Bulldogs Fall in Double OT in NCHC Championship

Denver freshman Kristian Epperson scores game-winner in second overtime to deny UMD fourth league title.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:03am

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The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs battled back from an early 3-0 deficit to tie the NCHC championship game against the Denver Pioneers, but ultimately fell 4-3 in double overtime. Denver freshman Kristian Epperson scored the game-winning goal 1:54 into the second overtime period to give the Pioneers their fourth NCHC postseason title, breaking a tie with the Bulldogs for the most since the league began in 2013-14.

Why it matters

The loss denies the Bulldogs their fourth NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship, a feat they were hoping to accomplish to cement their status as one of the top programs in the conference. Despite the defeat, both teams have secured NCAA tournament berths as No. 2 seeds for the upcoming regionals.

The details

UMD battled back from an early 3-0 deficit, with goals from sophomore wing Max Plante, freshman defenseman Grayden Siepmann, and freshman wing Hunter Anderson tying the game in the second period. But Denver freshman Kristian Epperson scored the game-winner 1:54 into the second overtime period to give the Pioneers the victory. Bulldogs sophomore goaltender Adam Gajan made 29 saves, while Pioneers freshman Johnny Hicks made 41 saves.

  • The Bulldogs dug themselves an early 3-0 hole in the first period.
  • Plante, Siepmann, and Anderson scored in the second period to tie the game at 3-3.
  • Epperson scored the game-winning goal 1:54 into the second overtime period.

The players

Kristian Epperson

A freshman forward for the Denver Pioneers who scored the game-winning goal in double overtime.

Adam Gajan

The sophomore goaltender for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs who made 29 saves in the game.

Johnny Hicks

The freshman goaltender for the Denver Pioneers who made 41 saves in the game.

Max Plante

The sophomore wing for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs who scored one of the team's three goals to tie the game.

Grayden Siepmann

The freshman defenseman for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs who scored one of the team's three goals to tie the game.

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What’s next

Both the Bulldogs and Pioneers have secured NCAA tournament berths as No. 2 seeds for the upcoming regionals. The 2026 NCAA men's hockey bracket will be unveiled on Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPNU.

The takeaway

Despite the heartbreaking double-overtime loss in the NCHC championship game, the Bulldogs have proven themselves as one of the top programs in the conference, having now tied the Pioneers for the most NCHC postseason titles. Both teams will look to carry that momentum into the NCAA tournament as they vie for a national championship.