The No. 12 Golden Gophers men’s hockey team faced a disappointing 3-0 defeat against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs during their in-state rivalry matchup on Friday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci. With this setback, Minnesota’s record now stands at 2-4-1 overall (0-0-0 B1G), while the Bulldogs improved to 6-1-0 overall (0-0-0 NCHC).
Despite starting the game with strong energy and aggressive forechecking, the Gophers fell behind when UMD scored the first goal midway through the first period with a shot from just inside the blue line at the 6:59 mark. Shortly after, Minnesota incurred a slashing penalty, which allowed the Bulldogs to capitalize again during their power play, leading 2-0 by the end of the period.
The second period saw both teams enter a defensive battle, with neither side able to generate significant offensive opportunities. A crucial moment came when Minnesota goaltender made a remarkable stick save, preventing UMD from further widening their lead. However, the Gophers failed to capitalize on their own power play opportunity, ending the period still trailing 2-0.
The Bulldogs struck again early in the third period, taking a commanding 3-0 lead when they tapped in a loose puck at the side of the net. Despite drawing another power play opportunity shortly after, Minnesota was unable to turn the tide and could not break through UMD’s defensive structure.
This game marked the first time the Gophers were shut out since January 7, 2023, breaking a streak of 104 consecutive games with at least one goal. It also represented Minnesota’s first home shutout since March 6, 2020.
The Gophers struggled on special teams, finishing 0-for-2 on the power play, while the Bulldogs converted 1-for-3. Each team managed to win 26 faceoffs, with standout performances from Minnesota’s team leader in draws.
Head coach expressed disappointment after the game, stating, “We played a really good first four minutes, but the next 56 were not very good for us. We couldn’t score a goal and get the effort to make it more exciting for the fans.”
Looking ahead, Minnesota will have an opportunity to bounce back as they compete for a series split against the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Saturday night. The game will be broadcast live on FOX9+ and streamed via B1G+, with coverage on the Gopher Radio Network. The Gophers are eager to regain their offensive momentum and provide a better performance for their dedicated fans.