And that was that.

Nick Swaney's goal with 6:18 remaining in overtime lifted the University of Minnesota Duluth to a 2-1 home victory over the University of Nebraska-Omaha Friday night in the opener of the best-of-three National Collegiate Hockey Conference quarterfinal playoff series. Swaney's slapper from inside the left faceoff circle came after junior center Jade Miller had his shot blocked by Omaha defenseman Nate Knoepke and redirected to Swaney.

The No. 3 Bulldogs (22-11-2 overall) got on the board first 3:31 into the second period when Riley Tufte sailed a wrist shot from the the top of the left faceoff circle past Maverick goaltender Evan Weninger for his ninth goal of the season.  That 1-0 lead held up until Omaha (9-23-2), with Weninger pulled for an extra attacker, struck with 55.8 to go in regulation. 

Swaney, who has now two overtime game-winners to his collegiate credit, boosted his team-leading goal total to 14. Miller and sophomore defenseman Mikey Anderson each were credited with an assist on the sudden death-tally, extending their career-high scoring streaks to six and five games, respectively. Tufte, meanwhile, has scored once in each of the last four games

"It was playoff hockey for sure," said UMD head coach Scott Sandelin. "We didn't have a good first period. I thought our overall 60 minutes needed to be a lot better but we found a way to grind it out and get a big overtime goal. Give Omaha credit, it's what we expected. They came in here and played hard -- you know they want to keep playing too."

UMD junior Hunter Shepard, who came within a minute of posting his sixth shutout of the year (and first-ever against the Mavericks) made 27 saves while Weninger had 39 stops.  

The two teams will meet again Saturday at AMSOIL Arena with the Bulldogs looking to close out the series and earn their fourth consecutive NCHC Frozen Faceoff berth.