Mn Gophers Gear Up for Epic B1G Hockey Battle Against Penn State

Mn Gophers Open B1G Play Against Penn State Nittany Lions

The Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s hockey team is poised to kick off Big Ten conference play this weekend against the Penn State Nittany Lions at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The encounter marks a reunion for goalie Liam Souliere, who is likely to face his former team. Having climbed to #4 in the national rankings, the Gophers are intent on extending their remarkable form after a dominating sweep over St. Thomas, outscoring them 13-1 in two games.

Performance Highlights

• Sam Rinzel earned the Big Ten’s #1 Star of the Week with a five-point haul.
• Brody Lamb recorded an all power-play natural hat trick in Saturday's game.
• The Gophers lead the nation with an average of 5.5 goals per game.

Key Matchup Insights

Penn State enters the contest with a 4-1 season record and holds a national ranking of #18. Their offensive department is led by Aiden Fink, who has been productive in all five games played. However, Minnesota's superior scoring power could prove decisive.

Goalkeeping Battle

The showdown is particularly intriguing as Souliere will confront the Nittany Lions for the first time since transferring to Minnesota. His impressive stats this season (2-1, 1.66 GAA) further elevate the stakes.

Game Details

• Where: 3M Arena at Mariucci, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• When: 7 PM Friday and Saturday
• TV: Fox 9+
• Stream: B1G+