UND rallies for tie

GRAND FORKS (AP) — Jordan Schmaltz scored midway through the third period to lift North Dakota to a 2-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association tie with Bemidji State on Saturday.

Schmaltz scored at 8:37 of the third period to tie the game, giving UND a crucial point in the standings and moving it into a second-place tie with Minnesota in the race for the WCHA’s McNaughton Cup.

With two games remaining, St. Cloud State leads with 35 points. UND and Minnesota have 33 points.

“We wanted two points but we didn’t leave many opportunities in the tank tonight,” North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol said.

The Beavers (6-18-8, 5-14-7) led twice but couldn’t pull out a victory.

Phil Brewer opened the scoring in the first period but North Dakota (18-9-7, 13-6-7) tied it on Mitch MacMillan’s goal. MacMillan also had a goal in Friday’s North Dakota victory.

Danny Mattson gave Bemidji State the lead again at 12:27 of the second period. That lasted until Schmaltz’s power-play goal midway through the third period.

Andrew Walsh made 28 saves for Bemidji State, 13 in the third period and two in overtime. Zane Gothberg made 16 saves for UND.

“Their goaltending in the second half of the game was the difference,” Hakstol said. “He didn’t have to make a ton of saves, but it’s when you make them.”

Tags: college sports, sports, hockey