DU sneaks by Bulldogs with 1-0 victory

Written by Austin Rush | Archived Nov. 10, 2020

The lone goal of the night sneaks past UMD net minder Hunter Shepard. Photo courtesy of Brett Groehler

A hard fought battle by the University of Minnesota Duluth tonight as they fall to Denver University 1-0, but just like last April in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Frozen Four national championship, UMD comes up a goal short.

At the 2:51 mark of the 2nd period, junior winger Logan O' Connor put home a lose puck that trickled out front. A little too much playing around with the puck behind the net by freshman Bulldog Dylan Samberg and sound fore-checking by Denver led to the lone tally on the night.

The Bulldogs blanked the nations top power play killing off all three Pioneer attempts. The most notable was UMD's final kill which came with 6:30 left in regulation. Junior forward Parker Mackay sacrificed his body several times and came with three massive blocks on the PK attempt. Sophomore net minder Hunter Shepard stood on his head as well during the two minute disadvantage coming up a few sprawling saves to keep Denver at bay and within one.

"I thought a couple of lines had some good shifts where they worked it down low but we got to have better body position, you got to have the determination to get there and you have to win battles against any team yet alone this team. said UMD head coach Scott Sandelin. "You have to fight for position in front of the net then bear down."

UMD won the shot battle 28-26 but obviously, found no answer for senior goaltender Tanner Jaillet tonight.

The series wraps up tomorrow night for another 7:07 p.m. puck drop as UMD aims for a series sweep over their National Collegiate Hockey Conference rivals.