GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Omaha Hockey outshot No. 4 North Dakota on the night, but the Fighting Hawks built a three-goal lead 14 minutes into the game on its way to a 4-1 victory Friday night.
It was the sixth straight win for North Dakota (13-4, 7-2 NCHC). Omaha (6-9, 3-6) has played 13 games this season against ranked opponents.
On Friday, Omaha held a 31-29 advantage in shots in goal, but the Mavs played from behind most of the night.
North Dakota won both games in the series at Baxter Arena last month and the Fighting Hawks got off to a quick start Friday.
Omaha lost starting goalie
Simon Latkoczy in the opening two minutes to an apparent injury. The Mavs were able to kill off an early power play, but North Dakota grabbed the lead and the momentum seven minutes in as the Hawks turned an Omaha turnover into a Ben Strinden goal. Strinden scored twice Friday.
North Dakota added a power-play goal four minutes later, then David Klee scored on a rebound with 6:11 left in the period to make it 3-0.
Omaha did control possession for most of the second period when the Mavs cut into their deficit.
North Dakota goalie Jan Spunar had to make 16 stops in the first 25 minutes before Omaha broke through.
Omaha got on the board six minutes into the second period when
Trevor Wong scored his first goal as a Mav. Wong's goal was set up on a pass from behind the net by
Maxime Pellerin.
While Omaha kept pressure on the Hawks for most of the second period, the Mavs couldn't get closer.
North Dakota regained its three-goal advantage with three minutes left in the second. Omaha was called for delay of game and 47 seconds into the penalty North Dakota scored its second power-play goal of the night.
North Dakota was 2 of 5 on power plays, while Omaha was 0 of 3.
Spunar finished with 30 saves for North Dakota, while for the Mavs,
Dawson Cowan made 23 saves while filling in for Latkoczy.
Omaha and North Dakota complete their series at 6:07 p.m. Saturday on NCHC.tv and 1290 KOIL in Omaha.
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