Calgary Flames prospect Aydar Suniev had a game to remember on Thursday as his UMass Minutemen upset the Minnesota Golden Gophers by a 5-4 final score in the opening round of the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey tournament.

Suniev, 20, scored twice to start and finish an incredible comeback for UMass against a Gophers team that was widely viewed as a favourite to reach the Frozen Four. The Minutemen prevailed in overtime to book their ticket into the regional finals against Western Michigan, which beat Minnesota State by a 2-1 score on Thursday.

After a chaotic third period, Suniev sealed the deal against the Gophers with his second goal of the night and 20th of the season. With UMass on the attack less than five minutes into overtime, Suniev tapped a backdoor pass from Dans Locmelis (BOS) by Minnesota goaltender Liam Souliere to win the game, stunning the crowd in Fargo.

The Flames originally selected Suniev in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, using the pick they received from the New Jersey Devils alongside Yegor Sharangovich as part of the Tyler Toffoli trade.

Suniev spent his junior career with the BCHL’s Penticton Vees before joining UMass for the 2023-24 season, collecting 12 goals and 25 points in 36 games as a freshman. The Kazan, Russia product stands 6’2″ and weighs in at 192 pounds.

The Minutemen fell behind 3-1 in Thursday’s game before Suniev kickstarted their successful comeback. He got things going midway through the third period, capitalizing from close range after a strong forechecking effort by Daniel Jencko.

Jencko subsequently scored a goal of his own to tie the game before freshman defenceman Francesco Dell’Ece made it 4-3 UMass in the final five minutes of play. Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) tied it again for Minnesota just over a minute later to force overtime.

UMass outshot Minnesota 37-29 on Thursday night and managed three shots on goal in overtime compared to just one for the Gophers. Suniev finished with a plus-3 rating and recorded three shots of his own, converting on 67 percent of them.

Through 34 games in his sophomore season, Suniev ranks second to Cole O’Hara (NSH) on the Minutemen with 20 goals and 38 points.

This article is a presentation of Platinum Mitsubishi, family owned and operated by lifelong Calgarians. Home of the industry-leading 10-year, 160,000-kilometre powertrain warranty. Check out their showroom at 2720 Barlow Trail NE or online at www.mitsu.ca.