In a game that it led for just 21 seconds, the No. 4 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team battled to a 3-3 tie and Western Collegiate Hockey Association shootout win against Minnesota State University, Mankato at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center -- Mankato, Minn.
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The Bulldogs, who earned two points with the tie and subsequent league shootout win, are now 6-3-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the WCHA. The Mavericks remain winless in conference play (0-5-1 and are now 2-5-1 overall.)
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After a scoreless first period, it was MSU that climbed on the board first off a rebound just 1:27 into the second frame. But 95 seconds later, UMD answered with a slapshot from junior defenseman Tova Henderson from the left point to knot the game at 1-1.
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That one goal tie lasted just 3:13 into the third period, a frame that saw each team net two goals apiece and began with the Mavericks retaking a 2-1 lead. UMD pulled even att 2-2 at the 13:43 mark when Olivia Wallin shoveled in her own rebound, her third point of the series, with assists credited to Olivia Mobley and Nina Jobst-Smith. The Bulldogs then took their first lead of the skate at 18:20 off a wrister at the top of the circle from Clara Van Wieren – her fifth of the season.Â
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UMD's 3-2 advantage was fleeting, however, and the Mavericks made it a 3-3 game just 21 seconds later with just 1:19 left in regulation. Despite a five minute, 3-on-3 overtime period, both teams ended with one WCHA point.Â
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The Bulldogs grabbed their second league point eight skaters into the mandated shootout when Henderson came through for UMD and senior netminder Tindra Holm made her eighth-straight stop to secure WCHA point number 17 of the season.
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Holm ended the afternoon with 22 saves in all (not including the eight shootout stops), while MSU's Hailey Hansen had 33. The Bulldogs outshot the Mavericks 36-25 in the contest while neither team scored on its power play – MSU 0-of-3, and UMD 0-of-1.
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UMD will have another 13 days off from outside competition before hosting the University of Minnesota at AMSOIL Arena on Nov. 15-16.