Box Score DULUTH, Minn. --- Minnesota State scored the contest's first goal, but three Minnesota Duluth power-play goals in the second period ultimately propelled the Bulldogs to a 3-1 victory in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action Friday night at AMSOIL Arena.
 
The Mavericks slip to 9-14-0 overall and 4-13-0 within the conference, while Minnesota Duluth moves to 10-8-3 on the season and 8-6-3 in league play.
 
Minnesota State pounced on the Bulldogs exactly 10 minutes into the opening period. Reigning WCHA Offensive Player of the Week, senior Tracy McCann (Lakewood, Ohio), dumped a puck into the UMD zone that took an extremely favorable bounce and slipped by sophomore Kayla Black for her eighth goal of the year to put MSU in front, 1-0. Senior Danielle Scholzen (Blaine, Minn.) collected an assist on the marker. The Mavericks had three power-play opportunities in the frame, including 98 seconds of five-on-three action late in the period, but were unable to increase the one-goal lead.
 
Minnesota Duluth answered back in the second period behind three power-play goals from a trio of juniors. Sophomore Erin Krichiver (Chicago, Ill.) denied senior Jamie Kenyon's initial shot, but Zoe Hickel slipped the puck by Krichiver's left pad at 2:33 to tie the contest at one each. At 11:39, Tea Villila batted a rebound out of mid-air into the net off a shot by Hickel, then Meghan Huertas re-directed freshman Sidney Morin's shot from the point at 16:03 to secure UMD a 3-1 advantage through two periods.
 
That score proved to be the final as neither team could find twine in the final 20 minutes. Minnesota State peppered Black with the extra attacker in last two minutes and outshot the Bulldogs 17-14 in the stanza but was unable to find the second goal.
 
Special teams were the deciding factor as UMD converted on three-of-five power-play opportunities, while the Mavericks were shutout on five chances with the advantage in the affair. Krichiver registered a career-best 40 saves for MSU, and Black turned in a 25-save performance for the Bulldogs.
 
The pair of in-state rivals will conclude the series tomorrow evening back inside AMSOIL Arena. Opening faceoff is set for 6:07 p.m.