The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team probably would have taken a mulligan to reopen play Saturday afternoon at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisc.

The Bulldogs surrendered two goals to the No. 1 University of WIsconsin less than four minutes into the first period, creating a hole that ended up just too deep for UMD to climb out in the Badgers 3-1 win and series sweep.  The Bulldogs held the typically highly offensive Badgers to just three goals Saturday, and kept Wisconsin, who had four power play attempts, unsuccessful with an extra skater.

Wisconsin got out to a roaring start, with a goal by Brette Pettet 2:04 into action, followed almost immediately by a tally from Sophia Shaver at the 3:40 mark of the first period.  Down 2-0, the Bulldogs settled in and kept the Badgers off the board for the remaining 15:20 of the first period and the entire second period.

Outshot 26-11 in the first 40 minutes, UMD was dealt another defensive blow when Maddie Rolfes gave Wisconsin a 3-0 lead at 8:03 of the third period.  But just 49 seconds later, UMD answered in the form of — who else —rookie forward Naomi Rogge, who netted her 10th goal of the season with Catherine Daoust and Sydney Brodt on the assists.  The remaining 11 minutes stayed scoreless, despite two Badger power plays the Bulldogs effectively killed off in the final period of play.

Wisconsin outshot UMD 41-17, and senior Bulldog goaltender Jessica Convery kept UMD in the game with 38 saves — the second best effort of her UMD career.  The series sweep sends the Badgers back into first place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with a record of 19-1-0, and 10-0 -0in league play.

UMD (9-10-0, 5-7-0), will stay on the road more challenged when it heads to Minneapolis, Minn. next weekend to face a ranked opponent for a third-straight weekend.  The Bulldogs, who will wrap up a three-week road span and the 2017 portion of this season, will face the No. 6 University of Minnesota at 7:07 p.m.next  Friday and 4:07 p.m. Saturday at Ridder Arena.