This time there was a real winner. Kelly Pannek and Kate Schipper each scored an empty-net goal in the final 1 minute, 35 seconds as the No. 5 Gophers edged North Dakota 4-2 on Friday night in a WCHA women's hockey game at Ridder Arena.

In between those goals, Rebekah Kolstad scored for the Fighting Hawks, who had goalie Lexie Shaw out, with 55 seconds to play.

In mid-November, these teams met in Grand Forks and played two 2-2 ties, with the Gophers winning both shootouts after scoreless overtimes. Those shootout wins gave Minnesota two extra points in the conference standings, but the games officially counted as ties.

Minnesota (22-5-3, 18-4-3-2 WCHA) led for most of this rematch.

"I'm really happy with how our team approached the game," Pannek said. "They're a physical team, and they love to bring that, especially at our home rink. Just the mentality we had and the composure, not really giving into the trap, using our feet, and using our speed.

The Gophers took a 1-0 lead on Caitlin Reilly's goal at 6:59 of the opening period. Katie Robinson made it 2-0 at 11:32 of the second.

North Dakota's Hallie Theodosopoulos got her team's first goal with 1:05 left in the middle period.

It was still 2-1 Minnesota, when North Dakota pulled Shaw late in the third and three more goals were scored in quick succession.

"I thought really from the drop of the puck, we were in control, generating chances," Gophers coach Brad Frost said.

Sidney Peters had 19 saves for the Gophers, Shaw 25 for UND (13-12-6, 10-10-5-3).