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No. 2 North Dakota edges Colorado College, 1-0

Posted at 11:17 PM, Jan 31, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-01 01:17:47-05

GRAND FORKS — Shane Pinto scored the game’s only goal midway through the third period to give No. 2 North Dakota a 1-0 victory over Colorado College Friday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

“We played hard and played the right way tonight,” head coach Mike Haviland said. “It was a tight checking game. We had a breakaway and a 2-on-1 in the second and then they get a nice bounce on their goal.”

Goalie Matt Vernon finished the game with 29 saves and held North Dakota to the fewest goals at home this season.

“I thought Matt was really good tonight,” Haviland said. “He made the saves early on that you need to in this building. He gave us a chance to win and it was a great sign for him to play the way he did tonight.”

After North Dakota held a 10-5 advantage in shots during the first 20 minutes, the teams each had 20 shots in the final two periods. Pinto led all players with six shots, while Wilkie, a transfer from North Dakota, led the Tigers with four.

“We had to tighten it up, we know we can play this way and tonight we applied it,” Haviland said. “If we have that playoff mentality, you’re going to give yourself a chance to win the game.”

The teams will wrap up the two-game series on Saturday, Feb. 1, beginning at 7:00 pm (CT).