COLUMBUS, Ohio (GopherSports.com) – A late Ohio State score proved the difference for the second-straight night as the Buckeyes defeated the Gophers 4-1 on Saturday.

Sophomore Mat Robson made his debut between the pipes for the Maroon & Gold, taking over for junior Eric Schierhorn, who had previously made 94 consecutive starts for Minnesota (10-8-1, 4-6-1 Big Ten), the fourth-longest such streak in NCAA history.

The Buckeyes tested Robson early as Ohio State held a 14-8 lead in shots after one while also taking a 1-0 lead to the locker room when Mason Jobst lifted a puck over Robson’s right shoulder at the 16:54 mark.

The Gophers’ offense came alive in the second period, out-shooting Ohio State 13-3 in the frame. Brent Gates Jr. received a bit of puck luck as Minnesota scored coming out of a power play when his pass attempt ricocheted off the skate of a Buckeye defender and just inside the near post before Sean Romeo could close the gap, scoring his sixth goal of the year. Casey Mittelstadt and Steve Johnson earned the assists on the play as the two teams were knotted at a goal apiece after one.
Despite the Gophers continuing to set the pace in the third while out-shooting Ohio State 13-9 in the period and 34-26 in the game, the Buckeyes’ Matt Miller broke up the tie, ripping a shot from just inside the blue line at the 14:47 mark of the third, which proved the game-winner. Minnesota pulled Robson with 1:17 remaining for an extra attacker, but Ohio State scored twice in the closing moments to finish off the series sweep.

 

More From KROC-AM