The Gophers welcomed the Buckeyes to 3M Arena at Mariucci for another Big Ten Conference battle. Following the Gophers sweep of the University of Wisconsin last weekend, they lost momentum and fell to Ohio State University in both games.

Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said the team played the opposite of how they played the prior week. The Gophers lost Friday night 6-2 and Saturday night 2-1.

Freshman LJ Mooney’s seven-game goal streak was broken as he was pulled in the first period of Saturday's game due to an injury, leaving the Gophers without one of their strongest players.

Standout Performances

During game one, sophomore Brodie Ziemer extended his career-long goal scoring streak to 19 for the season, which ranks fifth nationally. OSU was called for having too many players on the ice during the first period, allowing for Minnesota’s mighty power play to attack. Ziemer got an early lead for the Gophers, but the Buckeyes retaliated by scoring four times within nine minutes.

The Buckeyes won an offensive zone face-off, then extended their lead 5-2. Freshman Teddy Townsend attempted to tie up the game but was halted twice in the middle of the period.

Senior Brody Lamb scored the sole goal of game two. Lamb’s rebound went into the net, but the Ohio State goaltender’s mask fell off, and the game was stopped. Lamb recovered quickly and sank the puck, tying the game 1-1.

The Gophers let another goal in and pulled the goaltender during the final 90 seconds of the game, attempting to tie the score. The buzzer sounded prematurely without cause, getting a vocal reaction from Minnesota fans. Lamb attempted a goal, but fell short, finalizing the 1-2 score.

Looking Forward

As the Gophers finish the remainder of the season, Motzko said the team has to get back to work on Monday and keep pushing forward. They need to find the intensity they brought against the Badgers the previous weekend.

This weekend, Feb. 13 and 14, the Gophers head to Indiana for a nonconference game against the University of Notre Dame.