The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs fell 3-2 to No.1 Denver in overtime of game one during the home series. Although the final decision gave UMD their first overtime loss of the season, they will pick up one conference point.
Scoring for UMD in Friday's game was
Dominic James and
Ben Steeves. Notching one assist each tonight was
Quinn Olson,
Wyatt Kaiser,
Isaac Howard, and
Derek Daschke.
In the first period, the Bulldogs went on the power play after Denver was called for holding just 4:30 into the game. With seven seconds left in the power play. James made a shot on goal, and Olson grabbed the rebound, passing it back to James who fired a rocket in the net, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. UMD then went on another power play at 11:21. Just 21 seconds in, Daschke passed the puck to Howard in the left face-off circle. Howard then passed the puck over to the right circle where Steeves was waiting alone from the time Daschke had the puck. Steeves ripped a one timer past Magnus Chrona and gave the Bulldogs a two goal lead. Late in the first UMD went on the penalty kill. Massimo Rizzo received the puck and scored a power play goal to close the lead 2-1. UMD killed off three of three of their four penalties and led shots on goal 11-9.
In the second period, UMD killed off their two penalties and only allowed four shots on goal. The Bulldogs were given one power play opportunity but were limited to just one shot on goal. Thiessen made 13 saves in the second to keep the Pioneers scoreless. With only six shots on goal, UMD was also held scoreless through the period.
Going into the third still up by one, UMD was fighting to keep the lead. Just a minute in, the Pioneers scored and tied the game up. With 2:44 left in the game, Denver took two penalties for roughing and cross checking, and UMD took a roughing penalty, putting UMD on the power play. The Pioneers held UMD to only one shot on goal once again. With no success on the power play, the game then headed to overtime.
The Bulldogs were looking good at the beginning of the power play, but Denver picked up the puck on a turnover. Denver skater Tristan Broz sent a puck just inside the net next to the pipe and secured a win for the Pioneers in overtime.
UP NEXT Minnesota Duluth will face-off with No. 1 Denver again tomorrow night at 7:07 p.m.
