Gophers men's hockey begins season with 7-4 victory over Mercyhurst

The Gophers were all revved up to open their men's hockey season last weekend, until Alaska killed the engine by postponing the series to January because COVID-19 concerns within its program.

Gophers coach Bob Motzko was worried earlier this week his players might struggle to remount that excitement against Mercyhurst. But it turns out his team overcorrected, becoming so hyped that the third period of the Gophers' 7-4 victory Friday looked similar to a high-speed, back-and-forth ping pong match.

"We were amped up," Motzko said, "And played not a real smart game."

But it was exciting for the announced 6,372 fans in attendance at 3M Arena at Mariucci, back after a season away because of the pandemic to provide the rowdiest atmosphere the team had experienced in more than a year.

That was all brand new for the four freshman forwards suiting up for the first time, but it was the all-experienced defense that seemed to have the most lapses. Motzko pointed out the several turnovers given up to Mercyhurst as well as his defensemen trying to do too much and being "cute" as some of the glaring mistakes.

"This is what happens when sometimes you start a year with a lot of success a year ago," Motzko said, referring to the Gophers' making it all the way to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2021. "And you just think, 'Well, not only are we going to pick up where we left off, but we're going to be better.' And you forget that this is a hard game to play."

Because the defense played a bit too offensively, goaltender Jack LaFontaine had to work for each of his 21 saves. The four goals he did let in were difficult ones. Carson Briere batted a popped-up puck in mid-air past LaFontaine's shoulder, and Dante Sheriff benefitted from the Gophers' penalty-kill breakdown in the second period. The two third-period strikes from Rylee St. Onge and Cade Townsend were off breakaways.

While the defense has some settling down to do, the Gophers offense proved a lot, outshooting Mercyhurst 46-25. The freshmen forwards looked strong, with Tristan Broz and Chaz Lucius both picking up power-play assists while Matthew Knies scored his first two goals in the Gophers jersey.

Knies recalled having chills before the game and worrying about tripping over his stick from his nerves. But his memory failed him when it came to his goals.

"I was kind of hallucinating, fainted a little bit," Knies said. "It was pretty exciting. The crowd got loud. I didn't really know what to think."

The upperclassmen also stepped up when needed in a hectic game. Senior linemates Blake McLaughlin and Sammy Walker both scored and assisted each other to help fend off Mercyhurst's push for the lead.

"Me and Walks love that transition hockey," McLaughlin said. "I think it was just us catching our fast breaks, and Walks using his speed to get around guys."

Junior Ben Meyers ended the game with three assists, setting up both of Knies' goals as well as Ryan Johnson in the second period.

The veterans and rookies mixed on the three power-play units and went 2-for-5 with 11 shots. Improving that area of the game has been one of Motzko's main aims early this season, and the Gophers scored with the man advantage for its first two goals, from Bryce Brodzinski and Mason Nevers.

The Gophers will have a chance to clean up their performance in a rematch 5 p.m. Saturday. But even if Game 1 was a little all over the place, it was still a much-needed W.

"You get that first one, you feel great," Motzko said. "And you can move on."