Connolly Leads Minn. Duluth Past Minnesota 6-4
DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- Junior forward Mike Connolly became the first Minnesota Duluth player since 1972 to score five goals in a game, leading the Bulldogs past Minnesota 6-4 on Saturday and into first place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Connolly's final goal, an empty-netter in the closing minutes, sealed it for the Bulldogs (18-5-4, 13-4-2), who took over first place in the WCHA with the win. Minnesota Duluth has 29 points, one more than idle North Dakota.
Connolly scored the first four goals for Minnesota Duluth. Jack Connolly and Justin Fontaine each assisted on the first three goals. The line, playing together for the first time since a sweep of Clarkson on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, finished with 12 points. Jack Connolly had four assists.
Minnesota (11-11-4, 8-9-3) kept it close, getting goals from Kevin Wehrs and Mike Hoeffel in the second period. The Gophers got within 4-3 on Cade Fairchild's goal and with 5-4 on a goal by Nate Condon at 18:25 of the third.
Both teams had a goal waved off.
Kent Patterson had 34 saves for Minnesota and Aaron Crandall had 32 saves for Minnesota Duluth. Crandall replaced Kenny Reiter, who was in nets in Friday's 2-2 tie.
It was the first game in the past 10 between the teams decided by more than a goal.
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