The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team battled No. 5 University of Denver in the first game back from the bye week, ultimately losing 5-4 in overtime. UMD overcame a two-goal deficit twice and successfully killed a seven minute penalty, but still skated off the ice with only one point. 

Defenseman Owen Gallatin had a stand out night with assists on each of the Bulldogs' four goals. He set a new career high for points in a single game and assists in a game. Previously, he scored three points against St. Cloud State in November and had six different two assist performances. 

DU had control early, scoring the game's first two goals. Then, Luke Bast was assessed a minor penalty, a major penalty, and a game misconduct. The Bulldogs began the second period with a seven minute penalty kill and down to five defensemen. 

It turned out to be a major inflection point in the game. After killing all seven minutes, there was a new energy on and off the ice for UMD. 

"Just to get any momentum out of it is huge," Captain Luke Loheit told the media after the game. "I think we had confidence going into it, knowing we could do it. Taking it minute by minute, shift by shift."

Thirty seven seconds after the kill ended, sophomore defenseman Aiden Dubinsky scored his first collegiate goal. Prior to tonight, Dubinsky was sitting at 23 career assists (9 in 2023-24). 

A power play, this time in favor of the Bulldogs, completed UMD's first comeback of the night. With thirty seconds left on the advantage, Alternate Captain Quinn Olson used a Pioneer defender as a screen. The game was tied 2-2. 

DU scored three minutes later and then again halfway through the third period. UMD had a familiar deficit to overcome once again.

With three minutes left, the Bulldogs pulled goaltender Zach Stejskal. Then, they did it again. Freshman defender Aaron Pionk scored his second goal of the season. The play was reviewed for goaltender interference, but it was determined the goal was on the shot prior to any potential interference. 

UMD pulled Stejskal again with two minutes left and the man advantage worked in their favor again. Loheit walked in from the boards and made it 4-4, sending the game to overtime. 

With 3:14 left of extra time, the Pioneers closed in and took back the lead one last time. The Bulldogs picked up one conference point, bringing them within two of Omaha with another game to play. 

"I'm proud of our guys for battling back," Head Coach Scott Sandelin said. "It could have gone really south after the first period, especially with how the second period started. Our guys stepped up and did a great job. They kept the game within reach and got some goals at the end."