EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- One night after junior netminder Alex Kangas gave up six goals in a shutout loss to Michigan, Minnesota turned to a sophomore to change its luck.
Kent Patterson made 37 saves Saturday as the Golden Gophers rebounded to beat Michigan State 2-1 in the College Hockey Showcase. Patterson had 13 saves in each of the first two periods to earn his first win of the season for the Golden Gophers (5-8-1).
On Friday, the Gophers suffered their fourth straight loss and their most lopsided defeat since a 7-1 loss to Colorado College in 1988. They also tied a school record with their fourth shutout. The only other years in which the Gophers were shut out four times were 1955-56 and 1926-27.
Minnesota's Jordan Schroeder ended talk of a fifth whitewashing when he scored his fourth goal of the season at 3:32 of the second period. The lead stood until Michigan State (9-5-2) tied it on Andrew Rowe's goal at 16:35 of the third. It was Rowe's seventh goal of the year.
Mike Carman broke the tie less than a minute later with an unassisted goal at 17:14.
Drew Palmisano made 40 saves for the Spartans.
All three goals were even strength. Michigan State was 0-for-3 on the power play, while Minnesota had one power play chance.
Minnesota outshot the Spartans 42-38.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
