[1] The Gophers needed overtime to take down St. Thomas, but the defense soon righted itself and Close posted consecutive shutouts to get the team the #1 ranking early in the season.

While the remade defense was nearly as good as it had been the year before, the offense took the biggest dip with the Gophers scoring 30 fewer goals.

Against all predictions, Michigan put up a solid defensive effort and for a team that allowed over 3 goals against per game, the Gophers were caught off-guard.

Minnesota was unable to respond to the counterpunching style that Michigan was suddenly employing and they found themselves down by a pair entering the third period.

The raucous crowd watched a fairly even game with both teams starting slow before picking up the pace in the second period.

He first tied the match on a one-timer from the slot and then scored the winning goal by deflecting a Bryce Brodzinski shot from the top of the crease.

The final four minutes saw a furious comeback attempt from the Mavs but the Gopher defense collapsed around Close and they were able to eke out a 3–2 win.

[4] In the Regional Final, Minnesota faced Boston University, the #2 team in the nation who possessed the top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft.

Despite being the underdog, Nelson and Brodzinski again sparked the Gopher's offense and staked the team to a two-goal lead in the first period.

Huglen tied the game near the mid point but BU pulled ahead for a second time before intermission.

The Terriers kept the pressure on and, four minutes later, Celebrini made another pass from the right side of the Gopher cage that ended up in the back of the net, this time to Jack Harvey.

In the later half of the period, Macklin Celebrini made a third miraculous pass from the right side but this time the shot was stopped by Close.

About a minute later, Hughes got the puck near the Minnesota goal line and had a partially open net to shoot at but he couldn't overcome the steep angle.

With no other option, Close was pulled again and minute later, Macklin Celebrini chipped the puck out of the zone to Sam Stevens and the second empty-net goal sealed the win for BU.