On Friday, the No. 6 University of Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team took to the ice with a fire that pushed them past Minnesota State Mankato 8-2 at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth.

Caitlin Kraemer would start things off for the Bulldogs with a goal on the power-play five minutes into the first period, and less than three minutes later, Clara Van Wieren would tip her hat into the ring, adding another shot into the back of the net. Maverick’s Claire Vekich would retaliate, slipping the puck past the UMD defense, but Van Wieren would respond with another goal for the Bulldogs.

In the second period, Vekich would return to close the gap to 3-2 one minute into gameplay. UMD would soon capitalize on another power-play to give Kraemer another shot into the net. UMD’s Olivia Wallin would extend the lead to 5-2 minutes later, and just over halfway into the period, Mary Kate O’Brien would make things 6-2 Bulldogs.

In period three, UMD would keep the energy going strong, finding Van Wieren with another opportunity to slip past the Mavericks for her third goal of the game along with her first career hat-trick. With just two minutes left in gameplay, Mobley would score her second goal of the night, solidify UMD’s 8-2 win over MSU-Mankato, and clinch their first-round home advantage in the WCHA playoffs first round.

UMD and MSU-Mankato will return to face off once more on Saturday, February 15th at 1PM, click here to view the Bulldog’s full season schedule.