University of Minnesota Athletics

MINNEAPOLIS – Connor Kurth And Sam Rinzel Each scored three points, and the No. 5 Minnesota men's hockey team scored seven goals against St. Thomas in a 7-1 win in their home opener at 3M Arena in Mariucci on Friday night.

Despite allowing the first goal of the game for the first time this season, the Golden Gophers (4-1-0 overall) responded magnificently with the final seven tucks to defeat the Tommies (1-2-1 overall). Ten different skaters scored one point, while six scored multiple points, helping the Maroon and Gold to their seventh straight home win in the opener.

Two turnovers in the defensive zone early in the contest almost proved costly for the Gophers. The Tommies got a clear view of the goal where the goalkeeper was Nathan Airey was up to the task and turned off the visitors. That didn't last long, as seven minutes into the game, UST scored first, marking the first time the Maroon and Gold had trailed in a game this season.

The lead was short-lived as Minnesota responded at right back, scoring three goals over a 6:19 span to take a 3-1 lead. Ryan Chesley got the offensive going and scored the equalizer from the right circle to make it 11:13. The home team took the lead 76 seconds later August Falloon held his ground at the right post and finished off a rebound in the goal crease for his first collegiate goal. The Maroon and Gold continued to show their ability to strike quickly Connor Kurth scored the third goal of the semi-final thanks to a clever pass from behind the goal line Mike Koster with 2:28 remaining in the stanza.


Less than eight minutes into the second period, freshman Matthew Wood made it an unforgettable debut at the 3M Arena at Mariucci. After Koster forced a turnover, the junior tied up the puck and skated right past the UST defense before firing a shot into a tight, short window, extending Minnesota's lead to 4-1. With the Gophers holding the three-goal lead, they had to erase a penalty to keep the Tommies from gaining momentum and maintained their 4-1 lead through 40 minutes.


Minnesota drew its first power play of the night with 1:17 left in the final frame, but was unable to take advantage of the opportunity. After fending off a UST attack, the home team struck again, this time Rinzel joining the onslaught and scoring the Gophers' fifth goal of the night. However, the crime did not end there Brody Lamb Four minutes later, Chesley finished off a shot from the spot. Less than five minutes before the end of the game, Rinzel capped his three-pointer with a backhand close to the Tommies' net that put the finishing touches to the 7-1 victory.


Airey continued to have a strong performance between the goals for Minnesota, winning his fourth straight start to start his career. The sophomore finished the contest with 20 saves, allowing just one goal and is 3-0-0 on the year.



Remarkable
Rinzel extended his team-high point streak to all five games in the 2024-25 season and doubled his career goals with his fourth goal of the season, finishing with a career-best performance of plus-5… Chesley set a new season high in goals as a junior scored his third goal of the season in just the fifth game… He scored his second multi-point game this year, the fourth of his career, with an assist in the third period… For the first time in his young Gophers' career , in just his third appearance, Falloon scored and has two points as a freshman in his first NCAA game win…Falloon is the 14th different Minnesota skater to score a goal this season…Kurth increased his Team-leading points total, scored his fifth goal of the year before adding a pair of helpers, and has now reached double figures in points at 11…It was his third time scoring three or more points this season, one A feat he never achieved in either of his first two years on campus… After registering an assist in the first period, Wood scored his third goal of the campaign and made it four multi-point games while wearing the Maroon and Gold …For the second time in his last three games, Lamb found the net and increased his career points total to 40…Snuggerud continued to find his way onto the scoresheet, collecting two assists and scoring points in all three career appearances against the Tommies… With an assist, Aaron Huglen now has a point in all three Friday games this season… After collecting 11 of his 14 points at home a year ago, Koster continued that trend with two assists in Friday's home opener… Jimmy Clark He collected his seventh assist, setting a new career high. He extended his point streak to three games and led the team in winning 9 of 12 faceoffs…The Gophers scored their third straight series opener with seven goals in the 2024-25 season and are averaging 5, 4 goals per game…Minnesota is now 70-31-3 (.688) all-time in home openers, including seven straight wins, which is a program record.



Comments from coach Motzko
“The right guys got the puck and made plays tonight,” Minnesota head coach said Bob Motzko said. “We scored a few big goals but most of the games were 50/50. The coach in me thinks the game was close for the most part, with hard ice especially in the second third. Some of our big guys did it. “I made some great plays tonight and extended the game.”



Next: Away game vs. St. Thomas (Oct. 26)
The Gophers look to defeat the Tommies when the teams meet again Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center, airing on FOX9+. Wally Shaver and Eric Schierhorn are also on the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM/AM-1130 KTLK.