Gophers bounce back with wire-to-wire win over Spartans

No. 9 Minnesota took control early in Saturday's victory over No. 8 Michigan State.

The ninth-ranked Gophers men’s hockey team bounced back from a heartbreaking loss in Friday’s opener, taking control early and keeping its foot on the gas in a 5-1 win over No. 8 Michigan State Saturday afternoon in East Lansing, Mich.

It was clear that the Gophers (15-7-4) were motivated early coming off Friday night’s loss as Bryce Brodzinski scored a power-play goal less than five minutes into the first period for a 1-0 Minnesota lead. Just 1 minute, 22 seconds later, Aaron Huglin made it a two-goal advantage with a tip-in off a shot from Brody Lamb.

This time, the U didn’t let its two-goal lead slip away. Oliver Moore scored his first goal of the game, one of three for him on the weekend, making it a 3-0 game 4 minutes, 22 seconds into the second period. The Spartans (17-6-3) temporarily stopped the bleeding when Matt Basgall scored a power-play goal just under seven minutes later.

Justen Close had 24 saves on 25 Michigan State shots, including stops on a couple good Spartans looks in the third period, in his 54th career win. 

Spartans goalie Trey Augustine had 31 saves on 35 shots.

Minnesota outshot Michigan State 36-25. 

Moore scored his second goal of the game 11 minutes into the third period, giving the U a 4-1 advantage with nine minutes left that proved to be too much to overcome. Mason Nevers added an empty-net goal with 2 minutes, 44 seconds remaining. 

The Gophers return to action on Feb. 2-3 for a series against No. 3 Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. Both games are set for 7 p.m. puck drops.