Bulldogs, Gophers Skate to 1-1 Tie

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

The University of Minnesota generated its most shots in over two seasons,  but it wasn’t enough to add another notch to an extensive unbeaten run over the University of Minnesota.

The No. 13 Gophers struck for three first-period goals Sunday night and went on prevail 7-4, snapping a nine-game winless skid (0-8-1) against their long-time interstate rivals.  The No. 1 Bulldogs put 46 shots on target (the last time they had more was when on March 25, 2016 when they finished with 56 in a 2-1 double overtime NCAA Northeast Regional triumph over Providence College)  and held host Minnesota to just 22, including just three in the second period.

Brothers (and freshmen linemates) Jackson and Noah Cates, accounted for three of the four UMD goals. Noah got the Bulldogs on the board midway through the second period when he unloaded a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot that beat Minnesota goalie Mat Robson. Jackson added a pair of third-period scores, the second of which came on the power play with 5:54 to go in regulation and closed out the night’s scoring.  Sophomore defenseman Mike Anderson also scored — on a one-timer from the top of the right circle at the 14:41 mark of the second period. That goal cut the Minnesota lead to 3-2, but the Gophers answered with a pair of goals within the next two minutes and never looked back.

Jackson Cates and sophomore defenseman Scott Perunovich both turned in two-point nights for the Bulldogs, who opened the home-and-home series by skating to a 1-1 overtime tie with the Gophers Saturday night in Duluth.

UMD netminder Hunter Shepard, making his 40th straight start, stopped 11 of 17 shots before being replaced 3:18 into the third period by fellow junior Nick Deery. Deery, who had last seen crease tim on Dec. 8, 2017, made four saves and allowed one goal.

The Bulldogs will remain on the road this Friday and Saturday (Oct. 12-13) when it takes on Michigan Tech University.