The freshman tallied the first two goals of the contest, including the first of his Golden Gophers career, and added a third as an insurance marker on the power play as the hats rained down from the packed student section. Connor Kurth buried an empty net goal with 2:04 to play, sealing the 4-1 win highlighted by Justen Close's 18-save effort.
The atmosphere inside 3M Arena at Mariucci was electric from the opening faceoff befitting a top-five matchup between the in-state foes. The Maroon and Gold weathered early pressure from the visitors as Close turned away the game's first three shots before Mason Nevers put one on frame five minutes into the action.
It was the Gophers that took control late in the frame delivering consistent pressure in the offensive zone leading to quality scoring chances by the home side. After Bryce Brodzinski, Snuggerud and Logan Cooley all tested the MSU goaltender, it was the freshman Snuggered that lit the lamp on a loose puck in the crease with 1:39 remaining in the period.
The Chaska, Minn., native doubled the Minnesota lead with his second tally of the night 5:30 into the second stanza. After a shot from the point was blocked, the 2022 NHL first-round pick corralled the puck in the slot and wristed home the goal. The Mavericks appeared to have gotten on the scoreboard five minutes later with a shot from the left circle, but after a review, it was determined a MSU player was in the crease keeping the Gophers margin, 2-0. A pair of seniors, Ryan Johnson and Jaxon Nelson, earned assists on the marker, sending the home side to a two-goal margin at intermission.
The Mavericks broke through early in the third period, closing the gap to 2-1 scoring from low in the slot that snapped the Close shutout streak at 104 minutes to begin the year. Shortly after allowing the MSU goal, the Gophers found themselves shorthanded at a critical junction and promptly erased the penalty reenergizing the crowd.
Minutes later, it was a man advantage for the Maroon and Gold that helped regain the two-goal edge as Snuggered unloaded a thundering one-timer from the left point that sailed past the MSU goalie for his third of the night as 3M Arena at Mariucci erupted. Kurth made it a 4-1 cushion as Minnesota took down the No. 5-ranked Mavericks in the first game of the home-and-home series.
Noteworthy
Snuggered recorded Minnesota's first hat trick since Ben Meyers at home versus Wisconsin Feb. 25, 2022 ... He also is the second Gopher freshman to score the first two goals of his career in the same game joining Cooley (Oct. 1) ... Cooley and Jackson LaCombe both extended their scoring streaks to three games picking up assists on the night ... Johnson posted the fifth multi-point performance of his career, and first with three points, totaling three helpers Friday ... The Gophers now have scored at least one power-play goal in every game this season.
Coach Motzko's Comments
"(Jimmy) was frustrated last week," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "You have to get out of it and, you know, start a new day. Boy did he come through tonight because he can shoot a hockey puck."
Next Up: Away at Minnesota State (Oct. 8)
The Gophers and Mavericks close the top-five battle Saturday night in Mankato, Minn., inside Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Puck drop for Minnesota's first road test is set for 6 p.m. live on FOX9+ and on the Gopher Radio Network 103.5 FM/1130 KTLK.
Check below for where to find FOX9+
Comcast: 10/807
DirecTV: 29
DISH: 29
Mediacom: 10/803
Over Air: 9.2
Spectrum: 10
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