GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Evan Weninger made 22 saves, and Austin Ortega had a three-point night as the Omaha hockey team shutout No. 15/16 North Dakota, 3-0, on Saturday night.

The win snapped UNO's six-game losing streak to the Fighting Hawks.  The Mavericks improved to 16-13-5 overall and 9-11-2-0/0 in the NCHC, putting them in a tie with North Dakota for fourth.  UND dipped to 16-14-3 overall and 9-12-1-1/0 in the conference.

The Mavericks used a power play to seize the lead.  Luc Snuggerud did a good job collecting the puck at the left point.  He quickly whipped a pass cross ice to David Pope.  His one-timer beat goalie Cam Johnson to the glove side for his 13th goal of the year.

There was no scoring in the second period, but the lack of offense was significant. The Mavericks limited North Dakota to just one shot on goal, tying a school record.

In the third, UNO got some much needed breathing room when Riley Alferd fired a wrist shot to the top corner off a pass from Ortega at 5:43.  It was Alferd's third goal in three games after going scoreless in his first 32 career games.

Ortega sealed the game with an empty netter with 2:01 remaining.

The shutout was the third of the season for Weninger.  The Mavericks outshot UND, 27-22.  Johnson made 24 saves for the Fighting Hawks.

The Mavericks finish the season at home next weekend when they host No. 1 Denver on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4.