UMD Men’s Hockey Looks to Extend Season Against #3 Denver

UMD will likely need to win out in order to make the national tournament.

DULUTH, Minn.- Nearly a month ago, the UMD men’s hockey team and Denver would meet for a two game series at AMSOIL.

The Bulldogs would play the Pioneers tough but ultimately drop both games 4 to 5 and 2 to 5.

Now, both teams are gearing up to square off again but this time it’s in the NCHC quarterfinals.

UMD will likely need to win out in order to make the national tournament.

Head Coach Scott Sandelin says he hasn’t had to make any speech to his team to show what’s at stake, they’re already locked in for playoff time.

“We’re going to go and play and put our best foot forward and try and extend our season. We’re going to prepare like it is every week. We’re not going to make this bigger than anything else. Guys know who we’re playing. They’re excited getting into this weekend which just so happens to be the playoffs,” said Sandelin.

“We have to weather the storms and stuff in our own zone. If they skate around the outside, and keep it on the outside for most of the time they’re in the zone, then that’s how we want to play it. We have to play hard. We have to play a full 60 minutes. I think we all know that but it’s playoff hockey so you never know what’s going to happen and I think we’re going to be ready for it,” added 5th year goaltender Matthew Thiessen.

It’ll be a later start on Friday as puck drop is at 8:07 PM.