The No. 6 University of Minnesota Duluth led or was even with the No. 1 University of Wisconsin for 51:44 of the highly anticipated rematch Saturday, but it was the final 8:16 that broke the hearts of the Bulldogs on a snowy afternoon at AMSOIL Arena.

UMD again saw the Badgers come from behind to win 2-1 and sweep the Western Collegiate Hockey Association series that could have gone to either side all weekend. The Bulldogs returned their stingy defense to the ice, which again held Wisconsin – that nation's top scoring – to far under its scoring average prior to the series, and UMD's penalty kill held up just as well – as discipled Bulldog squad kept the Badgers scoreless in three attempts Saturday and in all four attempts in the series.

"Proud of our kids, they came to compete," said UMD head coach Laura Schuler. "Again, they continue to buy in with what we want to do in terms of our game plan and really gave it their all. I'm just really proud of our girls, you know, we are right there, we are right there. Puck goes in, one more opportunity goes our way, it's a different outcome. Just have to keep pushing forward."

Just like the night before, the Bulldogs showed no fear of the nation's top team, and after a flurry of action late in the first period, UMD finally broke through for a 1-0 lead. It came off a quick release rip from Nina Jobst-Smith from the right point, and Olivia Mobley was there to bury the rebound for her team-leading 14th goal of the season at 17:30. The assist was also Jobst-Smith's 50th of her Bulldog career.

The Bulldogs had ample chances to add to that lead, including a 1-on-1 play from Caitin Kraemer 6:37 into the second that beat Ava McNaughton but not the inside of the post. The Bulldogs would have another post in the third period and two missed breakaway attempts in the ensuing game before Wisconsin's Laila Edwards finally found a way past Eve Gascon at 6:14 of the third period. Then, in cruel fashion, the Badgers Sarah Wozniewicz struck at 11:44 to take their first regular time lead of the series – one they would never relinquished.

After both teams were an even 15 shots on goal in the opening frame, the Badgers outshot the Bulldogs 33-12 in the final 40 minutes, and 48-27 in the game. Eight of Wisconsin's shot came off their power plays, while UMD was never awarded a power play in the contest. Gascon was again spectacular in between the pipes for the Bulldogs with 46 saves – the third most saves the sophomore goaltender has made this season, second 40+ save game she has recorded in a row, and fifth 40+ games this season. 

McNaughton had 26 saves for the Badgers, who improved to 27-1-2 and  21-1-2 in the WCHA, and stay unbeaten against UMD in all four regular season games this year.

UMD (15-11-2, 10-10-2) will head to Bemidji State University next weekend for a road series that will get underway at 6:01 p.m. Friday night.

BULLDOG NOTES: Nina Jobst-Smith is now just the ninth-ever Bulldog defenseman to record 50 or more assists at UMD … the blueliner now stands alone in ninth place for career defenseman assists, one back from Sidney Morin in eighth (51) and three behind Jobst-Smith's former teammate Ashton Bell (53) … UMD held Wisconsin to just 2.00 goals over the weekend, far below the 5.60 goals per games average they came into the weekend with … the Bulldogs stayed out of the box – it tied their second lowest series penalty count of the season and lowest series since Nov. 22-23 against the Beavers.