There was no Friday the 13th curse for the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team Friday afternoon at AMSOIL Arena.

In fact, it was exactly the opposite, as the fourth-ranked Bulldogs knocked off the No. 2 University of Minnesota 3-2, defiantly ending a five-year, 21-game winless streak the Gophers had against UMD prior to the start of the contest. The Western Collegiate Hockey Association triumph also moves the Bulldogs within four points of the Gophers, currently in second place in the league.

"What a great game for us from the start," said second-year Bulldog head coach Maura Crowell.  "I thought for certainly the first 40 minutes we were by far the better team, dominating in our effort and execution.  A big program win for us and really, Bulldogs all over the map."

The Bulldogs stated their intentions early, taking the game's first lead just 6:26 into the opening period.  Junior forward Katerina Mrázová dropped the puck off at the top of the left circle for a slot-skating Lara Stalder, who in return slid the puck back to Mrázovå on the post. 

Despite outshooting the Gophers 16-6 in the second period, UMD took its 1-0 lead into the third period after a scoreless second stanza.  Minnesota struck first on a power play,  backdoor pass from Kelly Pannek to Sarah Potomak that knotted the game at 1-1 at the 4:11 mark.  Stalder and the Bulldogs answered immediately, however, netting their own power play goal 49 seconds later.  Brooklyn Schugel's effort allowed the rookie forward to grab a rebound and pass it to the top of the left circle to a waiting Stalder.  Stalder wound up and ripped the puck under the blocker of Gopher netminder Sidney Peters to give UMD back a one goal lead at 4:50 of the third period.

"It's kind of my spot there," Stalder joked after the game.  "I knew I had to put it in."

Minnesota's power play again provided temporary relief for the Gophers, who reversed their goal scoring sequence from Potomak to Pannek for the 2-2 equalizer at 6:10.  

Enter Katherine McGovern and her senior teammates, who have spent four years attempting to knock off the Gophers, the NCAA defending champions for two of those four years.  Stalder's behind the back drop pass found a streaking McGovern who beat Peters on her blocker side to once again lift the Bulldogs back on top of Minnesota — this time for good — with 4:38 remaining in regulation.  

"This is huge for us, we haven't beaten them for our for years," said McGovern.  "This is a big momentum shift for us, knowing that we are a really good team and we could go really far."

UMD surrendered two power plays goals to the Gophers, but went 1-of-2 on its own extra skater attempts.  Bulldog goaltender Maddie Rooney made 28 saves, while Peters made 32 for Minnesota, who was also outshot by UMD 35-30.

The Bulldogs (14-4-3, 11-4-2) will look for their first series sweep over the Gophers (16-4-2, 12-3-2) since Oct. 29-30, 2010 tomorrow afternoon when they finish up the series at 3:07 p.m.

BULLDOG NOTES:  Lara Stalder led all scorers with three points in the skate (1g, 2a), figuring in each of UMD's tallies … UMD's leading scorer with 30 points in 21 games (10g, 20a), Stalder has compiled eight games with two or more points … Ashleigh Brykaliuk's assist on Stalder's power play goal gives her 12-straight games with a point, a career-long … Brykaliuk has 15 points (7g, 8a) over that span … Brykaliuk also leads UMD in career points against Minnesota with nine (3g, 6a) in 16 games … Prior to Friday's win, the Bulldogs last win against the Gophers was exactly five years ago, a 4-2 decision on Jan. 13, 2012 … The Bulldogs were 0-20-1 over that span until Friday's win .. UMD is now 5-3-3 against nationally ranked teams this season.