Di Pasquo’s 41 Saves Help Minnesota Battle No. 1 Wisconsin to Draw

Di Pasquo’s 41 Saves Help Minnesota Battle No. 1 Wisconsin to Draw By KSTP Goaltender Luca Di Pasquo stopped 41 shots as No. 18/17 Minnesota battled top-ranked Wisconsin to a 1-1 tie Thursday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Big Ten Conference play. The Gophers (3-3-3, 1-0-2 Big Ten) extended their unbeaten streak to six games, though the Badgers (6-0-1, 2-0-1) claimed the extra conference point by winning the shootout after a scoreless overtime. Minnesota grabbed a 1-0 lead midway through the first period when Mason Moe scored on a power play at 9:43. Tarin Smith set up the goal with a cross-ice pass that found Moe streaking into the offensive zone. Wisconsin equalized at 6:52 of the second period and controlled much of the play, outshooting Minnesota 17-5 in the frame. Di Pasquo and the Gophers’ defense held firm the rest of the way, with the senior netminder repeatedly turning away quality chances from the nation’s No. 1 team. Minnesota nearly reclaimed the lead in the third period when Smith’s point shot rang off the crossbar, but neither side could break through in regulation or overtime. The teams finished tied at one before Wisconsin converted its opening shootout attempt and secured the second Big Ten point.