Gophers Blow Out #12 Michigan

MINNEAPOLIS -- Three first-period goals led the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey team to a 6-2 drubbing of the #12 Michigan Wolverines on Friday.

Kyle Rau achieved the hat trick with goals in each of the three periods, including the first goal of the game coming at the six-and-a-half minute mark in the game.

Seth Ambroz and Vinni Lettieri also added first period goals to give the Gophers an early 3-0 lead over the Wolverines.

A goal by Mike Reilly and Rau's second stretched the lead to 5-0 in the second before Michigan cracked the scoreboard later in the period.

By the time Rau's third goal hit the net, the game was decided. The Wolverines scored a meaningless goal in garbage time as the Gophers came away with the decisive 6-2 victory.

With the win, Minnesota improves to 15-9-3 on the season and they will look for the weekend sweep of Michigan in a rematch tonight.