Who scored the first 3-on-3 overtime goal in National Collegiate Hockey Conference history?

Tony Cameranesi became the answer to that trivia question Saturday night when banged in a loose puck after the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Denver were unable to break a 1-1 deadlock in the NCAA-mandated five-minute overtime. The NCHC implemented a 5-minute, 3-on-3 overtime this fall with the winner getting an extra league point. Thus, the No. 13 Bulldogs came away with two points and No. 8 Denver one at AMSOIL Arena.

The Pioneers, who shut down the Bulldogs 3-0 Friday, went up 1-0 at 14:40 of the first period on Adam Plante's goal and maintained that lead -- despite being heavily outshot -- until just over six minutes had elapsed in the third period. That's when Cameranesi redirected a cross ice feed from freshman right winger Adam Johnson for his third goal of the season. The Bulldogs finished regulation with a 45-17 shot advantage, but managed to put just one puck on net during the ensuing overtime (compared to three for the Pioneers).

Cameranesi's 3 x 3 goal with 2:15 to go came after senior left winger Austin Farley's shot trickled through the pads of Denver goaltender Tanner Jaillet and into an empty goalmouth where the senior center was johnny on the spot. Picking up where it left off in regulation, the Bulldogs outshot the Pioneers 7-0 in the 3-on-3 overtime.

"(The 3-on-3 overtime) is different," said Cameranesi, who tops UMD in scoring with nine points. "We've worked on 3-on-3 a bit over the past couple of weeks and we've seen the NHL do it. It was definitely new for us and I thought it was fun."

Sophomore goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo finished with 19 saves for the Bulldogs (3-5-3 overall and 0-3-1-1/0 in the NCHC). Both teams went 0-for-4 on the power play.

UMD will be at Colorado College next Friday and Saturday for a pair of NCHC bouts before taking the Thanksgiving weekend off.