Denied a goal late, Gophers men's hockey comes through with 2-1 overtime win vs. Michigan

When the Gophers and Michigan met in a Big Ten hockey series in Ann Arbor in early December, Minnesota throttled the Wolverines by four goals in the opener, and the Wolverines returned the favor with a four-goal romp the following night.

Gophers coach Bob Motzko said he expected a tighter series this weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci, and Friday's game supported his opinion.

Ben Meyers' goal on a four-on-three power-play 1 minute, 9 seconds into overtime gave the No. 11-ranked Gophers a 2-1 victory over No. 3 Michigan, capping a rally in which Minnesota erased a third-period deficit and had a would-be, go-ahead goal waved off in the final 13 seconds.

Meyers' goal came on the fifth power play of the night for the Gophers (14-9, 28 points in the Big Ten). Minnesota had been in a 1-for-30 funk over the past seven games with the

man advantage before Meyers set off a celebration from the announced crowd of 8,204.

"[Chaz] Lucius sent it up top to [Jackson] LaCombe, and he just made a great no-look pass over to me," said Meyers, who notched his 10th goal of the season. "I had the whole net. I had the easy job."

The Gophers were on the power play in OT because Michigan defenseman Jacob Truscott boarded Mason Nevers late in the third period and received a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

"We played a complete hockey game tonight," Motzko said.

Dalton Duke scored in the second period for Michigan (18-7-1, 29 points Big Ten). Portillo made 23 saves as Michigan outshot Minnesota 27-25.

The Gophers appeared to take the lead with 12.1 seconds left in the third when the puck went off Blake McLaughlin's skate and past Portillo. A video review, however, ruled that McLaughlin used a distinct kicking motion, and the goal was wiped out.

BOXSCORE: Gophers 2, Michigan 1 (OT)

In a game that featured 25 NHL draft picks in the two lineups — 13 for Minnesota, 12 for Michigan — the Gophers and Wolverines played a tight, defensive game throughout. Michigan blocked 23 shots, the Gophers 15.

The Wolverines began to assert themselves in the second period, and Duke corralled a bouncing puck in the slot and fired it past Close for a 1-0 lead at 12:25. That's all the Wolverines would get against Close, who was making his third start since Jack LaFontaine signed with the Carolina Hurricanes.

"He's one heck of a goalie, and he's worked his tail off to be in that position," Knies said. "He deserves it, and he's definitely a reason why we won that game."

When Knies tied the score 1-1 in the third, Motzko could sense momentum changing.