Justin Kloos and Connor Reilly scored for Minnesota, but Minnesota State University scored the game-winner goal with 12:31 remaining to defeat the Gophers men's hockey team 3-2 Sunday in the third-place game of the North Star College Cup at Xcel Energy Center.
Kloos led Minnesota (13-12, 8-2-0-0 Big Ten) with a goal and an assist, and goalie Eric Schierhorn saved 23 shots, but Teddy Blueger scored twice for the 19th-ranked Mavericks (15-9-5, 12-3-5 WCHA).
Blueger scored Minnesota State's first goal 4:04 into the game, but Kloos tied it over 10 minutes later. Blueger assisted on C.J. Franklin's goal 17:23 into the second period that gave the Mavericks a 2-1 lead.
Blueger scored the game winner 7:29 into the third period, just over two minutes after Reilly tied the game.
Minnesota State outshot Minnesota 26-23. Michael Brodzinski added two assists for the Gophers, who return to Big Ten Conference action next weekend against Penn State at Mariucci Arena.
