On Thursday, March 27 the University of Minnesota squared off with the University of Massachusetts in the Fargo Regional Semifinals. Due to the early game between Western Michigan and Minnesota State Mankato going to double overtime, the Gophers – Minutemen game started almost 90 minutes late. By the way, the Broncos edged the Mavericks 2-1 in 2OT.
The first period was fast paced with a ton of energy. The Minutemen were controlling the pace of play early, but couldn’t scratch across a goal. With 5:46 remaining in the first period Minnesota’s Jimmy Snuggerud scored the game first goal, giving the Gophers a 1-0 lead. Before Minnesota fans could finish their goal chant celebration, UMass countered with a Larry Keenan goal 20 seconds later. The game is now tied 1-1. About four minutes later with 1:11 remaining in the first period Minnesota’s Brody Lamb scored giving the Gophers a 2-1 lead… They would maintain that score until the end of the period.
The second period saw both teams going shot-for-shot and check-for-check for the majority of the period. With 5:53 left in the period Connor Kurth scored, extending Minnesota’s lead to 3-1. That score would hold up until the end of period intermission.
The third period would see Minnesota shell up and UMass begin to push more to create scoring chances. After multiple unsuccessful attacks at the U of M net, UMass’ Aydar Suniev found the back of the net at the 12:46 mark of the period, cutting the Gophers lead to 3-2. After the goal Minnesota’s goaltender Liam Souliere had to leave the game to fix an equipment issue. Nathan Airey took his place in net and 95 seconds later he gave up the game-tying goal. It was scored by Daniel Jencko, 3-3 tie. A few minutes later at the 4:53 mark of the third period UMass’ Francesco Dell’Elce scored, giving the Minutemen their first lead of the night at 4-3. The Gophers would strike back on Snuggerud’s second goal of the game with 3:36 remaining in regulation, tying the game at 4-4. The teams would play even the rest of regulation and head to overtime.
The overtime period saw a few offensive chances early. The first four and a half minutes of overtime saw three total shots on net between both teams, but at that four and a half minute mark something controversial happened… A Gopher was skating in the neutral zone, and appeared the be tripped by a UMass player. The officials let play continue with no call, and the Minutemen capitalized taking the puck into the offensive zone where at the 15:11 mark of overtime, Aydar Suniev buried his second goal of the game… UMass stuns Minnesota 5-4 in overtime, punching a ticket to the Region Final.
SUNIEV WITH THE OT WINNER FOR @UMassHockey 🚨#NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/RWXsAsi0yt
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 28, 2025
Horrible loss but ICONIC final call by Wally Shaver and @patmick2626 #SkiUMah I can just imagine how Glen Sonmor would've taken this… https://t.co/4jgxKTpqln pic.twitter.com/QbiwwT1yFb
— Kevin Falness (@RadioFalness) March 28, 2025
Whether you find the game-winning goal play for UMass controversial of not, they are moving on to play the regions top-seed in Western Michigan.
The Minutemen and Broncos will battle for the region championship on Saturday beginning at 5:32 p.m. with game coverage available on ESPNU. The winner will punch their ticket to the Frozen Four in St. Louis.
