OMAHA, Neb. -- For the second night in a row, it was a pair of power play goals in the third period that lifted UMD to a 2-1 victory over the University of Denver in the Bulldogs' second game of the NCHC Pod. The win over the Pioneers extends UMD's win streak to six in a row dating back to last season.
 
"Our first 40 minutes weren't good but that's what a team like Denver does to you," said head coach Scott Sandelin. "We were fortunate it was 1-0 going into the third and we talked about that and said it's a one goal game and we have to go win a third period. Our power play came through again and we got a big win."
 
The two teams went scoreless through the first twenty minutes, with the Bulldogs leading in shots 8-6.
                                               
The Pioneers would strike first in the second period when an errant puck was picked off by DU's defenseman Bo Hanson, who would find the back of the net on a shot through traffic from the point. Sophomore goalie Ryan Fanti made a stellar save when the Pioneers came down on a two-on-one. A pass found its way across the slot, with a shot that followed to which an outstretched Fanti made a right pad save. The Bulldogs trailed 1-0 heading into the final frame.
 
UMD found themselves on a power play with just under eight minutes to go in the third, and junior forward Jackson Cates buried the Bulldogs first tally in front with 6:56 remaining in the third period. Senior forward Nick Swaney threw a puck towards the slot and found the skates of J. Cates. Wyatt Kaiser also got an assist on the play. Just 24 seconds later, UMD again was a man-up. 24 seconds into the man advantage, J. Cates threw a puck towards the front of the net for a tip. Junior forward Noah Cates tipped the puck off the post and the puck bounced to senior forward Kobe Roth, who pounded it home. The Bulldogs finished the game on the penalty kill, with Kaiser making a huge block in the waning seconds and cleared the puck to seal the deal.
 
"What really stands out is how young he is" said Fanti of Kaiser. "Even his first couple games he's just been poised and patient and making smart plays. He's not too afraid to get a little out of his comfort zone, he's not just playing super safe."
 
UMD finished with 20 shots, while DU finished with 29. Fanti made 28 saves in his second career collegiate win, 17 of those coming in the second period alone. DU's goalie Magnus Chrona stopped 18.
 
The Bulldogs went 2-3 on the man advantage and held the Pioneers to an 0-4 evening on the power play.
 
J. Cates and Roth both score their second goals of the season, both on the power play, with J. Cates grabbing an assist as well. N. Cates grabbed two assists on the evening and Swaney and Kaiser both added an assist as well.
 
UMD takes the next few days off and will play next against the University of Miami on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4:05pm.