GRAND FORKS, N.D. – No. 17 North Dakota scored three third period goals to defeat the Alaska Anchorage hockey team 4-3 Saturday.

The Seawolves enjoyed a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of goals by Nicolas Erb-Ekholm.

Erb-Ekholm's first goal of the game was deflected on net by a UND defender just 80 seconds into the game. Jordan Xavier and UAA goalie Christian Stead assisted on the goal. The last time a UAA goalie earned an assist was Olivier Mantha against Lake Superior State on Nov. 4, 2017.

North Dakota assisted on Erb-Ekholm's second as well. Erb-Ekholm's shot was well wide of the goal but was redirected by the stick of a UND defender at 2:38. Nolan Nicholas and Joe Sofo assisted on the goal.

UND finally got on the board with an unassisted goal at 14:28, but Eric Sinclair ripped a one-timer top shelf to give UAA a 3-1 lead at 16:32 of the second. Tomi Hiekkavirta and Tanner Schachle assisted on the goal.

The Fighting Hawks would score its final three goals in a span of 1:24 in the third period.

Matt Kiersted started the trio of goals with a high shot on the powerplay at 8:05.

North Dakota went on the powerplay just 38 seconds later after Alaska Anchorage was whistled for a penalty after the play. The powerplay lasted only five seconds before Rhett Gardner scored.

Gardner followed up with the game-winning goal 42 seconds later.

The Seawolves pulled the goalie in the final minute and nearly came up with the equalizer when Tomi Hiekkavirta rang a shot off the crossbar.

Kristian Stead finished with 32 saves for the Seawolves.

UND out-shot UAA 36-23. The Fighting Hawks were 2-for-5 on the powerplay and the Seawolves were 1-for-5.

UAA (1-10-1, 0-7-1) will take a week off before playing at Minnesota State Dec. 7-8.