Minnesota Hockey: The Golden Gophers open their season in Las Vegas

The official statistics for the 2024-25 men's hockey season are here. The Minnesota Golden Gophers will officially open their season this weekend when they “host” the annual IceBreaker tournament at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The Gophers face Air Force in their first game Friday night at 9:30 a.m. and play the late game again Saturday at 9:30 a.m. against UMass or Omaha, depending on the results of Friday's games.

Originally, the Gophers were ranked No. 6 in the early preseason polls at the start of 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 moved up to No. 5 heading into this weekend . The Gophers were expected to finish second in the Big Ten standings, behind Michigan State, which won the regular-season crown a year ago. Minnesota had four different players honored in preseason All-Big Ten honors, with Jimmy Snuggerud being a unanimous selection. He was joined on the front row 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 captains of this year's Gophers team – and four others joined them: Ryan Chesley, Aaron Huglin, Mason Nevers and Cal Thomas. Bob Motzko was asked about six captains on his team – a very high number, and he stated that all of those guys would be captains on any other team they played on. So why shouldn't they be recognized as such here?

Minnesota got its first glimpse of action last Saturday in a friendly in St. Cloud. The Gophers defeated the Huskies 5-1 with goals from Huglin, Snuggerud, Chesley, Koster and freshman August Falloon. Minnesota split the game in net, with Nathan Airey playing the first 30 minutes and scoring the only goal on a breakaway, and Liam Souliere playing the final 30 minutes in goal.

Minnesota will be participating in the Ice Breaker Tournament for the sixth time ever and first since 2017. The Gophers have an 8-2 record in the event and have won three titles, most recently in 2014. Minnesota last hosted the tournament in 2013 the 3M Arena in Mariucci and is the “host” of this year’s event in Las Vegas.

Minnesota has played every other team in this event, but they have played the least against their Friday opponent, Air Force. The Gophers and Falcons have met three times, most recently in 2012 when the fourth-place Gophers secured a 4-0 shutout to open the Mariucci Classic. Minnesota is 2-0-1 against Air Force.

The Falcons began their season last weekend with a split against #20 Arizona State. Air Force came back from an overtime deficit to win 4-3 on Saturday and bounced back from an 8-1 loss on Friday. Clayton Cosentino and Brendan Gibbons combined to score all five of Air Force's goals during the series, scoring three and two goals, respectively. Goalkeeper Guy Blessing started both games but was substituted in the third period on 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 NCAA Tournament the last three years. Minnesota defeated UMASS 4-3 in the opening round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, and the Gophers defeated Omaha 3-2 in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament last spring in Sioux Falls. Jimmy Cark scored the first goal for the Gophers before Jaxon Nelson scored the next two goals, including the game-winner late in the third period.

Although there will be no TV broadcast of the games this weekend, all four games will be streamed on B1G+ from the in-arena feed and the Gophers games will have audio from the Gophers radio broadcast with Wally Shaver and Pat Micheletti. Minnesota's games will be played at 9:30 a.m. both nights, while the early game will begin at 6 p.m. both nights.

WATCH THIS:

#5 Minnesota Gophers vs. Air Force

#5 Minnesota Gophers vs. #14 UMASS/ #15 Omaha

Where: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

When: Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m

Stream:B1G+

Radio: 1130 AM/ 103.5 FM/ I Heart Radio/ Varsity Network App