UMDBulldogs.com SWEEP STORY!

The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team netted just a third of the goals Sunday afternoon that it had the day before, but it was one goal too many for the University of North Dakota.

The Bulldogs edged out the Sioux 3-2 on the ice of the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, ND to sweep UND in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association clash. The win extends UMD's current winning streak over the Sioux (2-5-3) to nine straight, and gives head coach Shannon Miller an impressive 18-1 record against North Dakota all-time.

UMD got on the board first when freshman forward Laura Fridfinnson scored her fourth goal of the season, connecting on a pass from fellow U-22 Team Canada mate Jocelyne Larocque at the 11:02 mark to take a 1-0 lead. It was an advantage the Bulldogs would never relinquish, extending it just five minutes and 30 seconds later as freshman forward Haley Irwin scored her second goal of the weekend, compliments of an assist from UMD's point leader Saara Tuominen (5-9=14).

After UMD took a 2-0 lead into the locker room, North Dakota pulled together an even strength goal 9:11 seconds into the second stanza to force the stakes higher at 2-1. But the Bulldogs relied yet again on a new friend they appear to have made over the weekend; a highly-effective power play. UMD scored its fifth goal of the series with a man advantage when sophomore defenseman Heidi Pelttari's slap-shot found the back of the net. Freshman Iya Gavrilova and Laroque assisted on the 16:30 goal, which would prove to be the game-winner when it gave the Bulldogs a fleeting 3-1 cushion.

North Dakota would respond just one minute later when Jodi Holland finished her second tally of the night to tighten the game at 3-2. Despite a flurry of action in the final few minutes of the third period in front of the Bulldog net, netminder Joanna Ellison secured her third victory in a UMD jersey, making 12 saves in the process. UND's Brittany Kirkham finished the contest with 25 saves Sunday to finish the series with 64 saves.

The Bulldogs (7-2-1, 6-2), will take a well deserved break this week, with no games scheduled this weekend. Four UMD players -- Tuominen, Pelttari, Elin Holmlov and Kim Martin -- and all three of the Bulldog assistant coaches -- Caroline Ouellette, Julie Chu and Jessica Koizumi -- will be hitting the ice with their respective national teams in the Four Nations Cup, held in Leksand, Sweden.

UMD next returns to the ice Nov. 17-18 when they host interstate rival the University of Minnesota. The puck will drop on their storied rivilary at 3:37 p.m.