MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota is ranked No. 2 in the country and was playing at home on Saturday afternoon.
Apparently, UND didn't feel that was enough of an advantage.
The Sioux gave the Gophers 10 power plays, including a five minute major and a five-on-three power play for a full two minutes during Minnesota's 5-2 win on Senior Day at Ridder Arena.
Defenseman Megan Bozek and forward Amanda Kessel each had a goal and four points, Roseau, Minn., native Sarah Erickson had two goals and three points and Minnesota grabbed a series split in the final game of the regular season.
UND's top line continued to produce as Jocelyne Lamoureux, the nation's leading scorer, notched No. 33 of the season while top-line center Josefine Jakobsen continued on her torrid pace by scoring for the sixth time in six games. But that was all the offense for UND, which fell to 20-10-3.
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UND's top line has now been on the ice for 21 of the team's last 22 goals.
The Sioux, who finished third in the league, will host a best-of-three, first round Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff series against Bemidji State at 2:37 p.m. Friday and Saturday (and Sunday, if necessary).
The Gophers had 13 minutes of power-play time in the first period alone. UND ended up with 12 penalties for 35 minutes, including a major for checking from behind against Monique Weber. That came just 4:03 into the game.
Steph Ney stopped 24 shots for UND, while Noora Raty made 19 saves for the Gophers, who improved to 27-5-2.
Lamoureux officially won the WCHA scoring title, finishing with 64 points in 28 games - 10 ahead of second-place Brianna Decker of Wisconsin (54 points). Lamoureux-Kolls, who played most of the season on defense, finished third with 53 points.
