No. 10 Buckeyes Drop Series Finale to No. 8/7 Gophers, 2-0

Ohio State opens home slate Saturday and Sunday in Value City Arena

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 10-ranked Ohio State men’s hockey team lost game two at No. 8/7 Minnesota, 2-0, in 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis Tuesday. The series was the first of the season for the Buckeyes, who fall to 0-2-0 overall (0-2-0-0-0-0 B1G), while Minnesota improves to 4-0-0 overall and in league play with a second straight sweep.

 

Senior goalie Tommy Nappier had 33 saves to lead the Buckeyes, who were outshot 35-22. Minnesota scored early in the first period and carried the one-goal lead until past the midway point of the third period. Ohio State’s penalty kill was 4-for-4 in the contest, including on an extended 5-on-3.

 

Up next, Ohio State will open the home portion of its schedule with two games vs. Michigan State this weekend. Puck drop is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Value City Arena, with the games streamed through BTN+ and on Ohio State Radio.

 

Quoting Buckeye head coach Steve Rohlik

“This was another hard-fought battle, we just came up short. We missed on some good opportunities. Nappier gave us a chance throughout the game. We’ll head back home, have a day off and a few days of practice before we get right back at it vs. Michigan State.”

 

Ohio State vs. Minnesota

In the First … Minnesota scored early in the period, with Scott Reedy tallying at 1:53. Shots were 15-6 in favor of the Gophers, who had the only power play of the stanza.

 

In the Second … The teams combined for 19 shots on net – 10 for the Gophers, nine for the Buckeyes – but no goals in the middle period. The Buckeyes killed one Minnesota power play chance.

 

In the Third … At 11:54 Minnesota gained a two-goal edge, with Nathan Burke scoring from in close on a rebound of a blocked shot. The Gophers had the edge in shots, 10-7, in the stanza and had two power play chances, including an extended 5-on-3.

 

Shots … The Buckeyes were outshot, 35-22, in the game. Senior goalie Tommy Nappier had 33 stops in 57:17 for Ohio State. Minnesota’s Jack LaFontaine stopped all 22 shots he faced for the shutout. It was the first time the Buckeyes were shut out on the road since Oct. 10, 2015 at Bowling Green and the first time the team was shut out overall since March 29, 2019 vs. Denver in the NCAA Tournament.

 

The Buckeyes blocked 18 Gopher shot attempts, with James Marooney and Evan McIntyre leading the way with three each and Matt Cassidy and Grant Gabriele each blocking two.

 

Special Teams … The Buckeye penalty kill was 4-for-4 against the Gophers. Ohio State did not have a power play opportunity.