Bulldogs 5, Mavericks 2 (updated)

Well, if you didn't like defense, this was your game. Shots were 48-38 in favor of Duluth, which included a UMD-record 24 shots on goal in the second period. The two teams combined for 141 shot attempts, too.

But it came down to finishing, and the Bulldogs' top guns did the trick, with Justin Fontaine, Jack Connolly and Mike Connolly scoring all five goals. Those three also have nine of their team's 10 goals this season -- four each for Fontaine and Jack Connolly.

"Those three players are three of the better players in college hockey," Mavericks coach Troy Jutting said.

Mavericks freshman Eriah Hayes and senior Geoff Irwin had goals. Austin Lee stopped 43 shots but gave up a couple he probably should have stopped. Meanwhile, the Mavericks -- even with the shot disparity -- missed some quality opportunities when it was still a 2-1 game. They also had just six shots on goal and gave up a short-handed goal on four power-play tries.

"Top to bottom, we weren't strong in any area," Irwin said.

Here is today's game story in The Free Press. Here is the Duluth News-Tribune story.