Blake Biondi's second period goal wasn't enough as the No. 4 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs dropped a 2-1 decision to the No. 6 North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Saturday night in Grand Forks, N.D. The Bulldogs walk away with a weekend split and move to an 8-3-1 overall record on the season. 
 
Biondi fifth goal of the season was the only score for UMD on the night. Biondi's line mates Quinn Olson and Dominic James both chipped in assists on the goal. In the Bulldogs net, Ryan Fanti made 21 saves on 23 Fighting Hawk shots. It's the first time Fanti has given up two or more goals since UMD's loss at Western Michigan on the first weekend of November. 
 
Six minutes into the game, UMD's Carter Loney was charged with a five-minute major penalty for boarding, giving North Dakota a chance to score first in back-to-back nights. With the extended man-advantage, the Fighting Hawks would tally just four shots towards Fanti. Minnesota Duluth successfully killed off the major penalty but couldn't get anything past UND's Zach Driscoll. Neither team would find the back of the net through the first 20 minutes. 
 
The game would open in the second period with UMD outshooting North Dakota 8-5 in the middle frame. Power plays to both teams led to scoring chances for both sides. With just under six minutes to play in the second period, the Bulldogs would take the lead. While in the neutral zone, Olson made a pass to James who took the pass at the North Dakota blue line. James cut across the line and fed a beautiful pass through the zone to Biondi who was cutting towards the UND net. In one motion, Biondi snapped a shot high blocker side on Driscoll to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. The goal for Biondi is his fifth of the season, which ties him with Tanner Laderoute for the team lead in goals. North Dakota would cut into the UMD lead with just five seconds remaining in the second period. A power play goal from Ethan Frisch tied the game at 1-1 heading into the third period. 
 
In the final frame, the Bulldogs would again outshoot the Fighting Hawks, this time 8-7, but would come up short. Just five minutes into the third period, a goal from Brendan Budy gave North Dakota a 2-1 lead, in which they held onto for the win.   
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will return to AMSOIL Arena next weekend (Nov. 26 and 27) for a matchup with Alaska Fairbanks. Puck drop on Friday evening is set for 7:07 PM with the teams rematching on Saturday at 6:07 PM.