Looking to draw first blood in its series opener at the World Arena, Colorado College wasn't able to buy a break on Friday night.

The University of Minnesota used a pair of goals by junior center Taylor Matson to hand the Tigers a 4-1 defeat that dropped them to 3-3-1 overall and 1-2 in WCHA play for the season.

CC, which went 0-for-6 on the power play and allowed a shorthanded goal for the second consecutive Friday, could muster only a second-period tally by freshman left wing Jaden Schwartz, who scored for the fifth time in seven games.

Schwartz was one of eight first-year players suited up for Colorado College, which played without the services of senior right wing Stephen Schultz, sophomore center Rylan Schwartz and sophomore forward Scott Winkler. The older Schwartz will return to the lineup for Saturday's rematch after serving a one-game suspension resulting from a major penalty he incurred in last weekend's 1-0 victory at Minnesota State University. Schultz, who was sick, is questionable while Winkler will remain sidelined with an injury.

The Gophers, out-shot by a 28-24 margin, got 27 saves from junior netminder Kent Patterson while improving to 4-3 overall and 2-3 in league play. Patterson now is 3-0 between the pipes.

The only goal he gave up came at 9:06 of the middle frame when the younger Schwartz shelved a wrist shot from the inside edge of the right faceoff circle after taking a pass from senior Tyler Johnson on a two-on-one rush into the Minnesota zone.

Freshman center Erik Haula struck with the visitors a man down at 10:53 of the first stanza after being sprung on a breakway by senior Jay Barriball, who added an empty-net goal for UM with 15.5 seconds remaining in the contest.

Matson's first red lighter at 18:34 of the first period proved to be the game winner. He also scored on a deflection at 16:59 of the third. Junior defenseman Aaron Ness finished with a pair of assists for the Gophers.

CC goalie Joe Howe made 20 saves in the loss.