Third-period goal lifts UND to win

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Danny Kristo had a goal and an assist to help North Dakota beat Nebraska-Omaha 2-1 on Friday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Kristo assisted on Rocco Grimaldi’s tying goal in the first period and scored the game-winner for North Dakota (15-8-6, 10-5-6) at 11:34 of the third period. With the win, North Dakota moves into a second-place tie with the Mavericks (16-11-2, 12-7-2) in the WCHA.

North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol said getting two points was important because of Saturday’s game on the outdoor ice at TD Ameritrade Park.

“It’s huge,” Hakstol said. “We had to get this one here tonight. This is the one where conditions are under control.”

Zane Gothberg started in goal for seventh-ranked North Dakota and made 33 saves, including 13 in the third period. He held Nebraska-Omaha scoreless on four power plays.

“He was very solid. There were a handful of really good saves mixed in,” Hakstol said.

Ryan Walters, the nation’s leading scorer, had the only goal for No. 14 Nebraska-Omaha, which was outshot 36-34. He scored on a backhander at 7:53 of the first.

But North Dakota answered just over a minute later when Grimaldi netted the tying goal at 9:00.

“The Grimaldi goal settled us in,” Hakstol said. “Halfway through the first, we were back on our heels.”

Dayn Belfour made 34 saves for the Mavericks, but he had little chance to stop the go-ahead goal by UND sniper Kristo.

After making a pair of saves, Kristo stuck the puck past a sprawling Belfour and through traffic in front of the net.

Saturday’s game will be the first outdoor game played by North Dakota.

Tags: sports, und, hockey