NCAA hockey: Minnesota beats Canisius 9-2, will challenge St. Cloud for Frozen Four spot

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Forward Bryce Brodzinski (22) scored three goals in the third period for a hat trick at the NCAA hockey Fargo Regional ahead of the Frozen Four at the Scheels Arena in Fargo, N.D. on Thursday.
Amy Felegy | MPR News

Update: 3:30 p.m.

Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey fans brought maroon and gold pride to the NCAA Fargo Regional Thursday night. The top-seeded U beat Canisius, the no. 16 seed Buffalo, NY team, 9-2 in an impressive win.

The sold-out game topping 5,000 filled seats at Scheels Arena in Fargo, N.D. was electric — goal after goal after goal.

After a bit of a rocky start, the Gophers scored six times in the third period.

“It was awesome,” said fan Brigitte Martiff, who sat behind senior Bryce Brodzinski's parents as he finessed a hat trick all in the last period.

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Ask anyone donning University of Minnesota merch that night, and they’ll agree.

“You don't have the firepower to keep up with Minnesota,” said Gopher fan Tom Schlichting.

Honorable mentions from the night include U of M players Luke Mittelstadt, Jimmy Snuggerud and Brody Lamb.

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The winner of Saturday's game advances to the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay, Fla. next month — if the Gophers (25-12-3) take the NCAA trophy it’ll be their first since 2003.
Amy Felegy | MPR News

The Gophers play at Scheel’s at 5:30 p.m. Saturday against St. Cloud State, which beat Minnesota State Mankato 4-0 Thursday afternoon. Watch on ESPNU or fuboTV.

The winner advances to the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay, Fla. — if the Gophers (27-9-1) take the NCAA trophy it’ll be their first in 20 years; St. Cloud (25-12-3) has played the final game but never won.

Hockey bracket
Remaining brackets as of Friday morning are: Minnesota vs. St. Cloud; Penn State vs. Michigan Tech; Michigan vs. Colgate; and Quinnipiac vs. Merrimack. Ohio State won its Friday afternoon game 8-1 vs. Harvard.
NCAA

Semifinals are set for Thursday, April 6 and the championship is Saturday, April 8. Other remaining brackets as of Friday morning are: Penn State vs. Michigan Tech; Michigan vs. Colgate and Quinnipiac vs. Merrimack.

No matter how Saturday’s game ends, we'll have our Minnesota representation on that coveted Frozen Four ice.

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Minnesota (27-9-1) players shook hands with the Buffalo, NY team Canisius (20-19-3) after a tough game for the latter on Thursday.
Amy Felegy | MPR News

Correction (March 24, 2023): This article has been updated to accurately reflect team standings.