DULUTH, Minn. -- The Northern Michigan University hockey team dropped a 6-3 non conference outing at No. 7 Minnesota-Duluth Saturday.

The loss drops NMU to 11-11-6 on the season while UMD improved to 17-10-1.

The Bulldogs put NMU down 3-1 in the first after goals from Alex Iafallo, Charlie Sampair and Adam Krause.

The Wildcats scored a power play goal in the first when senior forward Reed Seckel scored on assists from junior forward Shane Sooth and sophomore Gerard Hanson at the 12:35 mark of the opening frame.

The Wildcats cut the UMD lead to one goal at the 7:01 mark of the second period when senior defenseman Jake Baker scored an even strength goal. Seckel and freshman forward Robbie Payne assisted on the play.

The Bulldogs scored two more goals in the second to carry a 5-2 lead into the third. Kameron Kulman scored an even strength goal at the 12:15 mark before Justin Crandall scored a shorty with just 28-seconds left in the period.

UMD added on another goal at the 4:23 mark of the third when Jared Thomas scored.

The Wildcats were able to cut the UMD lead to 6-3 when senior forward DJ Vandercook scored at the 9:01 mark of the third on assists from junior forward Joseph Manno and freshman defenseman Jordan Klimek. It was the second goal of the weekend and season for Vandercook.

NMU was outshot 39-18 in the outing including a 13-5 mark in the third period. Seckel led NMU with four shots.

Junior goalie Michael Doan played the first two periods in net making 21 saves on 26 shots faced. Sophomore Derek Dun played the third period saving 12-13 shots faced.

NMU went 1-3 on the power play and held UMD to 0-3 on their man-advantage.

The Wildcats return home for a two-game WCHA series Feb. 13-14 when they host Bemidji State at the Berry Events Center.