Buckeyes Sweep Gophers in Men's Hockey

Ohio State takes two games from Minnesota at 3M Arena

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Ohio State Buckeyes swept the Minnesota Gophers in a weekend men's hockey series, winning 2-1 on Saturday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The Gophers were outscored by the Buckeyes, who got goals in the first and third periods to overcome a second-period tally by Minnesota's Brody Lamb.

Why it matters

The Gophers have struggled against Big Ten rivals this season, with the Wisconsin Badgers and now the Ohio State Buckeyes handing them losses at home. This sweep puts the Buckeyes closer to the Gophers in the conference standings, with both teams looking to improve their positioning for the Big Ten tournament.

The details

Ohio State goaltender Sam Hillebrandt made 29 saves to hold off the Gophers, who were unable to capitalize on their offensive opportunities. Minnesota netminder Luca Di Pasquo recorded 16 saves in the loss. The Buckeyes will next face Notre Dame, while the Gophers travel to South Bend for a weekend series against the Irish.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
  • The Gophers and Buckeyes will face off again on Friday, February 13, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana.

The players

Brody Lamb

A forward for the Minnesota Gophers who scored the team's lone goal in the loss.

Sam Hillebrandt

The Ohio State Buckeyes' goaltender who made 29 saves to preserve the victory.

Luca Di Pasquo

The Minnesota Gophers' goaltender who recorded 16 saves in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to win these big conference games at home if we want to improve our standing for the tournament.”

— Bob Motzko, Head Coach, Minnesota Gophers

What’s next

The Gophers and Buckeyes will face off again on Friday, February 13, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana, as both teams look to gain ground in the Big Ten standings.

The takeaway

The Gophers' struggles against their Big Ten rivals continue, as they were unable to defend their home ice against the surging Buckeyes. Minnesota will need to find a way to win these key conference matchups if they hope to improve their positioning for the Big Ten tournament.