Gophers lose to Michigan; will open Big 10 tourney on home ice vs Notre Dame

MINNEAPOLIS – The Gopher men’s hockey team ended their regular season with a 2-1 loss to Michigan Saturday night, but will still get first round home ice in the Big Ten Tournament next week. The Gophers will host Notre Dame to open the  best-of-three quarterfinal series next weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

Saturday’s loss came after a scoreless first period, the two teams traded goals in the second period before Michigan (16-14-4 overall, 11-10-3-2 Big Ten) found the eventual game winner early in the third and then held on for the win.

Minnesota (14-13-7 overall, 9-8-7-4 Big Ten) picked up its lone goal at 13:35 of the second period as the sophomore deflected the puck into the net to snap a 22-game goal drought. Jack Perbix picked up an assist on the goal. Jack Becker opened the night with a goal for the Wolverines at 10:02 of the second period while Nick Granowicz scored the deciding goal at 2:13 of the third.

Jack LaFontaine fell to 7-8-6 on the year while making 28 saves for Minnesota, Strauss Mann made 27 saves for Michigan.

Fourth-seeded Minnesota will open the series against fifth-seeded Notre Dame with Game One on Friday, March 6 (TV: FOX Sports 2) followed by Game Two on Saturday, March 7 (TV: FOX Sports North). If necessary, Game Three will be played on Sunday, March 8 (TV: FOX Sports 2).