OMAHA, Neb. -- Jake Parenteau unleashed a deep wrist shot to produce the game-winner in overtime Friday, as the Minnesota men's hockey squad held off Nebraska-Omaha, 3-2, to stay atop the WCHA standings.
Minnesota now has 36 points, two ahead of second-place Minnesota-Duluth.
The host Mavericks led, 2-1, at mid-game, before Minnesota's Nick Bjugstad produced a goal that would eventually send the game into an extra session.
The Gophers (22-11-1 overall) unleashed 32 total shots on goal in the contest. The visitors also got an early score from Sam Warning.
In the net, goalie Kent Patterson recorded 22 saves to help preserve Minnesota's triumph.
"In the first period our guys were doing their jobs," Patterson said afterward, "blocking shots and playing hard. (Later) we told ourselves we need to bear down, and we did.
"We're building confidence," Patterson added.
Nebraska-Omaha (14-13-6) got goals from Jayson Megna and Brock Montpetit in a losing effort.
The Gophers and Mavericks return to battle Saturday at 7 p.m., in a game set to be televised on FOX Sports North.
