Minnesota rallied from a 3-1 second-period deficit and scored the game's final three goals to pull out a 4-3 victory over Colorado College Saturday night at the Broadmoor World Arena.
 
The Tigers jumped out to an early lead as graduate transfer Andrew Gaus scored his first goal at CC just 2:01 into the game. He took a pass from Connor Mayer, slid down the left side and put in his own rebound following a save by Minnesota goalie Jared Moe. Jack Gates also assisted on the play.  
 
Chris Wilkie widened the lead when he scored one second after CC's only power play of the first period ended. He fired a shot from the left circle to the bottom left corner past Moe for a 2-0 advantage. Linemate Nick Halloran collected his fourth assist of the season, while Bryan Yoon recorded his first.
 
Minnesota got on the board three minutes into the second period with a power-play goal by Sampo Ranta. His first two shots in front of the net were saved by Tiger goalie Ryan Ruck, but he banged in his third attempt.  
 
Grant Cruikshank put the Tigers back up by two at the 13:31 mark of the middle frame, finishing off a 2-on-1 with Halloran for his first goal of the season.  
 
Minnesota scored twice in a 28-second span later in the second period to even the game at 3-3. Sammy Walker scored his first of the season while on the power play at the 17:05 mark, then Matt Staudacher scored an even-strength goal at 17:33.
 
Walker was called for a five-minute major and game misconduct for contact to the head at the 3:50 mark of the third period, but the Tigers could not capitalize and take the lead.
 
Blake McLaughlin scored the game-winner from the high slot at the 9:54 mark of the third period, and the Gophers held off CC, which played with an extra man for the final 90 seconds.  
 
What Head Coach Mike Haviland Said
"When we're up 2-0 and 3-1, we gotta put away teams. It's as simple as that."
 
"They (Minnesota) got the momentum and started to make their skilled plays and I think our PK made some mistakes. Give them credit, they scored on it, but we hurt ourselves."
 
Three Stars of the Game
1. Sammy Walker, Minnesota (1g,1a)
2. Blake McLaughlin, Minnesota (GWG)
3. Chris Wilkie, Colorado College (1g,1a)
 
Colorado College Notes
Halloran and Cruikshank led the Tigers with five shots apiece
Ruck finished with 32 saves
Halloran and Wilkie lead the team with five points apiece in two games
Chad Sasaki led all players with five blocked shots
Mayer collected the first point of his career
CC was 0-for-4 on the power play
 
Minnesota Notes
Moe finished with 27 saves and collected an assist
Ryan Johnson led the Gophers with five shots
Minnesota was 2-for-7 on the power play
The Gophers outshot CC, 36-30
 
Up Next
Colorado College hosts Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., at the Broadmoor World Arena.