Box Score Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Third-ranked Minnesota built a three-goal lead and then had to hang on for a 3-2 win over the No. 13/14 UNO Mavericks on Saturday night at Mariucci Arena.

The loss ended the Mavericks' seven-game winning streak and put their record at 9-4-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the WCHA.  The Gophers improve to 10-3-2 overall and 5-3-2 in league play.  

The Mavericks continue their four-game road trip on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7 and 8, when they visit St. Cloud State.

Leading 3-1 in the third period, the Mavericks were able to narrow the deficit to one when Johnnie Searfoss poked in a feed from Matt White with goaltender John Faulkner pulled for the extra attacker.  The goal came with 2:02 remaining in the third period.  

The Mavs had a chance to tie it moments later when White nearly banked a shot in off a UM defender, but time ran out before the Mavs could even the score.

The Gophers got an early power play and cashed in just 2:09 into the game.  Erik Haula came off the bench and got a pass from Kyle Rau.  His backhander through traffic beat goaltender John Faulkner who was screened on the play.

The Mavs nearly tied it just a minute later, but Michael Young hit the left post with a shot.

Minnesota began the second period with a power play and cashed in again as Nick Bjugstad found the twine 58 seconds in for his eighth goal of the year.

Tom Serratore made it 3-0 when he got loose in the UNO zone and beat Faulkner with a sharp wrist shot over his blocker hand.

Before the period ended, the Mavericks got on the board.  White carried the puck into the Minnesota zone and dropped a pass to Andrej Sustr.  He fired a shot over the shoulder of UM goalie Adam Wilcox for his fourth goal of the year, tying his career high.

UNO looked to have drawn to within a goal just moments later when Tony Turgeon fired a shot that ricocheted in off the cross bar.  What would have been his first career goal was waved off because Minnesota defenseman Jake Parenteau had been injured on the play.

The game was the fourth straight 3-2 decision between the two schools dating back to last year in Omaha.  It was UNO's first loss at Mariucci Arena in four games.  Minnesota now leads the all-time series, 4-3-0.

In spite of the loss, Ryan Walters extended his point-scoring streak to seven games with assists on both goals.

Faulkner made 30 saves and suffered his first loss of the season (8-1-1).