Blake McLaughlin knew he had messed up. His errant pass in the second period led to a shorthanded goal that gave Bemidji State a lead over the Gophers on Saturday night in the second semifinal of the Mariucci Classic.
"I told [Sammy] Walker, 'If I don't score, I could be a in a heap of trouble,' '' said McLaughlin, a sophomore forward from Grand Rapids.
McLaughlin isn't in that heap of trouble because he intercepted a pass and scored with 2 minutes, 50 seconds left in the third period in a 5-2 victory over Bemidji State in front of 7,614 at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
His goal, which broke a 2-2 tie and proved to be the game-winner, plus late empty-net tallies by Scott Reedy and Walker in the final 1:17, sent the Gophers (6-9-4) into Sunday's 7 p.m. championship game against St. Cloud State.
The Huskies were a surprising 7-2 winner over No. 2 Minnesota State Mankato earlier Saturday.
Bemidji State and Minnesota State Mankato will meet for third place at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Sunday's final will mark the first time Gophers coach Bob Motzko faces St. Cloud State, the team he coached from 2005-18 before being hired by Minnesota.
Saturday's victory was the 300th of Motzko's career.