Buckeyes Complete Road Sweep of Minnesota with 2-1 Win

Saturday, February 7

Minneapolis, Minn.

9 p.m.

Ohio State

10-15-1, 6-10-0

Minnesota

10-18-1, 6-12-0

Ohio St.

Minnesota

Buckeyes Complete Road Sweep of Minnesota with 2-1 Win

2/7/2026 11:36:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

Karabela notches gamewinner in the third period

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Jake Karabela goal midway through the third period lifted the Ohio State men's hockey team to a 2-1 win over Minnesota Saturday in 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Buckeyes (10-15-1, 6-10 B1G) earned a sweep of the Gophers (10-18-1, 6-12 B1G) after a 6-2 win Friday.

The Short Story
Ohio State blueliner William Smith had the only goal of the first period and Minnesota tied the game in the second. In the third, Buckeye defenseman Broten Sabo set up freshman forward Jake Karabela for the go-ahead goal at 10:25.

Ohio State was outshot in the game, 29-18, with freshman goalie Sam Hillebrandt stopping 28 shots. The Buckeyes were 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and scoreless on two power play chances.

The Schedule Ahead

The Buckeyes will host No. 13 Wisconsin at 6:30 p.m. Friday and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Game one vs. the Badgers is Dollar Dog Night with $1 hot dogs and it is Pucks 'n Paws Night when fans can purchase a ticket to bring their furry friend to the game. Pucks 'n Paws Night Info
Game two vs. Wisconsin is Skate & Date, featuring a free postgame skate (fans must bring their own skates). There is a 2-for-1 ticket deal for date night in Section 134 or singles can purchase tickets in Section 128 to find love at the Schott. Skate & Date Info
Ohio State will then be on the road for back-to-back series at No. 6 Penn State Feb. 20-21 and at No. 2 Michigan State Feb. 27-28.
The regular season ends March 5-6 at home against Notre Dame, with both games at 6:30 p.m. Game one is Dollar Dog Night and features Script Ohio on Ice, while game two is Senior Night.
In recognition of the 25th Olympiad, fans can take advantage of a 25 percent discount off tickets to the four remaining regular season games. 25th Olympiad 25% Discount Tickets
Promotional Schedule | Ticket Information

How it Happened

Ohio State scored the only goal of the first period. Max Montes backhanded an assist to set up defenseman William Smith between the faceoff circles. Ryan Gordon also assisted on the goal, which came at 8:11.
The Buckeyes were outshot in the first, 11-7, and each team was 0-for-1 on the power play.
In the second, Minnesota's Brody Lamb deadlocked the game with a score at 4:08 after a scramble in the Buckeye zone.
In the second, Minnesota had the edge in shots, 7-6.
Jake Karabela broke the tie at 10:25 of the third with the eventual gamewinner. Broten Sabo forced a turnover outside the Gopher blue line, leading to a 2-on-1 with Karabela, who scored short-side for a 2-1 lead.
Buckeye goalie Sam Hillebrandt stopped all 11 shots he faced in the third to close out the win, with Ohio State putting five shots on net. Hillebrandt ended the game with 28 saves on 29 shots in all 60 minutes. Ohio State had 18 shots on net in the game.
The Buckeyes were 2-for-2 on the penalty kill in the final stanza and ended the game 3-for-3. Minnesota entered the series second nationally on the power play. Ohio State was scoreless on two power play chances.
Ryan Gordon led the Buckeyes with two shot blocks, including in the final minute when the Gophers had their net empty for the extra attacker.

Buckeye This and That

Jake Karabela leads the Buckeyes with 16 assists and 24 points. He is first on the team with three gamewinning goals, with all three scored in the third period or overtime.
Karabela led the Buckeyes with four points, with two goals and two assists, in the sweep of the Gophers.
Broten Sabo paces the Buckeye defensemen in points with 15 and is second on the team in assists with 14. He has a helper in five of the last six outings.
The series sweep was the Buckeyes' first with two regulation wins over Minnesota.
Riley Thompson marked his 100th collegiate game played.
Max Montes reached the 20-point mark and has an 11-9-20 line. He is on a four-game point streak (2g, 4a, 6p).
The Buckeyes were held to a season-low 18 shots on goal after notching 46 in game one.