Sports

Prep Boys Hockey: Hunters, Hawks to Meet in Section 7A Final; Thunderhawks Fall in 7AA Semifinal

Hermantown and Duluth Denfeld will play each other in the section 7A final on Wednesday while Andover and Elk River/Zimmerman will meet in the section 7AA final on Thursday.

DULUTH, Minn. – The No. 1 seed Hermantown boys hockey team continued to dominate the section playoffs, getting the 8-0 win over No. 4 seed Eveleth-Gilbert to advance to the section 7A final. Drew Sams scored twice, while Blake Biondi, Zach Kilen, Aydyn Dowd, Cayden Sunde and Matt Erickson each scored once for the Hawks. In the other sectin 7A…

Niklas Dyrhaug, Jessia Yeaton Highlight 2020 Birkebeiner Winners

Jessica Yeaton from New Mexico and Niklas Dyrhaug from Norway won the 50K skate freestyle divisions.

HAYWARD, Wis. – The 46th annual American Birkenbeiner brought thousands to Hayward, Wisconsin this weekend to compete or watch all of the action go down. In the 50K skate women’s division, Jessica Yeaton from Albuquerque, New Mexico finished in first with a time of 2:13:20, 41.7 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. “This means more than any victory in…

Yellowjackets Men’s Hockey Tops LumberJacks in Overtime to Advance to WIAC Semifinals

Dylan Johnson scored with just 14 seconds left in overtime to send UWS to the next round. They will play UW-Eau Claire in the semifinals on Friday.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – In a back-and-fourth battle, Dylan Johnson scored late in overtime to give the Wisconsin-Superior men’s hockey team got the 4-3 win over Northland College to sweep the series and advance to the WIAC Semifinals. Chad Lopez, Coltyn Bates and Bruno Birzitis scored the other goals for the Yellowjackets, while Kyle Pouncy scored twice and Kurt Sonne scored…

UMD Men’s Hockey Tops Broncos to Split Series

Justin Richards and Quinn Olson scored for the Bulldogs in the win.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The No. 4 Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team got a much-needed bounce-back game on Saturday, getting the 2-1 win over NO. 19 Western Michigan to split the series. The Bulldogs got on the board just 35 seconds in via a Justin Richards shorthanded goal, the Bulldogs sixth shortie of the season. Quinn Olson was credited with the…

CEC Girls Hockey Fall to Breck in Class A State Title Game

A three-goal first period would be the difference in the championship game.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A three-goal first period would be a hole too deep to dig out of for the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls hockey team as they fall 6-0 to Breck in the Class A state championship game Saturday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center. Mustangs would get two goals from Sadie Lindsay while Ava Lindsay, Josie Lang, Olivia Mobley and…

Prep Basketball: Rails Girls Dominate in Season Finale; Eskomos Boys Fall at Home; Bluejackets Boys Top Hawks

The Proctor girls ended the regular season with a win while Perham and Hibbing boys got close road wins.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Proctor girls basketball team ended the regular season on a high note, dominating Two Harbors 73-21 in the final game of season. The Rails end the regular season 23-3 and will now prepare to defend their section 7AA title when playoffs start next week. In boys action, Esko lost a nailbitter at home, as Perham got…

Second-Ranked Wisconsin Too Much for UMD Women’s Hockey

Senior Ryleigh Houston scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs on senior night.

DULUTH, Minn. – The No. 9 Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after one, but No. 2 Wisconsin would storm back in the next two periods to get the 4-1 win. Senior Ryleigh Houston scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs on senior night. Senior Maddie Rooney finished with 28 saves. UMD (16-10-5, 11-8-4…

Coaches Corner: Derek Anderson

For this week's segment, we catch up with the head coach of the Esko boys basketball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with Esko boys basketball head coach Derek Anderson. The Eskomos are ready for the postseason as they get set to defend their section title. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Yellowjackets Men’s Hockey Tops LumberJacks in WIAC Playoffs First Round

UWS and Northland College will play Saturday night in game two for a chance to advance to the WIAC semi-finals.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Wisconsin-Superior men’s hockey team used a big first period to get the 6-3 win over Northland College in game one of the WIAC Championship first round. Levi Cudmore, Conor MacLean, Lawson McDonald, Liam Blais, Ty Proffitt and Chad Lopez all scored for the Yellowjackets while Kalib Ford scored twice and Kurt Sonne scored once for the…

Three Third Period Goals Lift Western Michigan Men’s Hockey Past UMD

The Broncos scored three goals over a span of 1:49 during the third period to pull of the upset.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The No. 4 Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team was unable to hold on to a 3-2 lead, giving up three unanswered goals over 1:49 of the third period as No. 19 Western Michigan got the 5-3 win. Scott Perunovich, Cole Koepke and Justin Richards all scored to give the Bulldogs a one-goal lead after two periods of…

Hermantown’s Biondi Named Mr. Hockey Finalist, GR’s Clafton Finalist for Brimsek Award

The winners will be announced at the awards banquet on March 8th.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Hermantown star Blake Biondi has been named a finalist for the 36th annual Mr. Hockey Award. The future UMD Bulldog is second in the state in points and fifth in goals scored. Two other finalists are UMD commits as well: Andover’s Wyatt Kaiser and Eden Prairie’s Ben Steeves. Also, Grand Rapids goalie Carter Clafton was named…

CEC Girls Hockey Shock Warroad, Advance to State Championship Game

Taylor Nelson would finish with a hat trick to upset the Warriors at the Xcel Energy Center.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senior forward Taylor Nelson finsihed with three goals and two assists as Cloquet-Esko-Carlton knocked off Warroad 5-3 in the Class A state semi-finals at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Kiana Bender scored the other two goals for the Lumberjacks, who move on to face Breck, who beat Rochester Lourdes in other semi-final. The Class…

“Sunscriptions” Filled on the SunSpot Bus

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Mobile Unit Geared to Help Vitamin D Deficiency, SAD and Winter Blues

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot takes on the SUNSPOT BUS! If you are battling the winter blues, cabin fever, vitamin D deficiency and finding yourself not being very active, light therapy can help you! ABOUT: The further one lives north of the equator, the less sunshine hits the surface of the earth or…

Prep Basketball: Big Wins for Marshall, Barnum, Superior Girls; Virginia Boys Winners on the Road

Thurday night's action includes victories for the Duluth Marshall, Barnum and Superior girls, as well as the Virginia boys.

ESKO, Minn. – Grace Kirk and Gianna Kneepkens each finished with 28 points as the Duluth Marshall girls basketball team defeated Esko 69-56 Thursday night. In other girls action, Barnum picked up a road win over Duluth Denfeld 72-40 while Superior was victorious at home over Hayward 66-44. And in boys action, Virginia improved to 12-2 in their section with…

Superior Boys Hockey Blank Medford in Opening Round of WIAA Playoffs

The Spartans move on to the section semi-finals next week.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Gunnar Hansen and Kobe Hansen each scored twice as the Superior boys hockey team defeated Medford 8-0 in the opening round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs at Wessman Arena. Ethan Welch, Carson Gotelaere, Drew Sharte and Gavin Tetzlaff also scored for the Spartans, who now move on to the section semi-finals next week. Categories: High School,…

UMD Men’s Basketball Wrap Up Regular Season on the Road

The Bulldogs will take on Minnesota Crookston Friday before battling Bemidji State on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD men’s team will wrap up their regular season schedule with a pair of NSIC road games. The Bulldogs have already locked up home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. But head coach Justin Wieck doesn’t want his players to look past this weekend. “Just trying to get our guys to stay in…

UMD Men’s Hockey Get Set for Long Road Trip to Kalamazoo

Two wins for UMD and the Bulldogs will host a series in the first round of the NCHC playoffs next month.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey team will return to the ice this weekend and they’ve got some playoff implications for their series at Western Michigan. Two wins for UMD and the Bulldogs will host a series in the first round of the NCHC playoffs next month. But first, they’ve got to get past the pesky Broncos. “I don’t…

Surf’s Up On A Wintry Lake Superior

DULUTH, Minn. – Who needs to go to California, Florida, or Hawaii to surf when you can jump in Lake Superior in the middle of the winter? Some brave souls wet-suited up and rode the big lake’s waves near Brighton Beach recently. FOX 21 photojournalist Nathaniel LeCapitaine takes us there in this week’s Great Outdoors. Categories: Great Outdoors, Minnesota, News,…

Yellowjackets Basketballl Teams Split Home Finale Doubleheader with Eagles

The men would drop a close one while the women get the blow out win at home.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Mason Ackley and Eli Vogel each finished with 15 points, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Wisconsin-Superior men’s basketball team dropped their home finale to Northwestern 70-64 Wednesday at the Mertz Mortorelli Gym. The win gave the Eagles a share of the UMAC regular season title and clinched the top seed in the UMAC playoff tournament….

UMD Women’s Hockey Team Wrap Up Regular Season at Home Against Badgers

Five Bulldogs will celebrate Senior Night on Friday at Amsoil Arena.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey team will wrap up their regular season this weekend at home against Wisconsin. And with that comes Senior Day, which will be on Friday. Five Bulldogs will be honored: Sydney Brodt, Jayln Elmes, Brooklynn Schugel, Ryleigh Houston and Maddie Rooney. But for now, they want to focus on heading into the playoffs on…

CEC Girls Blank Hutchinson to Advance to State Semi-Finals

The Lumberjacks will face Warroad Friday night morning in the Class A state semi-finals.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Jenna Zdebski and Dana Jones each scored in the first period and freshman goaltender Araya Kiminski held her own the rest of the way as the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls hockey team blanked Hutchinson 2-0 Wednesday in the Class A state quartefinal at the Xcel Energy Center. Kiminski finished with 18 saves to pick up the shutout for…

Prep Boys Hockey: Hawks, Hunters Move On To Section Semi-Finals; Lumberjacks Fall in OT

The boys hockey playoffs continued on Tuesday night for section 7A and section 7AA.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Blake Biondi and Zach Kilen each scored hat tricks as the Hermantown boys blasted North Shore 12-1 Tuesday night in the Section 7A quarterfinals. Here are other results from the rest of the playoff games: SECTION 7A North Shore 1, Hermantown 9 International Falls 1, Eveleth-Gilbert 5 Virginia/MIB 0, Greenway 8 Proctor 1, Duluth Denfeld 4 SECTION…

Prep Boys Basketball: Hawks Get Section Win over Thunderhawks; Hilltoppers Defeat Lumberjacks in Overtime

Hermantown got the big home win over Grand Rapids while Duluth Marshall prevailed in overtime to get the road win over Cloquet.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown boys basketball team used a big second half as the Hawks got the 82-68 home win over section rivals Grand Rapids. John Sutherland led the way with 34 points. In other prep boys basketball action, Duluth Marshall got the 84-80 road win over Cloquet in overtime. Categories: High School, Sports

CEC Girls Hockey Receive Special Send-Off From Local Community

After their final practice at 6:30 a.m., CEC had five school send-offs, including a special hall run at Cloquet Middle School.

CLOQUET, Minn. – It was all about celebration Tuesday in the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton community as the Lumberjacks girls hockey team was treated to several send-off events from all three towns. After their final practice at 6:30 a.m., CEC had five school send-offs, including a special hall run at Cloquet Middle School. It culminated with a special police escort that takes them…

Cromwell’s Taya, Shaily Hakamaki Score 2000th Career Points

It is believed to be the first time in state history that two teammates hit that milestone in the same game.

CROMWELL, Minn. – Monday night was a historic night for the Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team. The Cardinals defeated South Ridge 62-29 and during the game, both Taya and Shaily Hakamaki each scored their 2,000th career point. According to Cromwell head coach Jeff Gronner, it is believed to be the first time in state history that two teammates hit that milestone…

Esko Boys Basketball Win Nail-Biter Against Nashwauk-Keewatin

The Eskomos will have a quick turnaround as they host South Ridge Tuesday night.

ESKO, Minn. – The Nashwauk-Keewatin boys basketball team led by as much as 14 early in the first half, but Esko would rally and hold on for the 77-74 win Monday night. Eli Blue led the Eskomos with 37 points, while Jager Nash scored 24 points for the Spartans. The Eskomos will have a quick turnaround as they host South…

Lumberjacks Girls Hockey Want to Make History at Class A State Tournament

CEC will take on Hutchinson Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m.

CLOQUET, Minn. – With last week’s Section 7A championship win, the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls bought themselves an extra week of hockey. The Lumberjacks were back on the ice Monday, five days after winning their first section title in eleven years. Now, CEC must transition from celebrating a historic win to focusing their attention on a deep run in the state tournament….

Heavy on Wrestling Returns with “No Love Lost 3”

The headliner for this show was WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons.

DULUTH, Minn. – Heavy On Wrestling returned to the Clyde Malting Building Sunday night for their latest installment of “No Love Lost”. The popularity of these shows has exploded in the past few years, bringing in fans from all across the Northland. “I personally like to call it a male soap opera, personally. It’s just fun. It’s entertaining. You see…

UMD Women’s Tennis Take Down SMSU at Home

The Bulldogs got each of their victories in straight sets, including singles victories for freshmen Emily Rahrik and Mallor Lithun.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s tennis team continued their stellar start to the season as they defeated Southwest Minnesota State 6-1 Sunday afternoon at the Duluth Indoor Sports Center. The Bulldogs got each of their victories in straight sets, including singles victories for freshmen Emily Rahrik and Mallory Lithun, to improve to 3-1 in the NSIC. UMD won’t be…

Northern Star: Vid Milenkovic

For this week's Northern Star, we talk with one of the top players on the UWS men's basketball team.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin-Superior’s Vid Milenkovic is a long way from home. “I’m from Zurich, Switzerland and I got recruited for basketball. Eventually I moved to Serbia and I played high school basketball over there,” said Milenkovic. And basketball is in his blood as his father is a coach overseas. “There were days when I really didn’t want to go,…

Saints Basketball Splits Doubleheader Against Cougars

The St. Scholastica men used a big second half to get the win while the St. Scholastica women fell in double overtime.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica men’s basketball team used a big second half, shooting just over 43 percent from the field, to get the 85-63 win over Minnesota Morris. Jack Silgen led the way with 22 points, while Nick Carlson finished with 16 points and Quinn Fischer finished with 11 points. Collin Anderson and Chance Larson chipped in with…

Bulldogs Basketball Sweeps Dragons on Senior Day

The UMD women's basketball team finished the regular season undefeated at home for the first time in 20 years, while senior Brandon Myer finished with a career-high 45 points.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball dominated rivals MSU-Moorhead on Saturday, getting the 70-47 win in the final home game of the regular season. The win gives the Bulldogs a perfect 13-0 home record, the first time they’ve gone undefeated at Romano Gym since the 1999-00 season. The Bulldogs also clinched the NSIC North Division and regular season titles…

Yellowjackets Men’s Hockey Falls to Blue Devils in Regular Season Finale

UWS now prepares to host Northland College next weekend in the first round of the WIAC playoffs.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After getting the 3-2 road win on Friday night, the Wisconsin-Superior men’s hockey team was unable to finish the sweep, as UW-Stout got the 1-0 win on Saturday night to end the regular season. Nick Althaus finished with 29 saves in the loss. UWS finishes the regular season 14-8-3 (7-8 WIAC). The Yellowjackets now prepare to host…

UMD Women’s Hockey Skates to 1-1 Tie With Minnesota State; Elmes Gives Bulldogs Extra WCHA Point

Jayln Elmes scored just over two minutes into 3-on-3 overtime to give the Bulldogs the extra WCHA point.

MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 8 Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team was unable to keep the offensive power going Saturday afternoon, skating to a 1-1 tie with Minnesota State. Jalyn Elmes socred on a breakaway 2:13 into 3-on-3 overtime to give the Bulldogs the extra WCHA point. Sydney Brodt scored the other goal for the Bulldogs, late in the second…

Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Girls Hockey Earns No. 3 Seed for Class A State Tournament

The Lumberjacks will play unseeded Hutchinson in the quartefinals on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The girls hockey state tournament brackets and seedings for Class A and AA were released on Saturday morning and Cloquet-Esko-Carlton learned who they will be facing in the first round of the tournament. The Lumberjacks, who are making their first state tournament appearance since 2009, earned the No. 3 seed after posting a 22-3 regular season record,…

Coaches Corner: UMD Women’s Hockey

For this week's segment, we catch up with the UMD women's hockey team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from the UMD women’s hockey team, including head coach Maura Crowell, team co-captain Sydney Brodt and forward Anna Klein. The Bulldogs have surged in the second half of the season, thanks to three straight wins against top-5 ranked opponents. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

CSS Women’s Hockey Blanked at Home by Aurora

The Saints would struggle in their second-to-last home game of the season.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica women’s hockey team would fall at home Friday night to Aurora 2-0 at Mars Lakeview Arena, despite out-shooting the Spartans 25-21. The Saints fall to 7-4-2 in conference play as they look to bounce back in their home finale on Saturday. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Bulldogs Women’s Basketball Picks Up 20th Win of Season; Men Fall to Northern State as Myer Becomes Second All-Time Scorer

The UMD women have won 20 games for the second straight season, while the UMD men fell to Northern State in a battle between the two top teams in the NSIC North Division.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Duluth women’s basketball team led the entire way on Friday, getting the 65-54 win over Northern State to pick up its 20th win of the season, marking the second year in a row the Bulldogs have recorded at least 20 wins. The win also keeps the Bulldogs undefeated at Romano Gym this season, improving to…

Prep Basketball: Rails Girls Hold Off Hawks, Spartans Boys, Girls Win at Home

The Proctor girls avenged an early season loss to Hermantown while both Superior squads got home wins.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – It was a back-and-fourth battle between two of the top girls basketball teams in the Northland, but in the end, Proctor got the 64-61 road win over Hermantown, avenging an early season loss to the Hawks. Liz Frase and Sam Parendo led the way with 17 points each, while Sam Pogatchnik chipped in with 16 points for…

UMD Women’s Hockey Win High-Scoring Affair over Mankato

The Bulldogs picked up their fourth straight win as they take down the Mavericks on the road.

MANKATO, Minn. – Five different goal-scorers get on the score sheet at the UMD women’s hockey team held on to beat MSU-Mankato 5-4 Friday night. Gabbie Hughes, Sydney Brodt, Ryleigh Houston, McKenzie Hewitt and Kylie Hanley all scored for the Bulldogs who picked up their fourth win in a row. They’ll have eyes on a sweep Saturday afternoon. Categories: College,…

Saints, Yellowjackets Ranked in Top Three in UMAC Preseason Coaches Poll

Bethany Lutheran edged St. Scholastica by one point as preseason favorites, while Wisconsin-Superior was ranked third.

DULUTH, Minn. – With baseball season right around the corner, UMAC released their preseason coaches poll. Two-time defending champions Bethany Lutheran come in at first, just a single point higher than second-ranked St. Scholastica. Wisconsin-Superior rounds out the top three. This will be a new era of St. Scholastica baseball, as new head coach Kevin Ritsche takes over for long-time…

Section 7AA Boys Hockey Tournament Seedings Released

Andover, Grand Rapids, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton and Forest Lake are the top seeds and will host the first round matchups on Tuesday.

DULUTH, Minn. – The section 7AA boys hockey tournament seedings and bracket were released on Friday morning, with the fun getting started on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The higher seeds will host the first round matchups. No. 8 seed Duluth Marshall vs. No. 1 seed Andover No. 5 seed Duluth East vs. No. 4 seed Forest Lake. No. 7 seed…

Superior’s Riley Rehnstrand Commits to Bryant and Stratton College Baseball

The senior infielder hit .393 last season with 19 RBI and 22 runs last season.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior High School senior Riley Rehnstrand announced his commitment this week to play baseball at Bryant and Stratton College in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The 6’2″ infielder hit .393 last season with 19 RBI and 22 runs, helping the Spartans finish 16-6 in his junior year. Rehnstrand also plays on the Superior football team. Categories: College, High School, Sports

Hermantown’s Joey Pierce Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey

The junior defenseman finished the regular season with 15 goals and 32 assists.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown to Minnesota Duluth hockey pipeline continues as Hawks junior defenseman Joey Pierce announced on Twitter on Friday that he has verbally committed to joining the Bulldogs. Pierce finished the regular season with 15 goals and 32 assists. Pierce is the next Hawk to become a Bulldog. Current teammate Blake Biondi and former teammate Darian Gotz…

Ready, Set, Book Across the Bay! Registration Remains Open

Ski, Snowshoe, Hike or Run From Ashland to Washburn Across The Frozen Chequamegon Bay

CHEQUAMEGON BAY, Wis. – The 24th annual Book Across the Bay takes place Saturday, February 15th, 2020. Book Across the Bay is the upper Midwest’s most unique winter event, open to skiers and snowshoers of all ages and ability levels. The 10-kilometer course, which is groomed for both classic-style and skate skiing, starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn, and…

Prep Basketball: Hawks Sweep Doubleheader; Thunderhawks Win Big on the Road; Greyhounds Victorious at Home

Both Hermantown squads, Grand Rapids boys and Duluth East boys picked up wins on Thursday night.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – On a night where head coach Beth Clark was honored for recording her 500th win, the Hermantown girls basketball team continued to roll, getting the 53-39 home win over Esko. Kristy DeMuth led the way for the Eskomos and recorded her 1000th career point in the loss. The Hermantown boys also defended home court on Thursday night,…

Prep Boys Hockey: Hunters, Thunderhawks End Regular Season with Wins; Rails Fall at Home

In the last night of regular season games, Duluth Denfeld and Grand Rapids won at home, while Pine City got the road win over Proctor.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Denfeld boys hockey team continued to roll on Thursday night, getting the 7-0 win over crosstown rivals Duluth Marshall in the regular season finale. Connor McClure and Kade Shea both scored two goals each while Joe Udd, Griffin Lehet and Simon Davidson each scored once. Shawn Easty made 24 saves in the shutout. In other…

UMD Women’s Basketball Eyeing First Undefeated Regular Season in 20 Years

The last time the Bulldogs were unbeaten at home was the 1999-2000 season.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team are wrapping up their home schedule this weekend and some history will be on the line as the Bulldogs could finish undefeated at Romano Gym for the first time since 2000. And the team sees it as a way to give back to the community that has supported them all season. “Being…

UMD Women’s Hockey Team Look to Strengthen Playoff Position

Puck drop for the Bulldogs vs. the Mavericks Friday night in Mankato is set for 7:07 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey team have rattled off three straight wins over top-5 ranked opponents, pushing them to #8 in the Pairwise rankings. Some more quality wins and the Bulldogs might not have to win the WCHA Frozen Face-off and could get in with an at-large bid. “It allows you to play more free and just kind…