Solid defense leads Gophers past Tigers

Solid defense leads Gophers past Tigers

Published Dec. 7, 2012 10:35 p.m. ET

Late in Friday's WCHA contest at Colorado College, Minnesota defenseman Justin Holl took a hard crash into the boards, which left a large sheet of glass crashing to the ice in pieces.

That play proved the fourth-ranked Gophers hockey squad isn't going lightly into its upcoming holiday break. So did the outcome of Friday's game, as the Gophers claimed a hard-fought 4-2 road victory -- Minnesota's fifth win in its last six games.

"It was really satisfying," said Minnesota coach Don Lucia after the win. "We had to weather their storm in the second period. ... But we did a good job in the third."

Minnesota got two goals from Sam Warning as it held off a feisty Colorado College squad. Tom Serratore, a Colorado native, posted Friday's game-winning tally, as he lit the lamp at the 6:37 mark of the third period to break a 2-2 tie.

"It was awesome," Serratore said succinctly, after his fifth goal of the season.

Minnesota, now 11-3-2 overall, put the game away with just 1:08 remaining in regulation, as Zach Budish hammered home an empty-net goal. The visitors were also greatly aided Friday by the play of goalie Adam Wilcox, who had 24 saves.

The Gophers and the 8-8-1 Tigers will meet again Saturday night.

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