Gophers hockey scorched 6-2 by Michigan in series opener

After Thursday's 6-2 loss to Michigan, Gophers forward Connor Reilly was asked what his team needed to repair to get a better result in Friday's rematch. Reilly took a long pause, then decided on a simple answer.

"I'd say everything," he said. "We were playing decent in the first half of the game, then we broke down at the end. We've got to respond [Friday]."

Teammate Steve Johnson was even more direct, saying the Gophers "just gave up" in the third period in a game that cost them the lead in the Big Ten standings. The sixth-ranked Wolverines took a 2-0 lead into the final period, then torched the Gophers for four goals in a span of 5 minutes, 18 seconds to take control of the series opener at Mariucci Arena.

Michigan's CCM line of Kyle Connor, JT Compher and Tyler Motte — the highest-scoring trio in college hockey — finished with two goals and three assists. But they didn't inflict the most damage. Alex Kile netted a hat trick, and goalie Steve Racine didn't allow a Gophers goal until 2:37 remained to give the Wolverines (20-4-5, 10-2-3-2 Big Ten) a two-point lead in the conference race.

The No. 20 Gophers (16-14, 11-4) outshot Michigan 33-24, but coach Don Lucia thought they played too cautiously and lacked any offensive spark. His players were most troubled by their third-period implosion, which eased Michigan's path to its 12th victory in 15 games.

"For us to just give up like that is unacceptable," said Johnson, whose goal at 17:23 of the third was followed by a Tommy Novak's at 18:28. "[Friday's rematch] is obviously the biggest game of the year. The biggest key for us is just to forget about this one and put it behind us."

The Gophers' top priority was to put the brakes on Michigan's powerful offense, which leads the nation with 4.8 goals per game. They allowed the Wolverines only 13 shots during 5-on-5 play and allowed the CCM line only one even-strength goal.

But the Gophers also knew they needed to avoid any costly gaffes and play with superb discipline — and both those areas cost them. Michigan scored its first goal when Gophers defenseman Ryan Collins mishandled the puck deep in his zone; Kile swooped in and stole it away, then flicked a shot past goalie Eric Schierhorn for a 1-0 lead midway through the first period.

The Wolverines also took advantage of four Gophers penalties to score two power-play goals, including one by Kile that gave them a 2-0 lead at the second intermission. The Gophers got some good chances early in the second period and outshot Michigan 15-8 in the third but could get nothing past Racine. Then they got sloppy — and Michigan pounced.

Connor scored on a power play at 11:54. At 14:52, Kile finished his hat trick after the Gophers failed to clear the puck out of their zone, and Max Shuart made it 5-0 when he victimized the Gophers on a bad line change. Connor got his second goal on a breakaway off a U turnover.

"We were lucky at times, and our goalie had to make a difference," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "They had all the momentum [in the second period]. They outplayed us, and we ended up scoring and taking a two-goal lead. That was huge."

Now, so is the series finale. Lucia hopes to see energy and commitment, Reilly better puck support and work ethic. And Johnson?

"We've just got to put tonight behind us and come out with a new attitude, new energy, new passion," he said. "And hope we come out with a victory."