GRAND FORKS, N.D. – There's something about Mike Eaves-coached teams against top-ranked opponents.
 
After falling behind No. 1 North Dakota a little more than seven minutes into the first period, the Wisconsin men's hockey team scored three unanswered goals to upset the nation's top team 3-1 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
 
"It's one of those wins that you'd put under the signature win column," Eaves said. "It gives us some juice. It solidifies some of the things we've been trying to teach and preach as a coaching staff."
 
Wisconsin beat then-No. 1 North Dakota in February of 2004 for Eaves' first win against a top ranked team. With Friday's triumph UW made it three straight wins against a top-ranked foe and the 11th total under Eaves.
 
Although the Badgers allowed the first goal of the game, they had a quick response to tie the score at one. After Aidan Cavallini skated around the back of the UND net on the rush, he got a wrap-around shot off. Ryan Wagner got a first try on the rebound, but then UW's Corbin McGuire tracked down a loose puck in the crease with a scrum in front of UND netminder Matt Hrynkiw. He then stuffed the puck past Hrynkiw 10:33 into the first period.
 
Wisconsin outshot UND 12-8 through the first stanza, and kept up the pressure in the early going of the second period to take the lead for good. Just 37 seconds into the frame, Cameron Hughes served as the pivot on a pretty passing play, receiving a Grant Besse in the slot, then fed Luke Kunin in the low slot, who ripped the one-timer past a diving Hrynkiw to put UW 2-1.
 
Eight minutes and 29 seconds later, Wisconsin had the lead. This time Adam Rockwood set up the one-time pass to Jedd Soleway in front. Rockwood spun around in the low right circle and backhanded a pass to the wide open Soleway, who promptly put the puck away to make it a 3-1 UW advantage.
 
"Well I think in the middle period we played on our toes and we took advantage of some scoring opportunities," Eaves said. "I thought the first period we were kind of getting used to the atmosphere and had some turnovers. But we settled down and played better in the second, scored."
 
Playing in front of a sold out crowd of 11,788, North Dakota turned up the pressure in the third period. But freshman goaltender Matt Jurusik stood tall between the pipes for Wisconsin.
 
UND peppered Jurusik in the early stages of the frame, but Jurusik turned aside all 12 shots he saw in the third. He stopped 29 shots total to earn his third straight win of the season, and it was the fourth straight game in which he allowed two or fewer goals.
 
"This isn't just any team. This is a good hockey team," Eaves said of North Dakota. "To have that signature win really could be something special for this group as we move forward."
 
Wisconsin will go for the sweep of North Dakota Saturday night. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.