Sports

Strong third period leads U past Denver

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Mar 3, 2013 at 7:32 am

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) Minnesota scored three times in four minutes of the third period to beat Denver 5-1 and keep alive its hopes of a Western Collegiate Hockey Association title.

Nick Bjugstad's power-play goal at 9:52 of the third period Saturday awakened the Gophers, who scored again at 12:24 and 13:44. Minnesota was just 1-for-9 on the power play in the series.

Zach Budish added an empty-net goal.

Minnesota (22-7-5, 14-7-5) pulled within two points of St. Cloud State with two games remaining. The Gophers and North Dakota have 33 points apiece.

Denver (17-11-5, 12-9-5) took a 1-0 lead on Scott Mayfield's goal at 3:34 of the first period. It was all Minnesota from there.

Gophers goalie Adam Wilcox made 31 saves.