Minnesota Duluth Stuns North Dakota to Reach NCHC Title Game

Bulldogs score five unanswered goals to defeat Fighting Hawks on home ice

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a surprising upset, the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs defeated the North Dakota Fighting Hawks 5-1 in the NCHC semifinals. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and never looked back, with five different players scoring goals. North Dakota struggled with puck management and was unable to capitalize on their chances, despite outshooting the Bulldogs 34-22. The loss ends North Dakota's hopes of hosting the NCHC championship game, while Minnesota Duluth advances to face Denver next weekend.

Why it matters

This game represents a significant shift in the NCHC landscape, as North Dakota had been a consistent contender in recent years but was unable to get past the semifinals. Minnesota Duluth, on the other hand, has re-established itself as a powerhouse in the conference and will now have a chance to win its first NCHC title since 2022.

The details

Minnesota Duluth scored the game's first two goals, with Callum Arnott and Max Plante finding the back of the net. The Bulldogs then added three more unanswered goals from Jayson Shaugabay, Harper Bentz, and Kyle Gaffney to seal the victory. North Dakota struggled with turnovers and was unable to generate consistent offensive pressure, despite outshooting the Bulldogs. Bulldogs goaltender Adam Gajan was solid in net, making several key saves to preserve the lead.

  • The game was played on March 15, 2026 in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
  • Minnesota Duluth scored the opening goal early in the first period.

The players

Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs are the men's ice hockey team of the University of Minnesota Duluth. They compete in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).

North Dakota Fighting Hawks

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks are the men's ice hockey team of the University of North Dakota. They compete in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).

Scott Sandelin

The head coach of the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey team.

Dane Jackson

The head coach of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey team, in his first season after taking over for Brad Berry.

Adam Gajan

The starting goaltender for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, who had a strong performance in the win.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I thought those three really had a lot of good moments, especially after the major (review). He (Bibby) felt bad, you know, and our guys were like, 'We are going to kill this off, no matter if it is two or five.' They wanted to help him out, and the guys did that.”

— Scott Sandelin, Head Coach, Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (collegehockeynews.com)

“Coming in here, that was our goal last week. We knew there was a 99 percent chance we would end up coming here, and all of us were excited about it. It is a great building to play in. I think it was really important to get the lead. Last time we were kind of chasing and scored late to force overtime and then won it. So playing with the lead the whole game helped us so much.”

— Adam Gajan, Goaltender, Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (collegehockeynews.com)

“It was rush chances, a lot of them. Poor puck management. We had a couple poor changes as well. We have not been very sharp on that lately. Two or three of their goals were direct results of not managing the puck well and not resetting in transition quickly, and that gave them good chances.”

— Dane Jackson, Head Coach, North Dakota Fighting Hawks (collegehockeynews.com)

What’s next

Minnesota Duluth will face Denver next Saturday in the NCHC championship game, while North Dakota will have to wait at least 11 days for its next game as it prepares for the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This game showcased Minnesota Duluth's ability to capitalize on North Dakota's mistakes and play a strong defensive game, while North Dakota struggled to find its offensive rhythm. The loss will serve as motivation for the Fighting Hawks as they look to rebound in the NCAA Tournament, while the Bulldogs have an opportunity to win their first NCHC title in four years.