Gophers men's hockey beat St. Thomas 7-1

The Gophers men's hockey team started the party early and a little late and was still able to pull out a 7-1 win over nearby non-conference opponent St. Thomas on Friday at 3M Arena in Mariucci.

They were trailing just seven minutes ago and then scored the next – and final – seven goals of the game. It was their first time at home after four road games as they began their regular season in Las Vegas and Duluth.

Offensive-minded sophomore defenseman Sam Rinzel scored two goals and assisted on one goal, while Jimmy Snuggerud assisted twice and the former experimental line Connor Kurth-Jimmy Clark-Matthew Wood contributed to another four goals. Defenders Ryan Chesley and Mike Koster scored points in the penalty area and also provided offense in the defense.

“Well, the right guys got the puck and made plays tonight,” Gophers coach Bob Motzko said. “There are big goals out there. Some of our big guys made great plays and extended the game. In many games it was 50:50. The coach in me thinks the game was close for the most part, especially in the second third.”

The Gophers scored three goals in the first period and three more in the third, leaving them with just one goal in the second period.

They all did so in a game that strangely started at 5:30 p.m. due to homecoming festivities later that evening. When they returned from the road, a boisterous crowd of 9,716 fans awaited them, and around 7:30 p.m. they headed home.

“It was great, kind of weird, playing at 5:30 p.m.,” Motzko said. “Maybe you can sleep well tonight.”

The Gophers went 4-1-0 in non-conference play on Friday, their only loss being a 2-1 overtime loss to Nebraska-Omaha in the desert two weeks ago. The Tommies, voted to win the CCHA in the coaches' poll, are 1-2-1.