DULUTH, Minn. – No. 4 Minnesota Duluth scored midway through overtime to beat the Omaha hockey team, 2-1, in the first game of their best-of-three NCHC Quarterfinal playoff series.

Nick Swaney beat Evan Weninger with a slap shot from in close to help the defending national champions escape a determined effort by Mavericks.  The goal came at 13:42 of the extra frame.

Omaha now must win the second game of the series on Saturday to force a deciding game three on Sunday.  Another win by UMD will advance it to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff next weekend in St. Paul, Minn.

The Mavericks forced the overtime in the last minute of regulation.  Teemu Pulkkinen won a faceoff in the UMD zone.  Tyler Weiss worked the puck to Ryan Jones who fired a shot on goal.  The rebound came to Kevin Conley who roofed it over goalie Hunter Shepard at 19:04.

Omaha hung with the Bulldogs from the start as both teams managed nine shots on goal in the first period.

UMD broke open the scoreless game at 3:31 of the second period.  Parker Mackay fed the puck rink-wide to Riley Tufte who beat Weninger with a low shot just inside the post.

Weninger finished the night with a game-high 39 saves while Shepard stopped 27.

GAME NOTES:  

• Conley has now scored three goals in the last four games.
• With an assist on UNO's goal, Jones matched his career high with his 12 assist of the year.
• Both teams went 0-for-4 on the power play.

Three stars:  Not awarded.