The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey team is heading back to the WCHA (Western College Hockey Association) Final Five for the first time in three years, according to the Minnesota Daily.
Minnesota is currently awaiting the winner of the Thursday game between North Dakota and St. Cloud.
The Gophers bested Alaska Anchorage in a three game series with back-to-back wins to clinch a spot at this year's tournament which is held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Saturday's second game of the series didn't come easy for the Gophers as they were down 3-1 in the second period.
Zach Budish scored to make it 3-2 and then Nick Bjugstad scored to even up the game on the power play .
In the third period Erik Haula scored back-to-back goals in an 18 second span to give the Gophers a 5-3 lead.
According to SB Nation, Haula has five goals in the last three games.
From there Minnesota kept its foot on the gas pedal, winning the game 7-3.
Head Coach Don Lucia is proud of his team and feels last year prepared this team for their success.
"It's been a climb," Lucia said in an article for the Minnesota Daily. "There's been some frustration, but a year ago at this time... I said I don't think we are that far away. I don't know if everyone believed me at that time ... but this began a year ago."
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