Grant_Erickson
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The Gophers made it look easy on Friday night as they dispatched the Ohio State Buckeyes, 4-2. Justin Kloos got back on track as Minnesota played a complete team game en route to the victory.
Kloos Breaks Out
No player in the Maroon and Gold has been more snakebit than Justin Kloos. The sophomore forward has had numerous opportunities in the past few weeks and just hasn’t been able to convert. A few minutes into the first, Kloos threaded a PERFECT cross-ice pass to Leon Bristedt who smashed it home on the powerplay. You could tell Kloos wanted to throw the pass for a couple seconds and when he finally fired it, wow, pretty. Kloos added to the lead as he picked up a juicy rebound and easily put it past goalie, Christian Frey. Getting back to his scoring ways was important for the Lakeville native.
“The most frustrating part is a lot of those games, I missed those gimmees, we ended up losing by one or tying,” said Kloos. “That was the most frustrating part. It was good to help the team win. It was a big Friday night win with a chance to sweep tomorrow.”
The Minnesota coaches knew that they needed more out of one of their best goal scorers.
“Justin needed to score goals,” said Don Lucia. “It’s been awhile.”
Powerplay Dominates
The Gophers were able to make the most of their chances with the extra man, tallying two goals on the powerplay and a third just as a penalty expired. Travis Boyd scored Minnesota’s second of the game with an absolute snipe with the man advantage. Those are the type of shots you dream about as a kid; right under the bar and in the back of the net before the goalie even knows it. Success on the powerplay was huge for the Gophers in establishing, and then maintaining, the lead.
“Obviously you can’t put this team on the powerplay,” said Ohio State head coach, Steve Rohlik. “They’re number one in the Big Ten for a reason. When you put all that skill and take a guy away…they basically had three powerplay goals.”
Boyd’s goal gave the Gophers a two-goal lead and would eventually be the game winner.
“You need some separation goals,” said Lucia. “The third goal is that separation goal. More often than not, the first one to three wins.”
Shutdown Defense
One of the big reasons for the win was the play of Minnesota’s defense, as well as Adam Wilcox. Wilcox allowed two goals but made some big saves when he had to.
“He had a good, solid game,” said Lucia. “…Adam looked in control and real solid tonight.”
The Gophers’ defense has been inconsistent this year; making mental mistakes that have led to easy goals. On Friday, Minnesota’s team defense was impressive, holding Ohio State to just 23 shots on net and limiting scoring chances.
“We didn’t give up a lot of odd-man rushes tonight so we did a good job defensively,” said Lucia.
By the Numbers
6 Combined points for Minnesota’s third line of Taylor Cammarata, Justin Kloos, and Vinni Lettieri.
2 Powerplay goals on four attempts for the Gophers.
19 Shot differential in favor of the Gophers who dominated possession throughout.
Three Stars of the Game
#3 Taylor Cammarata picked up two helpers on the game.
#2 Vinni Lettieri recorded a goal and an assist.
#1 Justin Kloos got the scoring started with a goal and an assist on Minnesota’s first two tallies.
What’s Next
The Gophers will look to complete the sweep of the Buckeyes at 7:05 tomorrow evening. The game can be seen on FSN+ or heard on ESPN 1500.
Kloos Breaks Out
No player in the Maroon and Gold has been more snakebit than Justin Kloos. The sophomore forward has had numerous opportunities in the past few weeks and just hasn’t been able to convert. A few minutes into the first, Kloos threaded a PERFECT cross-ice pass to Leon Bristedt who smashed it home on the powerplay. You could tell Kloos wanted to throw the pass for a couple seconds and when he finally fired it, wow, pretty. Kloos added to the lead as he picked up a juicy rebound and easily put it past goalie, Christian Frey. Getting back to his scoring ways was important for the Lakeville native.
“The most frustrating part is a lot of those games, I missed those gimmees, we ended up losing by one or tying,” said Kloos. “That was the most frustrating part. It was good to help the team win. It was a big Friday night win with a chance to sweep tomorrow.”
The Minnesota coaches knew that they needed more out of one of their best goal scorers.
“Justin needed to score goals,” said Don Lucia. “It’s been awhile.”
Powerplay Dominates
The Gophers were able to make the most of their chances with the extra man, tallying two goals on the powerplay and a third just as a penalty expired. Travis Boyd scored Minnesota’s second of the game with an absolute snipe with the man advantage. Those are the type of shots you dream about as a kid; right under the bar and in the back of the net before the goalie even knows it. Success on the powerplay was huge for the Gophers in establishing, and then maintaining, the lead.
“Obviously you can’t put this team on the powerplay,” said Ohio State head coach, Steve Rohlik. “They’re number one in the Big Ten for a reason. When you put all that skill and take a guy away…they basically had three powerplay goals.”
Boyd’s goal gave the Gophers a two-goal lead and would eventually be the game winner.
“You need some separation goals,” said Lucia. “The third goal is that separation goal. More often than not, the first one to three wins.”
Shutdown Defense
One of the big reasons for the win was the play of Minnesota’s defense, as well as Adam Wilcox. Wilcox allowed two goals but made some big saves when he had to.
“He had a good, solid game,” said Lucia. “…Adam looked in control and real solid tonight.”
The Gophers’ defense has been inconsistent this year; making mental mistakes that have led to easy goals. On Friday, Minnesota’s team defense was impressive, holding Ohio State to just 23 shots on net and limiting scoring chances.
“We didn’t give up a lot of odd-man rushes tonight so we did a good job defensively,” said Lucia.
By the Numbers
6 Combined points for Minnesota’s third line of Taylor Cammarata, Justin Kloos, and Vinni Lettieri.
2 Powerplay goals on four attempts for the Gophers.
19 Shot differential in favor of the Gophers who dominated possession throughout.
Three Stars of the Game
#3 Taylor Cammarata picked up two helpers on the game.
#2 Vinni Lettieri recorded a goal and an assist.
#1 Justin Kloos got the scoring started with a goal and an assist on Minnesota’s first two tallies.
What’s Next
The Gophers will look to complete the sweep of the Buckeyes at 7:05 tomorrow evening. The game can be seen on FSN+ or heard on ESPN 1500.