The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team lost 5-2 tonight against the University of Denver. Despite battling back from a deficit for the third time this weekend, UMD was unable to come out on top.

The Bulldogs were left with a three-goal deficit after the first period, the biggest goal differential they'd faced all weekend. 

UMD subbed in goaltender Matthew Thiessen following those three goals. DU kept up their offensive frenzy, but Thiessen was ready as soon as he entered the crease. He ended the night with a .933 save percentage after facing 30 shots. 

Tonight, it was the power play, rather than the penalty kill, that sparked the Bulldog's offense in the second period. Ben Steeves wasted little time, scoring from the point just five seconds into the power play and 33 seconds into the period. 

Nearly halfway through the game Steeves joined freshman Matthew Perkins on a breakaway, pulling defenders towards him. Perkins used that room to line up his shot at the unprotected far side, scoring UMD's second. 

Just when the gap looked like it could be closed, the Pioneers scored to extend their lead going into the second intermission. They scored again in the third and the Bulldogs were called for two different game misconducts, finalizing the 5-2 defeat. DU outshot UMD by only one (35-34), but led throughout.

"We've just got to put our nose to the grind and come back to work on Monday," Thiessen told the media after the game. "We're going to learn from these games. We're going to learn from the mistakes that we made and things along the way."

The Bulldogs face another top team in No. 3 North Dakota next weekend, traveling to Grand Forks for a 7 p.m. faceoff on Friday, February 23 and a 6 p.m. start on Saturday, February 24.