The 2024-25 University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey season came to a heartbreaking end Saturday in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Quarterfinals after No. 12 Arizona State University escaped with a 6-5 overtime win at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz.

The Bulldogs, who never trailed in the game until the overtime goal by the Sun Devils, had three players record two or more points, including NCHC Rookie of the Year Finalist Max Plante, who had a goal and two assists for three points in the contest. Jayson Shaugabay had his second two-goal game of the season, while Aaron Pionk posted two assists.

The Bulldogs wasted no time piling on the offensive effort to attempt to survive another day, and it started with UMD's most impactful player against the Sun Devils all season channeling that continued effort once again.At 8:22 of the first period,  Max Plante walked in on the left side and sniped his fifth goal against ASU, extending his six-game scoring streak against the Sun Devils this year.

Plante's goal ignited the offense, and UMD doubled that lead on Matthew Perkins first goal of the season on a wrister from the blue line at 16:26. Just over two minutes later, Shaugabay ripped the first of his two tallies from just above the extended goal line to make it a 3-0 game before the first intermission.

The Sun Devils erased that lead however, and it took just 5:01 into the second frame for them to do it. Artem Shlaine struck first on a delayed penalty just 1:04 into the second period, and then the Sun Devils scored at 3:11 and then again at 5:01. When the dust settled, it was a 3-3 skate, the first of three more tied score lines to come.

The Max Plante to Shaugabay connection emerged for a second time to break the tie at the 11:11 mark, and after Plante drove to the net and dished to Shaugabay to his right, Shauagaby netted his second of the night to pull UMD back ahead again at 4-3.

ASU again tied it up at 9:36 of the third period on Shalaine's second of the game, but the Bulldogs took back the lead less than two minutes later on a falling Dominic James effortl in the slot, his 14th tally of the season. 

A mere 2:15 later, ASU pulled even for a third time in the evening on a power play goal from Bennett Schimek that made it a 5-5 contest, a score that would hold into the third intermission.

For a fourth time in six games this season, the Bulldogs and Sun Devils needed overtime to pick a winner, and just 6:08 into extra time, ASU found the back of the net courtesy of Ryan Kirwan to seal the series sweep for the Sun Devils.

UMD outshot ASU 49-39, including 15-8 in the third period and 6-2 in overtime. Adam Gajan made 33 saves for the Bulldogs, while the Sun Devils had two goaltenders in net – Luke Pavicich, who started the game and gave up three goals on 13 shots, and Gibson Homer, who earned the win with 34 saves in 46:08 of action. ASU, who improved to 21-13-2 and advances to the NCHC Final Faceoff, was 1-of-2 on its power play. UMD only had one extra skater attempt in the game (0-1).

The Bulldogs finish the season 13-20-3 overall.

BULLDOG NOTES: Max Plante scored in all six games he played against ASU this season, and ran up a five goal, five assist tab for 10 points … Plante's three point effort Saturday night was ninth multiple point effort of the year and a career-high three points … Dominic James scored his 14th goal Saturday night and ended the season as UMD's leading scorer with 30 points (14g, 16a) … James finishes his career with 29 goals and 47 assists for 76 points in 110 games as a Bulldog.