Watch: Gophers score on beautiful tic-tac-toe vs. Minnesota State

Matthew Knies scored a highlight-reel goal to put the Gophers on the board.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers and Mankato State Mavericks engaged in a battle for bragging rights at the Frozen Four. With a trip to the national championship on the line, there were sure to be some highlight-reel moments.

The Gophers lived up to that bill with their goal in the first period. Held without a shot through the midway point of the first period, a turnover by the Mavericks in the neutral zone sprang a 2-on-0 breakaway for Minnesota.

Matthew Knies and Bryce Brodzinski cashed in with a beautiful tic-tac-toe sequence that ended with Knies sending a rocket past Dryden McKay to give the Gophers the early lead.

This.

Is a work of art. @Matthew_Knies 🤝 @bbrodzyy pic.twitter.com/XAMRI0WX5Y

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 8, 2022

The goal was one of the few bursts of offense in the first period, which saw Minnesota State outshoot the Gophers 13-4.