Despite a gritty effort by the Bulldogs to bring the game even after 40 minutes, the No. 2 University of Wisconsin flexed it's NCAA second-best offense for the last 20 minutes Saturday afternoon.

The Badgers escaped the No. 4 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team with a 4-2 win at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisc., using two power play goals late in the third period to overcome the Bulldogs.

After Wisconsin skated out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, UMD clawed its way back into the game in the second frame.  Gabbie Hughes skated behind the net and found sophomore Anna Klein in the slot, and Klein converted the one-time shot for her second goal of the season at 9:08.  Klein repaid Hughes on a 2-on-1 rush, and Hughes buried her third goal in as many games to decisively pull the Bulldogs even with Wisconsin at the 14:31 mark at 2-2.

UMD drew three penalties in a span of seven minutes midway through the third period, and it would be all the Badgers would need to get back on the scoreboard.  Britta Curl's shot from the point through traffic brushed UMD goaltender Maddie Rooney's arm to find the back of the net at 12:52 on the power play, and then Abby Roque struck at 15:56 on another power play tally to double Wisconsin's lead for good.

In all, Rooney made 40 saves on 44 shots (her second 40-plus save game in five outings), while UW's counterpart, Kristen Campbell, had just 14 for the Badgers.  Wisconsin, aided by extra skaters, peppered UMD 20-2 in the third period alone, and outshot the Bulldogs 44-16 in the game.  The Badgers finished the game 2-of-5 on the power play, while UMD was scoreless in its only attempt.

The two teams will collide again tomorrow in Madison -- UMD's sixth straight game against a top-4 team -- at 2:00 p.m.

BULLDOG NOTES:  UMD moves to 2-2-1 on the season and 0-2-1 in WCHA play, while the Badgers improve to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in league play...UMD is the first ranked opponent the Badgers have played this season... The Bulldogs have are 0-2 so far this season when they give up 40 or more shots in a skate...Gabbie Hughes is now fifth in scoring among all NCAA rookies (3g, 2a), and has compiled a goal in her last three games...Hughes is also tied for second for the most goals scored by a rookie in the NCAA, and is tied for first in the WCHA among all rookies in goals, but leads all WCHA freshman with five points.