With their Western Collegiate Hockey Association first round playoff series locked in at home next weekend, the Bulldogs were free to just play Saturday afternoon at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, Minn.

Play the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team did, coming from behind twice for a 3-2 win to earn the series sweep against Minnesota State University, Mankato.  The Bulldogs were led by senior forward Katerina Mrázová, who scored twice for UMD and figured in all three of the Bulldogs goals.

After MSU went up 1-0 on a fluke shot that jumped over the shoulder of Bulldog goaltender Jessica Convery at 5:56 of the first period, UMD and Mrázová responded less than two minutes later.  Sophomore forward Sydney Brodt drove to the net, and her pass across the slot deflected right to Mrázová, who tied the game at 7:51.

The Mavericks managed to stun the NCAA's fifth-best power play 25 seconds into the second period with a shorthanded goal to take a 2-1 lead on UMD.  But the Mavericks three infractions in the second stanza didn't go unpunished by the Bulldogs.  Senior defenseman Catherine Daoust's slapshot from the point beat MSU netminder Katie Bidulka, and completed a successful power play passing sequence between Michelle Lowenhielm and Mrázová to draw the Bulldogs even again at 2-2 at 4:31 of the second period.

The Bulldogs power play — on the ice for more than seven minutes in the second period —  paid off once again midway in the third period.  UMD and Mrázová took the lead for good at 12:51 of the stanza when Mrázová buried her own rebound from one knee.

Convery finished with 20 saves for the Bulldogs, who outshot the Mavericks 35-22 and went 2-of-5 on their power play.  Bidulka had 32 saves for MSU, who fall to 3-21-0 and 5-26-1 in league play.

UMD (14-14-4, 10-11-3) will head back to the confines of AMSOIL Arena for the first round of the WCHA's playoffs.  The Bulldogs will host Bemidji State University on Friday and Saturday at 2:07 p.m., and if needed, Sunday.