After taking the opener on Friday, No. 11 Penn State (2-2, 1-1 Big Ten) split the weekend series  with No. 7 Minnesota (2-2, 1-1 Big Ten) in Mariucci Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The Nittany Lions fell behind early and couldn’t keep up with the Golden Gophers despite multiple comeback attempts — losing 6-3.

How It Happened

Peyton Jones and the defense held strong in the first few minutes, but the Golden Gophers were able to sneak a goal through at 13:24 of the first period on a Casey Mittelstadt tip in front of the goal. With less than a minute to play in the first period Minnesota was able to make it 2-0 on a goal by Brent Gates.

At 1:53 in the second period, Alec Marsh cleaned up Andrew Sturtz’s rebound cutting the lead to 2-1. Penn State and Minnesota traded scoreless powerplays — keeping the score 2-1 until 15:28 in the second period when Minnesota scored on a 4-on-4 goal by Sam Rossini, making it 3-1 Minnesota. Penn State quickly followed the goal up with a goal of its own by Sturtz with 16:06 in the second period and make the deficit only one goal heading into the last period.

Minnesota scored quickly in the third period at the 1:43 mark on a goal by Steve McManus that went right by Jones’ glove to increase the lead to 4-2. At 8:12 in the third period, McManus increased the Golden Gopher’s lead to 5-2 with his second goal of the game.

Denis Smirnov cut the lead to 5-3 at 11:50 in the third with a powerplay goal from Erik Autio. On the powerplay at 16:09, McManus netted his hat-trick and once again increased Minnesota’s lead to three goals to 6-3.

Player Of The Game

Brannon McManus | Forward | Freshman

This Golden Gopher buried a hat trick to help Minnesota avenge on loss on Friday night to the Nittany Lions.

What’s Next

Penn State will play its home opener this Thursday in Pegula at 7 p.m. against American International. The game will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network Thursday night.