Box Score Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. – Minnesota got two goals from Kyle Rau and hung on in the third period to edge the UNO Mavericks, 3-2, on Saturday night at the CenturyLink Center.

The Mavericks are now 14-14-6 overall and 11-10-5 in the WCHA.  They remain tied with Colorado College for fifth place in the WCHA.  The Tigers were swept by Minnesota Duluth, losing 5-2 on Saturday.  The Gophers improved their league-leading record to 19-7-0.  They are 23-11-1 overall.

Trailing 3-1 after two, Matt White jump started the Mavericks when he stole the puck on the penalty kill and raced in on goalie Kent Patterson, beating him with a backhander to close the gap to one.  UNO played with an extra attacker for the final 1:42 but couldn't get the equalizer.

The Mavericks got off to a good start, opening the scoring at 6:05.  Dominic Zombo chased down a dump in behind the Minnesota net and threw the puck in front.  Andrew Schmit steered the puck across the crease to Brent Gwidt who rammed in his sixth goal of the year.

Just 41 seconds later, the Gophers tied it.  With the teams skating 4-on-4, defenseman Mark Alt broke down the left wing and slipped a shot between Ryan Massa and the post.

Minnesota took its first lead on a power play later in the period.  Rau got loose behind the UNO net and was able to tuck the puck inside the right post past a sprawling Massa.  Following the goal, Massa was lifted for John Faulkner.

The Gophers stretched their lead on a second-period power play.  Erik Haula marched down the left wing and found Rau cutting to the net.  He knocked in the pass to make it 3-1 Minnesota after two.

Faulkner took the loss with 14 saves, surrendering only Rau's second goal.  Patterson stopped 27 shots as the Mavericks outshot the Gophers, 29-19.

With the loss, the Mavericks were swept in a two-game series for the first time this year.  Minnesota won 3-2 in overtime on Friday.

UNO finishes the regular season on Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3 when it hosts Denver.