Minnesota sweeps UND in nightmare defensive weekend

MINNEAPOLIS — UND arrived in Minneapolis flying high, ranked No. 3 nationally with a perfect 4-0 record. It left with an understanding of how far it needs to go to get back to the NCAA Frozen Four. UND's young defensive corps had a nightmare weekend at Minnesota, giving up odd-man rushes and struggling to defend rush opportunities. It culminated in a 5-3 loss to rival Minnesota on Friday in 3M Arena at Mariucci. The Gophers swept UND for the first time since November 2011. It marked the first time UND has been swept under second-year coach Dane Jackson. "We were a little fat and happy," Jackson said. "Our staff didn't have our guys ready to play at a high enough level. We got punched in the mouth. Now, it's time for us to respond and not let it define us." UND, which posted back-to-back shutouts against Bentley a week earlier, allowed five goals on back-to-back nights. The Fighting Hawks did that last October as well before making a run to the Nationa