The final score in LaBahn Arena Saturday night did not reflect the Bulldog effort that had just skated off it.

The No. 1 University of Wisconsin scored two empty-net goals in the final 36 seconds of the game to ice the No. 10 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team 5-2 in the final Western Collegiate Hockey Association action of 2019.

Following their early blueprint Friday night, the Bulldogs got on the board first on a Gabbie Hughes between the legs, five-hole effort tally at 5:55 to give UMD the opening 1-0 lead.  The sophomore center's 10th goal of the year was the first in seven games, and both Ashton Bell and Anna Klein -- who had a total of three points in the series (2g, 1a) -- had assists on the goal.

The Badgers pulled even 20 seconds into the second period on a goal from Sophie Shirley, and then went ahead on a slapshot from the point, off the stick of Maddie Rowe that beat Maddie Rooney high on her blocker side.  Less than a minute later, Hughes created another scoring change, and from the right circle, slid the puck over to a streaking Sydney Brodt in the slot who one-timed the puck past Badger netminder Kristen Campbell to draw UMD even at two goals apiece.

Wisconsin struck again on its power play at 9:28, a rebound put back from Britta Curl from her knees to Rooney's left that ended up being the eventual game-winner, and after two periods of play, the Bulldogs trailed the Badgers 3-2.

UMD would come no closer, despite hitting two pipes in the final eight minutes of the third period that simply didn't go the Bulldogs way.  Wisconsin added empty-net goals at both 19:24 and 19:40 to run their final tab to 5-2.

Rooney had 36 saves on the night, while Campbell had 15 for Wisconsin.  The Bulldogs were never awarded a power play, but the Badgers went 1-of-3 with an extra skater. Wisconsin which outshot UMD 41-17 in the game, improves to 18-1-1 and 10-1-1 in WCHA play.

UMD (8-8-2, 4-6-2-1) will be off from outside competition until the MN Cup comes to AMSOIL Arena Jan. 4-5.  The Bulldogs host Minnesota State University, Mankato at 4:07 p.m. on Jan. 4.