WCHA Playoffs: Rau leads Gophers in OT; SCSU, MSU, UND win

The first round of the WCHA playoffs started Friday. All 12 teams in the conference were on the ice. Game two for each series will be played at the higher seed on Saturday. Game three for each series, if necessary, will be played on Sunday.

#1 St. Cloud State vs. #12 Alaska-Anchorage
The Huskies had no trouble with the conference’s last place team, winning in blowout fashion, 6-1.

#2 Minnesota vs. #11 Bemidji State
Ben Marshall’s second period goal gave the Gophers a 1-0 lead until the Beavers pulled its goalie and tied the game with 38 seconds left in regulation. Bemidji State continued to battle in overtime, but Kyle Rau knocked in a rebound in front of the goal to give Minnesota a 2-1 win.

#3 North Dakota vs. #10 Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech outshot UND, 32-24 but Zane Gothberg was solid in goal, leading UND to a 5-3 win.

#4 Wisconsin vs. #9 Minnesota Duluth
John Ramage scored the game-winning goal on the power play late in the third period. The Badgers added an empty-net goal in the final seconds to secure the 3-1 victory.

#5 Denver vs. #8 Colorado College
Five different players scored in Denver’s 5-3 win.

#6 Minnesota State vs. #7 Nebraska Omaha
Chase Grant scored at the 7:04 mark in overtime to lead the Mavericks to a game one win, 4-3.