Minnesota State University, Mankato scored two power play goals and added an even strength tally to upset No. 5 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team Saturday at AMSOIL Arena in the second game of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association quarterfinals. The loss sets up a winner-takes-all finale tomorrow at AMSOIL, with the winner advancing to the WCHA Final Face-Off semifinals next weekend at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn.

MSU never trailed in the contest, and scored on its power play midway through the first period for the game's first lead.  UMD equalized four and a half minutes later when Gabbie Hughes, sliding to her knee,  finished a long rebound off a shot from Elizabeth Giguere to draw even at 1-1.

The Bulldogs outshot the Mavericks 17-5 in the opening period, but UMD fell victim to MSU's power play again in the second period.  Alexa Paddington put the Mavericks up 2-1 at 9:01, and MSU's Brittyn Fleming made it a 3-1 game 1:21 later.

That score would hold up despite an onslaught of shots on goal for UMD in the third.  The physical contest resulted in the Mavericks whistled for penalties three times in the final stanza, but the two Bulldog power plays didn't materialize.  UMD drilled 16 shots on net in the final period and held the Mavericks to just two, but couldn't get any closer to MSU on the scoreboard.

Chantal Burke had 41 stops for the Mavericks, who went 2-of-2 on their power play.  UMD goaltender Jojo Chobak made 17 saves for the Bulldogs in just her third loss in 15 games for UMD this season.  The Bulldogs fall to 23-10-1 overall, while the Mavericks improve to 15-18-1.

Sunday afternoon at AMSOIL will be for all the quarterfinal marbles, with the winner advancing to the WCHA's Final Face-Off next weekend at Ridder Arena.  The puck will drop at 2:00 p.m.