Photo by: John Cheney/Clarion

Heading into tomorrow’s face off with No. 7 Colorado College, the hockey team remains the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, according to U.S. College Hockey Online, despite splitting a two-game series with No. 4 Minnesota last weekend.

The Golden Gophers ended DU’s 12-game winning streak on Saturday with a 6-1 victory in Woodbury, Minnesota. The previous night the Pioneers beat Minnesota, winning 3-1.

Goaltender Wade Dubielewicz stopped 34 shots Friday to lead the Pioneers to victory. Although the Golden Gophers out-shot DU 9-5 in the first period, DU was first to find the back of the net early in the second. Ryan Caldwell beat Minnesota’s Adam Hauser to give the Pioneers the lead. Minnesota evened the score at 1-1 at 13:35 in the second, but DU was able to take the lead for good with Max Bull’s shorthanded goal late in the period. Greg Keith sealed the victory for the Pioneers, scoring on a shorthanded, 3-on-1 goal seconds into the final period.

Saturday night the Pioneers denied Minnesota on all three of its power play chances. Friday, the Gophers scored three of its six goals on the power play. Minnesota took a 1-0 lead early in the first with a power play goal and added another goal in the second period. The Pioneer’s only goal came on a 5-on-3 power play. Lukas Dora scored in the second period off an assist from Connor James to come within one of the Golden Gophers. Minnesota answered with a goal late in the second and extended its lead with three goals in the third period. Goaltender Adam Berkhoel picked up the loss despite making 40 saves. With double the scoring chances, Minnesota out-shot the Pioneers 46-23.

The Pioneers will defend their home ice tomorrow at 7:35 p.m. and then travel to Colorado Springs to finish the season. DU leads the season series 2-0 and needs a win or tie either night to stay in 1st place.