The fourth-ranked University of North Dakota hockey team began their NCHC conference schedule on the road at 18th-ranked Minnesota-Duluth. Entering Friday's game, the Hawks had a 4-2-0 in the last six games against the Bulldogs. Recently, UND has experienced some success at Amsoil Arena winning three straight games.
At the 9:03 mark of the first period, Jayden Perron would give UND a 1-0 lead. Assists Cameron Berg and Hunter Johannes. That was Johannes's first assist of the season.
At the 11:06 mark of the first period, UND would take a 2-0 lead with a goal from d-man Logan Britt forwards Owen McLaughlin and Bennett Zmolek picked up assists on the goal. That's goal number two for Britt.
At the 18:03 mark of the first period, senior forward Louis Jamernik V would give UND a comfortable 3-0 lead with this beautiful goal. Jackson Kunz with the assist. The Bulldogs would challenge the goal for a high stick but were unsuccessful.
UMD would finally get on the board at the 12:13 mark of the second period, Bulldog forward Luke Loheit would score a power play marker to cut into UND's lead. That was goal number three for the graduate forward. Assists, Quinn Olson and Ben Steeves. Score 3-1 UND.
Let's take another look at Loheit's power play goal!
At the 14:54 mark of the third period, UND was on the power play, and UMD forward Cole Spicer had a chance to score shorthanded, but he was denied by senior UND goalie Ludvig Perrson. This would prove to be a big-time game-saving stop. The Bulldogs would make things interesting. At the 14:44 mark of the third period, Anthony Menghini scored his third goal of the year to cut UND's lead to 3-2. Assists, Joey Pierce, and Aaron Pionk. It was definitely a lucky bounce, a UND defenseman blocked a shot and it ended up on the Bulldog player's stick, and ended up in the back of the UND net. Score 3-2 UND.
UND would get a power play in the waning seconds of the game, and UND would smartly cash in. At the 19:21 mark of the third period, UND forward Cameron Berg would ice the game with an unassisted power play goal. Final Score: UND 4 UMD 2.
While UND might have let the Bulldogs back into the game, they were able to gut out the win. It wasn't pretty, but it's still a win and a great start to NCHC play. UND has now won four straight games at Amsoil Arena.
