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GRAND FORKS, N.D. — UNO hockey had been 2-6-2 in its previous 10 games. North Dakota hadn't lost at home in 10 months.

But you don't play the game on paper as the Mavericks proved Friday night.

They scored twice in the first five minutes and never trailed to knock off the top-ranked Fighting Hawks 6-3. UND's last loss at Engelstad Arena also came against UNO, a streak that lasted 321 days.

Overall, North Dakota (16-2-2, 7-1-1) had won 10 straight and was unbeaten in 15 games. Its only other loss this season came Oct. 19 against Minnesota State.

But UNO (9-9-3, 3-5-1 NCHC) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in the NCHC series opener.

Taylor Ward scored 49 seconds into the game. After North Dakota tied it, Chayse Primeau put away an unassisted goal for a 2-1 lead at the 4:56 mark.

Jason Smallidge then extended the Mavs' lead to 3-1 three minutes into the second period. North Dakota answered a minute later, but Zach Jordan put UNO up 4-2 off an assist by Tristan Keck with 7:17 left in the period.