The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team moved another step closer to clinching the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Penrose Cup with a 3-0 victory over the University of Denver on Friday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. The Fighting Hawks (14-4-1) reclaimed first place in the NCHC with 41 points, ahead of Minnesota-Duluth (39) and St. Cloud State (37), which both lost Friday night. UND has a game in hand on both teams. If UND wins four of its last five conference games, it will clinch a second-straight Penrose Cup as NCHC regular-season champions. Shane Pinto scored twice for UND and Jasper Weatherby once in the shutout of the Pioneers (7-11-1). UND goalie Adam Scheel made 24 saves in notching his fourth shutout of the season. DU goalie Magnus Chrona stopped 26 shots. The two teams meet again tonight. (Check out more photos from Russ Hons here.)