Bulldogs Use Special Teams to Sweep Miami

Minnesota Duluth kills off seven power plays and scores three power-play goals in NCHC series win.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 1:49am

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The ninth-ranked Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs swept the No. 20 Miami RedHawks in NCHC play, winning 4-1 on Saturday. The Bulldogs dominated the special teams battle, finishing a perfect 7-for-7 on the penalty kill and 2-for-5 on the power play, with three of their four goals coming on the power play. Freshman wing Kocha Delic scored the lone goal for Miami, who were celebrating Senior Night.

Why it matters

The Bulldogs' special teams performance was crucial in securing the sweep on the road against a ranked conference opponent. Strong special teams play is often a key factor in winning close games and playoff series in college hockey.

The details

Minnesota Duluth junior defenseman Aaron Pionk, freshman wing Hunter Anderson, senior wing Scout Truman, and sophomore wing Max Plante scored for the Bulldogs, with three of the four goals coming on the power play. UMD sophomore goaltender Ethan Dahlmeir, who spent his freshman season at Miami, made 24 saves on 25 shots. The Bulldogs dominated the special teams battle, going a perfect 7-for-7 on the penalty kill and 2-for-5 on the power play, with Pionk's goal coming just as a Miami penalty expired.

  • The first three penalties Saturday were all on UMD until a hook by Miami 2:29 into the second period gave UMD its first power play, leading to Pionk's goal.
  • The second period saw seven minor penalties — four on Miami, three on UMD — called, with the Bulldogs getting a brief 13-second 5-on-3 advantage. That's where Truman scored, beating Drobac a second before that expired to keep UMD on the power play 5-on-4.

The players

Aaron Pionk

A junior defenseman for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs who scored a power-play goal in the game.

Hunter Anderson

A freshman wing for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs who scored a power-play goal in the game.

Scout Truman

A senior wing for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs who scored a power-play goal in the game.

Max Plante

A sophomore wing for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs who scored an empty-net goal in the game.

Kocha Delic

A freshman wing for the Miami RedHawks who scored the lone goal for Miami in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Bulldogs' dominant special teams performance, including a perfect penalty kill and three power-play goals, was the key to their sweep of the NCHC series against Miami. This type of special teams play will be crucial as Minnesota Duluth looks to make a deep run in the postseason.