The Minnesota men’s hockey team concluded a seven-week stretch away from home Saturday night with a 5-2 loss at Penn State.

It was a loss that gave the Nittany Lions a two-game sweep of the second and final regular-season series to be played between the teams. Minnesota returns home to 3M Arena at Mariucci next weekend to take on Michigan. The last time the Gophers competed on their home ice was a 2-1 loss to Penn State back on Nov. 22.

Since then, Minnesota has played six straight road games that were scattered out over the holiday period. The road trip started well with wins at Denver and Ohio State, but the Gophers limp home with an 0-3-1 record since those back-to-back victories.

Minnesota opened Saturday’s game in fine form, taking a 1-0 lead at 3:27 of the opening period on an unassisted goal by Brodie Ziemer. However, the hosts replied with three consecutive scores to seize the lead for good by the end of the first frame.

Javon Moore opened the second period with a goal assisted by Teddy Townsend and Mason Roe, but Penn State recorded two more scores (including an empty netter) to win by three at the final horn. Goaltenders Nathan Airey and Luca Di Pasquo split time in net, making 11 and 27 saves, respectively.

With the loss, Minnesota fell to 8-12-1 overall and 4-6-0 in Big Ten play. Penn State improved to 14-6-0 overall and 6-4 in the Big Ten with the pair of weekend wins.

The Gophers host Michigan next weekend, with a 7 p.m. puck drop on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday. Both games will be televised on KMSP Ch. 9 and BTN+, with the radio call on 103.5 FM and 1130 AM.

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