In an eerily similar contest to game one of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference quarterfinal series on Friday, fifth-ranked North Dakota defeated Colorado College, 2-1, on Saturday at Engelstad Arena to win the series in two games.
 
Tyler Kleven scored the game-winning goal late in the second period and Zach Driscoll made 29 saves, including seven during a 6-on-4 Tiger advantage in the last two minutes, to send the Fighting Hawks to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff next weekend in St. Paul, Minn.
 
Each team put the puck in the net twice during Saturday's contest, but a controversial call by the officials early in the game kept the game scoreless.
 
Ray Christy scored at the 4:40 mark of the opening period for an apparent 1-0 Tiger lead, but it was wiped off the board after a lengthy review by the officials. A shot from the point by Nicklas Andrews bounced off UND goalie Zach Driscoll and deflected off Christy in front of the net through Driscoll's legs. However, it was determined Christy knocked the puck into the net with his hand and the goal was disallowed.
 
"You look at how that first period went, I hope they got that decision right," Colorado College head coach Kris Mayotte said.
 
Matteo Costantini broke the scoreless deadlock just 1:28 into the second period. A shot off the back boards came to Carson Albrecht, who sent the puck towards the net. A CC defender whiffed clearing it in front of the crease and Costantini was all alone on the back side with an open net.
 
Just like Friday night, the Tigers responded with a goal of their own to tie things up at 1-1. On the power play, Stanley Cooley deflected a shot by Nicklas Andrews past Driscoll for his sixth tally of the season at 3:10 of the middle frame.
 
"I thought we were good tonight," Mayotte said. "We competed from the start. We had a lot of guys step up and rise to the occasion. We lose the goal, then they get the next two power plays and we kill both of them. They score early in the second period but we come right back and tie it up.
 
"I have had one or two teams that have been able to respond like this team and that's the type of team that wins championships."
 
Gaber scored a power-play goal of his own with 5:03 remaining in the second to give the Fighting Hawks the lead for good.
 
The Tigers were by far the better team in the third period, outshooting North Dakota, 15-3, including seven during a power play for the final 2:18 after Tyler Kleven was whistled for a five-minute major for cross checking and a game misconduct.
 
"We felt we were playing well enough that if we got one at any point in the third, we were going to get the next one," Mayotte said. "I love coaching so much because you ask a group of guys to go all in, and these guys go in knowing there is a good chance you are not going to finish the way you want to finish. For this team to have the type of season they had, then outshoot North Dakota 15-3 in the third period, I could not be more proud."
 
With Vernon on the bench for a 6-on-4 advantage for the final two minutes, Hunter McKown hit the post with one minute left, followed by a scrum in front with a loose puck. Unfortunately, the puck never found the net and the home team held on for the victory.
 
"I don't know how that one stayed out," Mayotte said. "We had chances at the end. It's not how we wanted to finish our story this year, but this is a very special group of guys. From the 6 am practices before the season began, what they gave was really special.
 
"It hurts. When you are in the battle with these guys everyday and how hard they go after what they want, I wish it was different for them."
 
Colorado College wrapped up Mayotte's initial season with a 9-24-3 record and a seventh-place finish in the NCHC.