The Ohio State men’s hockey lost to No. 4-ranked Minnesota, 5-2, Saturday in Value City Arena, closing the regular season series between the teams.

The Buckeyes (5-12-1, 5-11-0-0-1-0 B1G) will host Notre Dame next weekend to continue their homestand. Game one is at 4:30 p.m. Friday, with game two at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Both games will be on BTN, the Fox Sports app and Ohio State radio.

Minnesota 5, Ohio State 2 – The Short Story

The Gophers (15-3-0, 11-3-0-0-0-0 B1G) scored the only goal of the first period and extended the lead to 3-0 with two power play goals early in the second. Ohio State drew within two (3-1) at 7:11 of the second on a Tate Singleton goal but Minnesota scored shorthanded at 18:59 to hold a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes. In the third, Kamil Sadlocha scored at 14:54 for a 4-2 game. The Buckeyes had a late power play and skated with the net empty for a 6-on-4 advantage but were unable to draw closer and Minnesota scored an empty net goal at 19:40 for the 5-2 final. Ohio State outshot the Gophers, 30-27. Senior Evan Moyse made his first career start and had 22 saves in the Buckeye net.

Quoting Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik

On the difference in tonight’s game compared to game one

“I thought it was a way different game. We competed; 5-on-5 I thought we played pretty well. We gave ourselves a chance right up until the end. At the end of the day against really good hockey teams, you just have to eliminate some of those silly mistakes that end up in the back of your net. If we can keep competing like that and keep playing together as a team like that we’re going to continue getting better.”

On Evan Moyse making his first career start

“He was fantastic. He looked comfortable, he looked calm; he played pucks. Our team defense was dialed in a lot better as well. I thought Evan did a great job. I’m proud of him and he’s put a lot of work in. He stepped up to the challenge.”

 Ohio State vs. Minnesota

In the First … Minnesota scored the only goal of the first period, as Jonny Sorenson scored at 7:44 following a turnover in the Buckeye zone. The Gophers had the shot advantage, 12-11, and each team had two power play chances. Minnesota had eight shots on goal on its power play opportunities and Ohio State put seven shots on net on its chances with the man advantage.

In the Second … At 1:18 of the period the Buckeyes were assessed two penalties – a major for checking from behind and a tripping minor. Minnesota converted twice, with a 5-on-3 goal at 1:59 by Sampo Ranta and a 5-on-4 tally 26 seconds later by Jaxon Nelson. Minnesota had seven shots on net during the power play opportunities. At 7:11 Tate Singleton put the Buckeyes on the board, as Travis Treloar won the faceoff in the Gopher zone toward the net and Singleton was there to put it home for his fifth goal of the season. Treloar’s assist was his 10th of the year and his team-best 16th point. The Gophers scored their second shorthanded goal of the series at 18:59, with Jackson LaCombe finishing a 2-on-1 with Blake McLaughlin. Shots were 13-6 in favor of Minnesota.

In the Third … Buckeye Kamil Sadlocha made it a two-goal game (4-2) at 14:54. Grant Gabriele forced a turnover and the puck when to Singleton, who found Sadlocha at the side of the net for his second goal of the season. Minnesota took a penalty at 17:27 and the Buckeyes pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. The Buckeyes generated chances, putting five shots on net, but could not draw closer. Minnesota sealed the win with an unassisted empty net goal at 19:40 from Sammy Walker. Ohio State outshot Minnesota, 13-2, in the third. Each team had a power play chance in the stanza. The Buckeyes did not allow a shot on goal during the Gophers’ opportunity.

Shots … The Buckeyes ended the game with the shot advantage, 30-27. Senior Evan Moyse made his first start for Ohio State and had 22 stops in 57:47.

Gabriele had three of the Buckeyes’ 12 shot blocks, while Evan McIntyre and CJ Regula each blocked two.

Special Teams … The Buckeyes were unable to score on four power play chances and Minnesota was 2-for-6 with the man advantage.