Minnesota Edges Colorado College 2-1
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nico Sacchetti's first goal of the season early in the second period Saturday was the game-winner as Minnesota avenged Friday's loss to Colorado College with a 2-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association win over the Tigers.
Colorado College beat the Gophers 2-1 Friday on Tim Hall's goal in the last minute, sending the fourth-ranked Gophers to their fifth loss in their last six Friday games.
This time, Minnesota goalie Kent Patterson was up to the task despite being banged up in a second-period collision in net. Patterson made 19 saves for the Gophers (17-9-1, 13-5-0), including a point-blank stop of Jeff Collett with 6 seconds remaining to move into sole possession of first place in the WCHA.
Minnesota has 26 points, two ahead of top-ranked Minnesota Duluth, which is playing out of conference this weekend, and four ahead of Colorado College. The Tigers could have moved into a first-place tie with a win.
Patterson hurt his arm in a collision with David Civitarese to the right of the Minnesota goal late in the second period. But Patterson stayed in the game. Patterson has played every minute of every game this season.
Jaden Schwartz put the Tigers on top at 15:02 of the first period and Colorado College was poised to add to that lead with a power play late in the period. But Nate Condon scored short-handed for Minnesota at 17:41 to tie the game at 1-1. The teams were a combined 0-for-9 on the power play.
Minnesota had a goal waved off in the second period.
Goalie Josh Thorimbert had 35 saves for the Tigers (14-9-1, 11-7-0).
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