For only the third time in 14 games, the No. 3 University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team suffered a setback Saturday, falling 2-0 to the University of Nebraska Omaha inside AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn.

The Bulldogs were chasing the second best start in program history, but it wasn't meant to be in game two of the National Collegiate Hockey Association series.

"We had plenty of chances to win and we didn't bury them and they capitalized," said head coach Scott Sandelin. They basically won the special teams game and that was the difference. It's the same thing I told the guys, and again its the third one in a row, right? We have to figure it out, you know, you put yourself in a good position Friday, which is great, but you have to be ready – though I don't think it's not that we're not ready. ?You've got to get the other team credit, too. That's this league. It's hard, man. People don't get it. There's not one team that's going to make anything easy for anybody on any given night. Saturdays are always hard. Fridays are hard, too. It's still part of the learning curve, right? ?You've got to get back to work on Monday." 

All three of UMD's three losses have come on Saturday, and two of those setbacks have been on home ice. Saturday, the Bulldogs and Mavericks were both scoreless through 20 minutes, but Omaha need just 1:57 into the second frame for what would be the eventual game-winner.

At the 3:25 mark, UMD thought they had equalized on a rebound put back at the post by Adam Kleber. But the goal was taken off the board after a review for goaltender interference, and that 1-0 Maverick lead would stand after 40 minutes.

Omaha doubled their lead on a power play goal that also initially appeared to be goaltender interference in the crease at 6:51. But after Sandelin challenged it, the goal was upheld, and UMD never recovered from the 2-0 deficit. 

The Bulldogs owned a 32-21 shots on goal advantage in the game, but were held scoreless on five power play attempts. Goaltender Adam Gajan made 19 saves, while his rookie counterpart in the Mavericks goal, Dawson Cowan had 32. Omaha finished 1-of-5 on its power play and improved to .500 at 5-5-0 and 3-3-0 in the NCHC.

"It's only our third loss, so I think it just kind of own it, accept it, move on as quickly as you can," said alternate junior captain Aaron Pionk after the game.?"Coach said in the locker room after just get back to work on Monday. That's what he said last two losses as well, just get back to work and get right back to it. And we did good responding both those times, we have a good competitor in Colorado College next weekend, so it'll be fun and just go get back to work on Monday."

UMD (11-3-0, 4-2-0) will hit the road again next to Colorado Springs, Colo. to face Colorado College. The Friday-Saturday series gets underway Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CDT.