Behind two goals from graduate transfer Casey Gilling, No. 4 Minnesota Duluth defeated No. 6 North Dakota by a score of 4-1 on Friday evening in Grand Forks. The win ends North Dakota's four-game win-streak and moves the Bulldogs to 8-2-1 on the season and 3-1-1 in NCHC play. 
 
On the night, Gilling posted two goals, while both Dominic James and Kobe Roth also found the back of the net for UMD. Additionally, Roth tallied an assist to give him two points in the win. Wyatt Kaiser, Hunter Lellig, Koby Bender, Tanner Laderoute, Quinn Olson, and Owen Gallatin all added one assist during Friday night's win. Junior goaltender Ryan Fanti got the start in net and made 23 saves for his seven win of the season. Fanti has now given up one or less goals in four-straight games.  
 
North Dakota broke the scoreless tie early in the first period. Just 2:50 into the game, a three-on-one opportunity for the Fighting Hawks was finished off by Gavin Hain on the backdoor, giving UND a 1-0 advantage. Midway through the first, a two-minute interference call to North Dakota's Tyler Kleven gave the Bulldogs a power play chance. Off the ensuing faceoff, Kaiser fed Bender at the left point for a one-timer opportunity. The shot would be blocked by a Fighting Hawks defender but landed right on the tape of Gilling in the slot, who snapped a shot past Driscoll. The goal was Gilling's third of the season and tied the game at one just over 10 minutes into the first period. Two minutes later, Minnesota Duluth took control. While in transition, James hit Roth with a pass at the North Dakota blueline then bolted towards the net. Roth made a beautiful touch pass back to James, who chipped the puck top-corner far side on Driscoll to give UMD a quick 2-1 lead. For James, the goal is the second of his UMD career. The Bulldogs held the lead through the end of the first period and took the 2-1 advantage into the second period. 
 
Neither team would find the back of the net through the first half of the second period. UMD would get an opportunity to extend their lead just past 10 minutes in the middle frame. Following a good forecheck and a Fighting Hawks defensive zone turnover, Gilling would strike again. While at the blueline, Gallatin slid the puck towards the UND net where Laderoute was tied-up with a defender. Gilling slid through the slot, picked up the puck and fired a shot high blocker side on Driscoll, finding the back of the net for his second of the night. The goal came with 7:07 remaining in the second period. Minnesota Duluth outshot North Dakota 9-4 in the middle frame and took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. 
 
Through the first 14 minutes of the third, the Bulldogs would outshoot the Fighting Hawks 13-8. With 7:17 remaining in regulation, a long shift in the Bulldogs defensive zone led to a Bender hooking penalty, giving North Dakota a late power play opportunity. UND would tally five shots while on the man-advantage, but Fanti stood tall. The failed power play gave the Bulldogs penalty kill unit a perfect 6-6 on the night. North Dakota would elect to pull their goalie with just over four minutes left on the clock. While 6-on-5, Olson poked the puck to open ice and found Roth for an empty-net goal to seal a 4-1 UMD win in game one.
 
Up Next
Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota will rematch tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 20) in Grand Forks. Puck drop is set for 6:07 PM.