Box score

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Union (9-8-2) faced a challenging task even before its game against #3 Minnesota (10-5-4) started. With five players battling stomach flu, three of which were in the lineup, the Golden Gophers capitalized with five power play goals en route to handing the Dutchmen their third straight loss in an 8-0 defeat in the Dodge Holiday Classic at Mariucci Arena. Minnesota struck early, scoring two goals in the first 3:39 of the game on Union goaltender Kris Mayotte (Pittsburgh, PA). The senior finished with 35 saves for his fourth 30-save effort of the season.

Minnesota's power play went to work right away as Union hurt themselves after taking two penalties in the first two minutes of the game. The Gophers capitalized on both power play opportunities for a 2-0 lead through the first period. Ryan Potulny scored the first goal for the Golden Gophers at 1:14 during a shooting rush. Mayotte came up with two straight saves but could not stop Potulny's backdoor shot off the rebound.

 

Minnesota struck again at 3:39 for its second power play tally. This time it was Kris Chucko connecting for his third goal of the season. Potulny picked up the assist this time with a pass across the front of Union's goal. Chucko was waiting on the weak side where he sent a high shot back across and over Mayotte's left shoulder.

Minnesota added three more goals in the second period, two more on the power play, to make it 5-0. Sophomore Mike Howe accounted for two of those scores beginning with his first at 4:18. Ben Gordon got things started as he brought the puck up the left side on an odd-man rush. Howe was trailing in the middle and after taking the pass from Gordon, deposited his shot inside the right post and past Mayotte who was screened on the play. Howe added another goal in the third period to complete the hat trick. 

Danny Irmen scored the third power play goal for the Gophers at 9:00 with another shot to the right post. Chris Harrington sent the puck from the point down to Potulny on the right side. Potulny directed a quick pass across to Irmen who was waiting at the side of the net.

 

Howe added his second power play goal with a blast from the left face off circle that found the far side at 14:15. Howe was set up with a pass from the point by Derek Peltier.

 

Union came up with two prime scoring opportunities in the second period but hit the post both times. The first came early at 2:08. Torren Delforte (Shortsville, NY) rushed in on a breakaway and tried to go high on Minnesota goalie Kellen Briggs but hit the crossbar. Freshman Lane Caffaro (Slave Lake, ALB) had a short-handed chance in front at 8:37. Briggs once again received assistance, this time from the right post. Caffaro's momentum carried him into the goaltender, setting off a scrum at the end of the play resulting in a five-minute major for Caffaro.

Minnesota added three more goals in the third period. Howe's third goal of the game came at 14:12, just after a power play had expired for the Gophers, to make it 7-0. Peltier capped off the scoring with his first goal of the season coming on the power play at 18:20. Andy Sertich scored at 3:05 of the third for Minnesota's sixth goal.

 

Minnesota finished with a lopsided 12-2 advantage in power play opportunities. They outshot Union 43-20 for the game.

 

Briggs made 20 saves to backstop the Gophers to their third straight win.

Union will look to halt its three-game losing streak when if plays Canisius in the consolation game of the Dodge Holiday Classic at 4:07 p.m. CT, 5:07 ET.