Demonstrating remarkable resiliency, Colorado College refused to be denied on Friday.

Senior Tim Hall's dramatic goal with 36 seconds left in regulation, combined with a spectacular 38-save performance by sophomore netminder Josh Thorimbert, lifted CC to a stunning 2-1 victory over the University of Minnesota in the opener of a two-game series at Mariucci Arena.

With the triumph, the No. 11-ranked Tigers climbed to within two points of Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth in the WCHA standings, with an 11-6 record in league play. They're 14-8-1 heading into Saturday's 5:07 p.m. (CT) rematch.

The 5-8, 175-pound Hall, who was instrumental in killing a five-minute Gophers power play and drew double duty on two lines after sophomore Archie Skalbeck received a major penalty for checking from behind at 7:37 of the third period, struck for the game winner just 41 seconds after UM's Nick Bjugstad spoiled Thorimbert's shutout bid.

On the ice in Skalbeck's spot with third-unit forwards David Civitarese and William Rapuzzi, Hall fought for position in front of Patterson as Civitarese won a faceoff in the right circle and muscled the puck to Rapuzzi in the slot. Rapuzzi snapped a quick wrister toward the cage, and the rebound caromed out to Hall, who silenced the crowd of 10,007 by knocking a short forehand shot just inside the far post.

In addition to helping Colorado College limit the No. 2-ranked Gophers to four attempts on target during the major to Skalbeck, which resulted in the second of just two home-team power plays for the night, Hall also skated his regular shifts as center on CC's fourth line.

Senior center Nick Dineen struck early in the second period, producing a 1-0 Tigers lead that lasted until Bjugstad pulled Minnesota even with goaltender Kent Patterson on the bench in favor of a sixth attacker at 18:43 of the final frame.

DIneen soloed in to beat Patterson with a five-hole backhander after sophomore left wing Alexander Krushelnyski forced a turnover along the right boards just inside the Gophers blue line. It was the team captain's 13th goal of the season, tying his career-high total of a year ago. He's collected a point in six consecutive games.

Colorado College went 0-for-4 on the power play.

Minnesota, which dropped to 16-9-1 overall and 12-5 in league play, out-shot CC, 39-27, including a 15-9 margin in the scoreless first period.