The rematch was much more of a test.

The No. 2-ranked Gophers defeated St. Lawrence 5-1 on Tuesday at Ridder Arena to sweep the nonconference women's hockey series. But unlike Sunday, when Minnesota won 10-0, this game was competitive for slightly more than 2½ periods.

"Obviously it was a much different game tonight than Sunday, and we knew it would be," Gophers coach Brad Frost said. "We knew St. Lawrence was too good to roll over. They came out with a lot more passion, pride and heart, and we didn't."

Freshman Kelly Pannek, who had a hat trick in the series opener, gave the Gophers (18-1-2) a 1-0 lead at 2:47 of the opening period. Junior Hannah Brandt scored her team-leading 18th goal at 19:13 of the second period to make it 2-0. Her goal turned out to be the game-winner.

But St. Lawrence (9-8-2) got within a goal when Brooke Webster scored an unassisted at 2:45 of the third period.

Goals by Maryanne Menefee and Rachael Bona, 50 seconds apart in the 13th minute of the middle period, enabled Minnesota to take a more comfortable 4-1 lead.

"St. Lawrence really carried the play for stretches of the game," Frost said. "When we got pushed and they cut it to 2-1, I thought we really picked it up and put the game away."

Bona, who also had a hat trick Sunday, scored her second goal of this game into an empty net at 17:33.

Brooke Wolejko kept the Saints close for most of the game with 38 saves. Amanda Leveille had 21 saves for Minnesota.