But the Black Bears were a little too comfortable with the advantage--they hibernated until late, too late, in the third period.

"When it was 3-2 I thought we were still in the game for sure," Capuano said. "But we couldn't get a break and they played well the rest of the way."

Gophers 7-4 at St. Paul Civic Center Minnesota  2-1-4--7 Malsa  2-0-2--4

First Period--1, Me, Capuano 37 (Corkum, Beers) 2:43; 2, Me, Thyer 8 (Pellerin) 6:21; 3, Mn, Snuggerud 29 (Hankinson, Pederson) 6:35; 4, Mn, Bischoff 21 (Chorske, Skarda) 18:02. Penalties--Me, Carney (roughing) :22; Mn, Richards (tripping) 2:13.

Second Period--5, Mn, Miller 15 (Olimb, Chorske) 14:52. Penalties--Me, Burke (holding) 9:43; Me, Scremin (interference) 14:12; Strot (cross checking) 15:18.

Third Period--6, Mn, Anderson 17 (B. Hankinson, Olimb) 2:59; 7, Mn, Anderson 18 (Olimb, Snuggerud) 6:59; 8, Mn, Gernander 9 (Williamson, Strot) 7:58; 9, Anderson 19 (Richard, Pederson) 8:34; 10, Me, Pellerin 28 (Guidotti, Scremin) 9:33; 11, Bellefeuille 5 (Cambio, Jenkins) 19:39.

Saves--Mn, Stauber, 4-5-5--14; Mn, Stolp (1:56) x-x-1--1; Me, DelGuidice 16-14-8--38; Snow (1:56) x-x-0--0.

Power Play Opps: Mn, 2-5; Ms, 2-4.

A: 15,860