In the final series of the first half of its schedule, Minnesota faced an unpredictable matchup against Michigan, given that both teams would be losing key players temporarily to the World Junior Championship, but Minnesota prevailed to extend its win streak to seven straight to open the season.

Ben Meyers put in the work against the Wolverines on Tuesday, assisting the first two goals of the game and also scoring the final goal of the night. In post-game media availability, Meyers said that after a scoreless first period, play opened up more as the game went on, allowing the Gophers to score.

“The first period, it was just two good teams playing really hard and there were a lot of experienced guys, so there wasn’t many turnovers and not a lot of offense… just stuck to the game plan,” he said.

Michigan’s only goal of the night came directly after Meyers’ 3-0 tally in the third, with Kent Johnson getting the Wolverines on the board.

Minnesota had five chances on the powerplay on Tuesday, and it once again found the back of the net with the man advantage, this time from a gritty Sampo Ranta rebound in front of the crease. Ranta’s goal in the second period was quickly followed up with one from Bryce Brodzinski, and after a scoreless first period Minnesota went into the locker room leading 2-0 at the second intermission.

After the game, head coach Bob Motzko told the media that the game was an important win.

“It wasn’t a pretty game for us, but we did enough good things that amount to a win, and that’s what is important….You add up those little things tonight, and that’s what led us to get the win tonight,” Motzko said. “But we have a chance to be better tomorrow too.”

Minnesota will face Michigan again Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the date of the game. The article has been updated with the correct date.