Top-ranked Minnesota defeated Boston University 6-2 in Thursday’s NCAA men’s Frozen Four semifinal to reach its first national championship game since 2014. Here’s what you need to know:
- Tied 2-2 after two periods, Gophers defenseman Luke Mittelstadt scored a pair of goals early in the third to put Minnesota ahead.
- Star forward Logan Cooley sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 2:41 remaining and added a second less than a minute later.
- Minnesota will face Quinnipiac in this year’s national championship game on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Gophers kept their composure
This one had an eerie feel for the Gophers for half the game.
They hit the post three times. They had one goal — by Cooley — overturned by review for goaltender interference. Another potential goal appeared to be just over the goal line, but was smothered just in time by goalie Drew Commesso. They squandered two minutes of 5-on-3 time.
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But give Minnesota credit for keeping its composure, not letting frustration take over. The team got the two goals — both by Mittelstadt — that it needed early in the third and that was it.
“You can’t really let your frustration get to you, especially games like this,” Cooley said. “Just stay even-keeled, stay positive on the bench and I thought we did that today.” — Smith
Assessing Minnesota’s top line
It’s a testament to how deep this Gophers team is that their top stars didn’t make a big impact on the scoresheet until the game was in control (Cooley had an assist and two empty-netters), yet the club still racked up six goals. The line of Cooley, Matthew Knies and Jimmy Snuggerud was dynamic and created a lot, but they weren’t able to finish.
Brock Faber didn’t score, but one of his best friends and roommate — Mike Koster — did, picking up two points. Mittelstadt, the freshman defenseman, was the unlikely hero with two goals. — Smith
Goaltending gave BU a chance
Commesso gave the Terriers a chance, especially early on, when he was under siege. The fact this was a 2-2 game entering the third period had a lot to do with the junior goaltender (and Blackhawks prospect).
Sure, the post helped him out too, but his ability to cover Bryce Brodzinski’s rebound just in time late in the second looked like it would turn the game. The Terriers’ biggest star, freshman defenseman Lane Hutson, was as advertised. — Smith
Terriers doomed by penalties
BU’s downfall was the amount of penalties they took. You can’t give those kinds of chances to this elite of a power play group in Minnesota.
The Gophers scored three with the man advantage, their first three of the game. Not only did the Gophers capitalize, but it also kept the Terriers’ top offensive players off the ice when they were killing so many penalties.
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That included with six minutes left in the game, the Terriers trying to overcome a two-goal deficit, and they took another penalty. It was a fitting end to the night. — Smith
Huglen’s highlight-reel assist
It was just after lunchtime Thursday afternoon when Aaron Huglen got a text message from linemate Rhett Pitlick.
“Check this out.”
Pitlick, the sophomore winger, was watching Sidney Crosby highlights on his phone and saw an intriguing one. Crosby went backdoor on a power play, and a teammate found him with a creative pass.
“Let’s give it a shot,” Huglen replied.
Little did they know they’d have the opportunity to pull off the Frozen Four semifinals highlight-reel play. It was late in the first period against BU and Minnesota was on the power play. Huglen got the puck down low. He had told Pitlick if he wasn’t open, to go backdoor. They’d try the Crosby play.
Huglen did the behind-the-back, through-his-legs pass and Pitlick finished.
“It worked out perfect,” Pitlick said. — Smith
NSFW warning on this feed by @aaronhuglen_8 pic.twitter.com/4QatugXXh2
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 6, 2023
Backstory
Cooley and Knies were named as two of the three finalists for the 2023 Hobey Baker Award last week, along with Michigan freshman center Adam Fantilli. The pair is part of the highest-scoring line in college hockey this season. Entering Thursday, Cooley’s 57 points (20 goals, 37 assists) ranked second in the nation while Knies owned a team-high 21 goals and earned 2022-23 Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
The Gophers (29-9-1) toppled Canisius 9-2 and St. Cloud State 4-1 in the first two rounds to reach Thursday’s semifinal. Minnesota is in search of its first national title since 2003.
Highlights of the game
MITTELSNIPE pic.twitter.com/zpPxJCExNB
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 6, 2023
MITTELSTADT MASTERCLASS pic.twitter.com/VeXfA29Gpd
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 6, 2023
Required reading
- Brock Faber, the Frozen Four and a shot at a Minnesota ‘dream come true’ before joining the Wild
- Devils’ trio of Michigan defense prospects reach Frozen Four stage
- Ranking the top 50 drafted NHL prospects: Logan Cooley leads Scott Wheeler’s 2023 list
(Photo: Ray Seebeck / USA Today)