Gophers' Pitlick nets first career hat trick in win over Penn State

Published Feb. 17, 2017 9:17 p.m. ET

The No. 5 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey team earned a 6-3 win over the No. 8/9 Penn State Nittany Lions in the first of the weekend series Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, Penn.

The Gophers' Rem Pitlick had a hat trick in the win with the first goal of the game 6:20 into the first period, a game-tying goal in the second after Penn State had rallied to a 2-1 lead and an empty netter to seal the game.

Ryan Norman, Justin Kloos and Taylor Cammarata also scored for Minnesota. Kloos is now tied with Neal Broten for 33rd on the team's all-time scoring list with 142 points (60 goals, 82 assists). Vinni Lettieri's career-long point streak has ended at six games.

Sophomore goalie Eric Schierhorn made 40 saves in his 66th consecutive start in goal for the Maroon and Gold.

Andrew Sturtz, Nate Sucese and Kris Myllari lit the lamp for Penn State.

The teams face off again Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT.