DULUTH — Seventh-ranked Minnesota Duluth weathered a late third-period push by Minnesota State to come away with a 2-1 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday to earn the WCHA series sweep at Amsoil Arena.
After letting a three-goal lead slip away in last weekend’s series finale against Wisconsin, UMD head coach Maura Crowell came away pleased with the team’s ability to remain composed in the final 20 minutes against the Mavericks.
“If I compare our third period with last weekend’s third period when we were up by a couple goals, I thought we executed much better,” Crowell said. “I thought our D kept the play in front of them a lot more. I thought our forwards were more responsible …”
The Bulldogs scored both of their goals on the power play, beginning with a marker at the 18:33 mark of the first period when Olivia Wallin pounced on a loose puck near the crease to give UMD a 1-0 lead. Jenna Lawry and Danielle Burgen were both credited with assists.
The one-goal lead stood for the duration of the middle frame and 11:33 into the third period before Clara Van Wieren netted the team’s second power play goal off of a feed from Reece Hunt. Defenseman Hanna Baskin earned the secondary assist.
Trailing by a pair of goals, the Mavericks pulled the goalie late in the period for the extra skater and ultimately broke through with a goal by Sydney Langseth with 1:11 remaining in the contest, but were unable to complete the comeback.
UMD goaltender Eve Gascon finished the game with 28 saves on 29 shots on goal in the win, which combined with St. Cloud State’s overtime loss at Wisconsin on Saturday, moves the Bulldogs into the top half of the WCHA standings, though the Huskies have another game with the Badgers on Sunday.
The Bulldogs (15-11-2) will travel to St. Paul for their next game against St. Thomas on Friday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.
Clint Austin / Duluth Media Group
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