Minnesota State earns first trip to Frozen Four after blanking Gophers 4-0
Dryden McKay made 22 saves to keep Minnesota off the scoreboard, and the Minnesota State Mankato men’s hockey team defeated the Gophers 4-0 to earn its first trip to the Frozen Four.
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It was the 24th career shutout for McKay, who became the first goaltender this season to hold the Gophers scoreless.
Minnesota State lit the lamp twice in the opening period on goals by Sam Morton and Ryan Sandelin. After a scoreless second, Nathan Smith buried a shot at the 9:50 mark of the third period for a 3-0 lead.
Dallas Gerads added an empty-net goal at the 17:41 mark, and the Mavericks cruised to the Frozen Four.
Minnesota State will battle St. Cloud State on April 8 in the semifinals. The winner of that game will face the winner of Minnesota Duluth and Massachusetts in the national championship.
