next weekend at Michigan. The Gophers travel to Ann Arbor for games Friday and Saturday. Friday’s puck drop is at 6:30 p.m.


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