Gophers men, women win with shutouts Friday night

Originally posted on Minnesota Golden Gophers on SI | Last updated Feb 9, 2024 9:14 PM ET

It was Rhett Pitlick’s night as the star winger scored two goals before four minutes had ticked off the clock in the first period and Minnesota cruised to a 3-0 win over Penn State at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.

Pitlick deflected a puck by the Penn State goalie just 43 seconds into the game and then scored again 3 minutes, 6 seconds later for a commanding Minnesota lead.

Have a day, 7⃣7⃣!

We're on early hatty watch! pic.twitter.com/XTYLNh8U2W
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) February 10, 2024

With the cushion, Gophers goalie Justen Close helped blank the Nittany Lions, including when the visitors had a 5-on-3 power play in the second period. Close finished the game with 36 saves.

Connor Kurth’s sixth goal of the season gave the Gophers a 3-0 lead less than two minutes into the third period.

Minnesota, ranked No. 9 in the nation, improved to 17-7-5 and 10-5-4 in conference play, trailing second place Michigan State and Big Ten leader Wisconsin.

In women’s hockey, the Gophers got Abbey Murphy’s 28th goal of the season and that’s it for a 1-0 victory in the Interstate 94 rivalry with St. Cloud State.

we will just start playing @Abbey18Murphy highlights on repeat #NCAAHockey x BTN+ / @GopherWHockey pic.twitter.com/fJtZ2cFbur
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) February 10, 2024