Michigan
5-4, 3-4-0-1-0B1G
Minnesota
7-0, 7-0-0-0-0B1G
Johnson's Nifty Goal not Enough as Michigan Falls to No. 4 Minnesota
12/8/2020 11:31:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Freshman Kent Johnson scored his second goal of the season in highlight-reel fashion.
» Strauss Mann stopped 28 of 31 shots that he faced in a losing effort.
» Michigan went 0-for-1 with the man-advantage, while Minnesota was 1-for-5.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: #4 Minnesota 3, #5 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (5-4-0, 3-4-0-1 B1G), Minnesota (7-0-0, 7-0-0-0 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, Dec. 9 -- vs. Minnesota (Yost Ice Arena), 6:30 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In a rare early-week tilt, the No. 5-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team fell to No. 4 Minnesota, 3-1, on Tuesday night (Dec. 8) inside Yost Ice Arena. The contest was the first meeting between the Wolverines and Gophers when both teams were ranked in the top five since Nov. 26, 2004, in the College Hockey Showcase.
Both teams got early chances, highlighted by Jack Summers nearly finishing off a slick passing play before launching a one-time blast off the post 3:30 into the first period. Several minutes later, Minnesota (7-0-0, 7-0-0-0 B1G) appeared to score, but U-M goaltender Strauss Mann was adamant that he had been obstructed. After a video review, the goal was waved off due to goaltender interference. Shots were 11-8 in Michigan's favor after one period of play.
In the second period, U-M took a slashing penalty at 5:51 to give Minnesota the first power play of the contest. The Wolverines killed it off with ease but were whistled for too many men on the ice at 8:18. Unlike its its first chance, Minnesota quickly capitalized on the man-advantage by burying a loose puck to open the scoring just 12 seconds into their second opportunity and pull ahead, 1-0. Later in the period, the Golden Gophers jammed home their second tally from the hard area in front of Mann's crease with 2:06 remaining. Shots were even at 22 apiece after two periods, but the Gophers took a 2-0 advantage into the second intermission.
Minnesota struck 3:42 into the third period to pull ahead, 3-0. Michigan (5-4-0, 3-4-0-1 Big Ten) answered back at the 4:16 mark. With Mann at the bench for an extra attacker due to a delayed penalty call on Minnesota, freshman forward Kent Johnson went for a skate in the opposing end before flipping a Gopher defender inside-out and depositing a gorgeous backhand shot over the left shoulder of Gophers goaltender Jack LaFontaine. Nick Blankenburg and Jack Summers were credited with assists.
The ensuing Michigan power play was unsuccessful, and that chance would prove to be their only opportunity of the night on the man-advantage. The rest of the game was marred by U-M penalties, with the home side being called for a second too many men infraction at 5:50 along with a slashing penalty at 11:05. Desperately searching for a second goal, U-M took one final penalty for boarding with 40.6 seconds left to close out the evening.
Mann stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced, and the Wolverines outshot the Gophers, 34-31.
Michigan and Minnesota will face off again on Wednesday (Dec. 9) in the series and first-half finale at Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the contest will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
