GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Minnesota Duluth’s Luke Loheit broke a 1-1 tie with just over two minutes to play in regulation to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 victory over North Dakota on Saturday night from Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.
Despite falling behind 1-0 in the second period, UND (10-11-4, 4-8-2 NCHC) took control of the game over the final 30 minutes of play, but the late tally from the visitors ended a five-game winning streak for the Fighting Hawks against UMD (10-13-1, 5-9-0 NCHC) and forced a weekend split.
Drew DeRidder put together another solid performance in net for the hosts, stopping 24-of-26 shots to drop to 5-5-2 on the season. The fifth year now has five straight starts allowing three goals or fewer dating back to Dec. 9 at Western Michigan.
Following a scoreless first 20 minutes that saw the Bulldogs carry a 13-3 shot advantage, UMD struck first on a goal from Isaac Howard to take a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the middle frame. NoDak was able to respond after some sustained offensive pressure, when Mark Senden forced a turnover, skated down the ice and snapped a shot through the arms of goaltender Zach Stejskal to knot the contest at 1-1 after two periods.
In the third, it was the hosts who created plenty of chances, including a great look for Jackson Blake on a power play, but the freshman’s shot rattled off the iron and stayed out to keep the game tied. Moments later, a turnover in the defensive zone allowed Minnesota Duluth to take a 2-1 lead, as a centering pass deflected off a Loheit’s skate and into the net with just over two minutes to play.
The Fighting Hawks had a few final looks at the cage, but could not capitalize, as the Bulldogs held on for the 2-1 victory.
North Dakota will hit the road for the first time since early December to battle Miami for a two-game series beginning on Friday night at 6:05 p.m. from Goggin Ice Center in Oxford, Ohio.
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