Minnesota “hosts” the Icebreaker Tournament this weekend
The official stat to the 2024-25 men’s hockey season has arrived. The Minnesota Golden Gophers will officially kick off their season this weekend when they “host” the annual IceBreaker Tournament at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The Gophers will face Air Force in their first game at 9:30 on Friday night and will again play the late game at 9:30 on Saturday against either UMass or Omaha depending on the results of Friday’s games.
The Gophers originally were ranked #6 in the initial preseason polls headed into the season and after the first weekend of play which saw several teams play in exhibition games and others begin non-conference play, the Gophers were bumped up to the #5 slot headed into this weekend. The Gophers were predicted to finish second in the Big Ten standings behind Michigan State who won the regular season crown a year ago. Minnesota had four different plyers honored in the Pre-season All-Big Ten honors with Jimmy Snuggerud being a unanimous selection. He was joined on the first ream by defenseman Sam Rinzel while UCONN transfer Matthew Wood and defenseman Mike Koster were named to the second team.
Both Snuggerud and Koster were named a captain for this year’s Gophers team—and they ere joined by four others- Ryan Chesley, Aaron Huglin, Mason Nevers and Cal Thomas. Bob Motzko was asked about having six captains on his team—a very high number and he stated that all these guys would be a captain on any other team they would be on, so why should they not be recognized as such here.
Minnesota got their first taste of game play last Saturday in an exhibition game in St. Cloud. The Gophers defeated the Huskies 5-1 on goals by Huglin, Snuggerud, Chesley, Koster and freshman August Falloon. Minnesota split the game in net with Nathan Airey playing the first 30 minutes and giving up the lone goal on a breakaway and Liam Souliere playing the final 30 minutes in goal.
Minnesota will make its sixth all-time appearance in the Ice Breaker Tournament and first since 2017. The Gophers hold an 8-2 all-time record in the event and have won three titles the last coming in 2014. Minnesota last hosted the tournament in 2013 at 3M Arena at Mariucci and is the “host” of this year’s event in Las Vegas.
Minnesota has played against all of the other teams in this event, but their opponent on Friday, Air Force is the one they have played the least recently. The Gophers and Falcons have met three times previously with the last one coming in 2012 when the fourth-ranked Gophers claimed a 4-0 shutout to open the Mariucci Classic. Minnesota is 2-0-1 all time against Air Force.
The Falcons started their season last weekend splitting with #20 Arizona State. Air Force got a huge 4-3 come-from-behind, overtime win Saturday to bounce back after an 8-1 loss on Friday. Clayton Cosentino and Brendan Gibbons combined to score all five Air Force goals during the series, recording three and two goals, respectively. Goaltender Guy Blessing started both outings, but was pulled in the third period Friday, and has allowed eight goals on 49 shots.
Minnesota will play either #14 UMass or #15 Omaha in Saturday’s game. The Gophers have played both teams in the last three years in the NCAA Tournament. Minnesota defeated UMASS 4-3 in the opening round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, and the Gophers eliminated Omaha in the opening game of last spring’s NCAA Tournament 3-2 in Sioux Falls. Jimmy Cark scored the first goal for the Gophers before Jaxon Nelson scored the next two including the game winner late in the third period.
While there will be no TV broadcast of the games this weekend all four games will stream on B1G+ from the in-arena feed and the Gophers games will have audio from the Gophers radio broadcast featuring Wally Shaver and Pat Micheletti. Minnesota’s games will face off at 9:30 both nights while the early game will begin at 6 PM both nights.
HOW TO WATCH:
#5 Minnesota Gophers vs Air Force
#5 Minnesota Gophers vs #14 UMASS/ #15 Omaha
Where: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
When: 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday
Stream:B1G+
Radio: 1130 AM/ 103.5 FM/ I Heart Radio/ Varsity Network App