GRAND FORKS, N.D.–The Minnesota men’s hockey team came into a hostile environment this weekend to face what could be the best team in the nation. 

They will come home with at least one win. 

Nico Sacchetti’s power-play goal five minutes into the final period gave the Gophers (10-8-3, 7-6-2) a 3-2 win over No. 2 North Dakota (16-6-2, 11-4-0) at Ralph Engelstad Arena Friday night. 

The Gophers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after the first period with goals from Mike Hoeffel and Jake Hansen, effectively taking the home crowd out of the game. The Sioux evened things up with power play goals from Brad Malone and Jason Gregoire. 

With the momentum on the Sioux side and the formerly dormant crowd alive and venomous, Sacchetti put the game-winning goal past Aaron Dell just three minutes later. Minnesota goaltender Kent Patterson held off the Sioux attack, tallying 37 saves. 

Minnesota will attempt to leave Grand Forks with a sweep Saturday at 7 p.m.