UMD Sweeps Defending National Champs for Second Time This Season.

Sophomore forward Adam Johnson flies up ice against the Fighting Hawks last weekend.

Picture credit: Russel Hons

For the first time in team history, the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team swept the season series against the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

Fridays 5-3 victory along with Saturdays 4-0 victory extended the Bulldogs winning streak over UND to five games, which is also the first time in team history UMD has won five straight over the Fighting Hawks.

Fridays game found UND striking first on the power play as freshman forward Tyson Jost ripped a shot high blocker side over freshman goaltender Hunter Miska. The first period goal would be the last time UND saw a lead over the weekend.

The Fighting Hawks would quickly see the lead fade as UMD freshman forward Riley Tufte tipped in a shot from the point just 38 seconds later. Tufte’s equalizer would be his first of two goals on the evening. The rookie freshman netted the Bulldogs fifth and final goal on the power play at the 9:28 mark of the final period.

“I think my game is starting to come to me a little bit, I’m starting to get used to college hockey,” Tufte said. “The first half was a tough half but towards the end there I thought I played well and I’m really playing well with Karson and Avery right now.”

The Bulldogs threw 34 shots on net in the contest and chased starting goaltender Cam Johnson from his net after junior forward Sammy Spurrell’s second period goal making 3-1 UMD.

Saturdays game was all UMD as they shut out the Fighting Hawks for the first time at Ralph Engelstad Arena since October of 2011.

After two first period goals by sophomore forward Adam Johnson and senior defenseman Willie Raskob, UMD would have to weather a barrage of shots by UND in the middle frame.

Pouring on 14 shots in the second period, Miska would do his best brick wall impersonation shutting the Fighting Hawk assault down. Miska turned away all 29 of UND’s shots on the night securing his fourth shutout of the season.

"Our guys were firing on all cylinders tonight," said Miska, "We played a great 200-foot game and I thought all 20 guys really contributed."

The Bulldogs would solidify the weekend sweep over UND when Riley Tufte scored the games fourth and final goal with just over seven minutes to go, taking any remaining energy out of the building.

"I thought we did a good job managing the puck and that we were more consistent over the three periods," said UMD head coach Scott Sandelin. "Obviously Hunter had some big saves, but everyone was on again tonight."

UMD hits the road again this weekend taking on rival opponent the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first round of the North Star cup.