Minnesota State clinches ticket to NCAA Championship defeating Minnesota

The Minnesota Golden Gophers and Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks were the nightcap for college hockey's semifinal matchups, which resulted in another great game to watch.

The Mavericks outplayed the Gophers for most of the night and ended up winning the game 5-1. The Gophers didn't play badly by any means, but Mavericks stud goalie Dryden McKay again showed why he is the top goalie in college hockey.

The Mavericks controlled the first period of play except for one key turnover that led to a Matthew Knies goal. Bryce Brodzinski stripped a Minnesota State defenseman of the puck at the blue line and led the rush the other way where Knies joined him for a tic-tac-toe two-on-zero goal, giving Minnesota the 1-0 lead.

Who else? Matthew Knies (#LeafsForever) scores the opening goal for @GopherHockey in their #FrozenFour semifinals match.

The lone assist on the play goes to Bryce Brodzinski (#BringItToBroad) pic.twitter.com/I034oOV5uO— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 8, 2022

At the end of the first period it was 1-0 Gophers with the Mavericks leading in shots 11-4.

With 12:38 left in the second period the Mavericks finally broke through on a slick wraparound goal from Benton Maass to tie the game at one.

Benton Maass (#ALLCAPS) has tied this game at 1-1 for @MinnStMHockey with the slick wraparound goal. #FrozenFour

Assists to Lucas Sowder and Ondřej Pavel pic.twitter.com/9cz0Y3ktdF— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 8, 2022

Minnesota State was not done in the second period though. With 6:29 left in the period Reggie Lutz cashed in on a second wrap-around-goal in the period.

Benton Maass (#ALLCAPS) has tied this game at 1-1 for @MinnStMHockey with the slick wraparound goal. #FrozenFour

Assists to Lucas Sowder and Ondřej Pavel pic.twitter.com/9cz0Y3ktdF— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 8, 2022

After two periods, the Mavericks continued to outshoot the Gophers 21-11.

Minnesota State kept their foot on the gas pedal during the third period, adding some insurance. Less than two minutes into the final frame Ondrej Pavel deflected a point shot to give the Mavs a 3-1 lead.

Ondřej Pavel gets the deflection goal to give @MinnStMHockey a 3-1 lead over Minnesota in the third period.

Assists to Jack McNeely and Josh Groll pic.twitter.com/rMSb5cc4jl— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 8, 2022

Mavs David Silye then added a fourth goal on a sweet snipe to make it 4-1. The Mavericks added an empty netter with a little over a minute left to put them up 5-1.

David Silye snipes the insurance tally past Justen Close to make it a 4-1 game for @MinnStMHockey late in the third period. #FrozenFour

Sam Morton with the lone assist on the play. pic.twitter.com/8MeUEB2r50— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 8, 2022

The Minnesota State Mavericks will take on the Denver Pioneers on Saturday at TD Garden in Boston.

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