MacWilliams, Kristo score in 3rd, North Dakota rallies to beat Niagara 2-1 in NCAA tournament

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Andrew MacWilliams of Calgary and Danny Kristo scored in a 57-second span early in the third period in North Dakota's 2-1 comeback victory over Niagara on Friday in the NCAA West Regional semifinals.

Second-seeded North Dakota (22-12-7) will play Yale on Saturday in the regional final for a spot in the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh. Fourth-seeded Yale beat top-seeded Minnesota 3-2 in overtime in the opener.

Third-seeded Niagara finished the season 23-10-5.

MacWilliams tied it with an unassisted goal, his second goal of the season, at 1:56 of the third, and Kristo put North Dakota in front at 2:53 with his 26th goal.

Jason Beattie of Newmarket, Ont., scored for the Purple Eagles in the second period.

Zane Gothberg made 28 saves for North Dakota, and Carsen Chubak of Prince Albert, Sask., stopped 41 shots for Niagara.