Minnesota edges Seawolves

Published 2:14 pm Saturday, January 12, 2013

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ben Marshall’s power-play goal in the last minute lifted top-ranked Minnesota to a 4-3 win over Alaska-Anchorage on Friday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Marshall’s shot slipped under the arm of Seawolves’ goalie Rob Gunderson with 50 seconds to play. Gunderson had 26 saves.

The Gophers (15-3-3, 7-3-3) scored twice following a major penalty and game misconduct on Tyler Currier with 4:08 left in the game. They went 3-for-6 with a man advantage.

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“We found a way to win tonight and you have to do that,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. “It was exactly the kind of game I expected it to be. They play hard and in your face.”

Nick Bjugstad scored on the power-play at 16:49 to tie the game 3-3. Bjugstad had two goals and Kyle Rau added a goal and an assist.

Christian Isackson and Nate Schmidt had two assists apiece.

The teams exchanged goals into the third period when Alaska-Anchorage (3-12-4, 1-11-3) went up 3-2 on Scott Allen’s goal at 10:37.

But the Gophers owned the stretch thanks to the late Alaska-Anchorage penalty. The Seawolves have lost seven straight games.

Minnesota outshot the Seawolves 22-8 in the last two periods.

Adam Wilcox won his nation-leading 13th game for the Gophers. He made 17 saves.