OMAHA, Neb. -- Minnesota's men's hockey squad staved off Nebraska-Omaha, 3-2, Saturday, putting a WCHA title within its reach with one weekend of conference play remaining.
The Gophers now have 38 points in WCHA play, while second-place Minnesota-Duluth has 36. That means Minnesota can clinch a league title next weekend, when it hosts rival Wisconsin.
"You can't ask for much more," said Gophers standout Kyle Rau, who tallied two goals Saturday. We need to "just come out, and play two games."
Rau, a freshman from Eden Prairie, produced the key score of the game midway through the second period, when he notched a power-play goal off a pinpoint pass from teammate Erik Haula. That gave the Gophers an insurmountable, 3-1 advantage.
Minnesota (23-11-1 overall, 19-7-0 WCHA) got two assists from Nate Schmidt on the night, and also got a goal from defenseman Mark Alt.
Nebraska-Omaha (14-14-6 overall) got one goal from Matt White and another from Brent Gwidt in a losing effort.
The Gophers return to action next Friday, when they host Wisconsin at 7:07 p.m.
"I think it's a great time of year," said Alt, "heading into this final stretch."
