The Gophers overcame an ugly second period with a dominating third period en route to a 5-3 win over Minnesota-Duluth Friday night at Mariucci Arena.
Nate Condon got the scoring started for Minnesota with a goal at the 4:04 mark of the first period. The Gophers went up 2-0 on Erik Haula’s short-handed goal at the 7:50 mark of the first.
The second period was an entirely different story. Justin Crandall netted a power play goal to put the Bulldogs on the board, and they tied the game, 2-2 on Austin Farley’s goal at the 13:10 mark of the period. Less than two minutes later Sam Warning put Minnesota back on top, 3-2 by weaving between two UMD defenders and backhanding a shot between Matt McNeely’s legs.
Farley’s second goal of the game, and 12th of the season would tied the game, 3-3 with 46 seconds left in the second.
Minnesota then dominated the third period, out-shooting UMD 16-4. McNeely kept the Gophers at bay until Kyle Rau found the back of the net at the 13:25 mark. Haula would later put the nail in the coffin with an empty-net goal, his 15th of the season.
Game two of the weekend series is back at Mariucci Arena Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. The game can be watched on Big Ten Network.
In another big WCHA game St. Cloud State lost at Colorado College, 4-3. The Huskies still lead the conference with 31 points, but Minnesota and Nebraska-Omaha are now one-point behind with 30 points.
