Penn State was held to 29 shots, the fewest the team has had in a
game all season.

No. 7 Minnesota (16-7-2) (7-2-0 Big Ten) defeated No. 6 Penn
State (16-5-2) (5-3-1 Big Ten) 5-1 Friday night at Mariucci Arena.

“I thought we played really well,” said head coach Don Lucia. “It
was just a good, hard-fought win like we knew it would have to be.”

The Gophers’ fifth-ranked offense came alive Friday and scored
five goals, four of which were scored at even strength.

The eventual game-winner was from forward Rem Pitlick, who scored
less than a minute into the second period.

“Just right place at the right time,” Pitlick said. “[I was] the
beneficiary of Tyler [Sheehy] and Justin [Kloos] making good plays, so I was
lucky to be there.”

Pitlick scored two goals in front of the net Friday to bring his
season total to five.

Minnesota’s top line also converted for another goal with a
two-on-one passing play between Sheehy and Kloos, that goal was scored with only
five seconds left in the second period, and gave the home team a 4-1 lead.

Another impressive line for the Gophers consisted of forwards
Leon Bristedt, Vinni Lettieri and Taylor Cammarata.

Lettieri scored a goal, and the line had numerous chances from
all three players in the game.

Minnesota’s defense came up big Friday and held Penn State to a
single goal and only 29 shots, the team’s lowest all season.

 “Our [defensive] core
played really well tonight,” said defenseman Jake Bischoff. “We were able to
deflect everything out of the middle, limit their shots, and I’m really happy
with how the [defense was] able to play.”

Bischoff also had three assists on the night to mark a career high for points in a game.

Goaltender Eric Schierhorn collected another win, stopping 28 of
the 29 shots he saw.

Minnesota and Penn State face off again Saturday in another Big
Ten showdown.