STAR TRIBUNE'S THREE STARS
Gophers-St. Cloud State regional final recap
The Gophers improved on faceoffs after a rough opening period.
March 26, 2023 at 1:34AM
![Minnesota Gophers forward Logan Cooley (92) celebrated his go ahead goal in the second period. The University of Minnesota Gophers faced the St. Cloud State Huskies in an NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship second round game Saturday night, March 25, 2023 at Scheels Arena in Fargo, North Dakota. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/X55HK5WRZXJ5HYHHIFC63YZS7U.jpg?&w=712)
1. Logan Cooley, Gophers: The No. 3 overall draft pick of the Arizona Coyotes scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and won a faceoff to set up Jackson LaCombe's goal that put the Gophers up 3-1 in the third period.
2. Justen Close, Gophers: The goalie made 27 saves, including 13 in the third period as St. Cloud State tried to rally.
3. Jackson LaCombe, Gophers: The defenseman made the stretch pass to Cooley to give the Gophers the lead, and extended it to 3-1 with his third-period blast from the point.
BY THE NUMBERS
99 Career points for LaCombe.
12-4 St. Cloud State's advantage on faceoffs in the first period.
24-20 The Gophers' advantage in faceoffs in the final two periods.
ALL REGIONAL-TEAM
Bryce Brodzinski, F, Gophers
Logan Cooley, F, Gophers
Veeti Miettinen, F, St. Cloud State
Jack Peart, D, St. Cloud State
Jackson LaCombe, D, Gophers
Jaxon Castor, G, St. Cloud State
Most outstanding player: Brodzinski
Minnesota led by 12 in the second quarter but went on to its sixth loss in eight games.
