Posted January 1, 2011 9:51 p.m. CT
By Darrin Salzmann
FOXSportsNorth.com
The 19th ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-8-2) took on the 18th ranked Ferris State Bulldogs (9-8-3) in their final game of the 20th annual Mariucci Classic. Minnesota is 3-1-0 all-time against Ferris State, with 3 of those games happening in the Mariucci Classic.
Ferris State opened up the scoring in the first period when Matthew Kirzinger netted his 3rd goal of the season on the power play. Jake Hansen answered back for the Gophers late in the period after putting in a rebound for his 5th goal on the year to even the score at 1-1.
Much of the second period was a stalemate, with both teams blocking several shots, until the Bulldogs took the lead after Brett Wysopal scored shortly after both teams finished off-setting roughing minors. Minnesota finished the period with only four shots on goal.
Ferris State, who are 7-1-1 when leading after two periods this season, got an early power play chance in the period, but the Gophers were able to kill it off. Midway through the third, the Gophers evened the score at 2-2 after Jay Barribal deflected a Jake Hansen blue line blast for his 11th goal of the season.
The game went into overtime, and neither team was able to light the lamp. Ferris State goaltender Pat Nagle finished the game with 32 saves, and Gophers
