Gophers skate to 2-2 tie with Boston College; win in shootout

The No. 12 Golden Gophers men’s hockey team skated to a 2-2 draw with No. 11/10 Boston College from 3M Arena at Mariucci Friday night. Javon Moore and Brodie Ziemer scored in regulation before LJ Mooney and Tanner Ludtke found the back of the net to claim the non-conference shootout victory.

Nathan Airey had another impressive outing in goal for Minnesota (1-2-1 overall, 0-0-0 B1G), finishing with 29 saves against the Eagles (1-1-1 overall, 0-0-0 Hockey East). The junior also stopped both BC attempts in the shootout.

From the outside, the Gophers’ celebration after winning the shootout may have seemed excessive, but for the Maroon and Gold faithful, the moment was a long time coming. The team had missed its previous 28 shootout attempts and lost 11-consecutive shootouts dating back to February of 2020 at Notre Dame. Mooney snapped the streak on the first attempt of 2025-26 and Ludtke ripped home the winner.

The home side had to weather early pressure from Boston College and Airey delivered five saves in the opening five minutes. After holding off the surge, the Gophers thought they took the lead at the 12:58 mark, only to have the goal waved off and a penalty called instead. Momentum immediately shifted to the visitors as they converted the man advantage on a one-timer from the left circle.

Minnesota quickly answered to pull even with 6:32 left in the opening period as Moore buried a juicy rebound from near the goal line for his first collegiate tally. Jacob Rombach started the play on a shot from the point that rang off the crossbar before a strong forecheck gave Mason Moe a chance that was blocked. Moore controlled the rebound and fired it past the sliding goalie, tying the score, 1-1.

The Maroon and Gold went to its first power play less than a minute later as the Eagles took a post-whistle penalty. The opportunity was erased before a second minor penalty to BC gave the Gophers a late man advantage that carried over into the second period as it remained a 1-1 tie. The power play unit was unable to capitalize again, but thanks to the visitors continuing to battle after whistles, they were called for their third penalty.

This time it cost the Eagles as Ziemer tucked home the go-ahead goal 5:52 into the middle frame. The sophomore walked along the goal line and snuck a shot under the netminder’s pads for a 2-1 advantage via the Gophers’ first power-play goal this season. Shortly after taking its first lead of the series, Minnesota got caught in its own zone and a deflected pass went to an open skater, who fired in the tying goal. The home side correctly challenged for offside earlier in the sequence, negating the goal and getting a roar from the 3M Arena at Mariucci crowd, sending the team to the locker room with a 2-1 edge through 40 minutes.

The Gophers started the third period looking to put the game away as they skated with a purpose. An unfavorable penalty to the home team allowed BC its third power play and this time Airey and his defense shut down the attack. The Eagles brought a sense of urgency late in the action and with less than five minutes to play in regulation and scored to tie the contest, 2-2. A Minnesota skater was tripped in the offensive zone, generating an odd-man rush for the visitors that they converted. The Gophers made another strong push at the end of the game but could not find the winning tally, sending the game into overtime.

Both sides had chances in the extra session with the Gophers controlling most of the play. The goaltenders, as they did all series, were sharp to the end and the game officially ended in a 2-2 tie. In the shootout Mooney and Ludtke each stepped up and scored goals, while Airey shut down BC.