Gophers and North Dakota Skate to 5-5 Tie

MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) – Tommy Novak tallied a career-high three points including an extra-attacker goal with 1:17 to play as the No. 13 Gopher Hockey program skated to a 5-5 overtime tie with No. 3 North Dakota at Mariucci Arena.

The Gophers, who rallied from deficits four times in the draw, have now tallied three extra-attacker goals in the last two games – both overtime ties against nationally ranked opponents.

With two goals and an assist, Novak led the way for Minnesota (3-2-2 overall, 0-0-0-0 Big Ten) while Mike Szmatula (two assists), Vinni Lettieri (one goal, one assist) and Tyler Sheehy (one goal, one assist) also tallied multi-point games.

After falling behind by two goals in the first 10 minutes, Minnesota’s power play came alive in the second half of the opening period with a pair of goals on the advantage. Lettieri scored at 11:12 to make it a one-goal game and Novak added his first of the night at 17:56.

Following a scoreless second period, the two teams combined for six goals in the third. After UND scored in the opening minute, Sheehy’s power-play tally made it 3-3 and Brent Gates Jr. rallied the Maroon & Gold once again at 14:45 with his fourth of the year – a new career high for the sophomore.

North Dakota (5-2-1, 0-2-0 NCHC) looked to pick up the win with a goal at 18:01 of the third, but Novak’s extra-attacker goal at 18:43 capped the night’s scoring and sent the contest into a scoreless overtime.

Minnesota outshout UND 37-22 on the night while going 3-for-8 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill. Eric Schierhorn made 17 saves in net for Minnesota.