After sweeping North Dakota in all four games last season, DU hockey fell short this year, losing two games this weekend to fall to 0-1-3 against North Dakota. After falling to the Fighting Hawks 0-1-1 at home in December, they traveled to Grand Forks to hopefully win the series overall but were swept on the road. Friday night Denver lost 5-2 and Saturday lost 4-2. 

While the first period of Friday’s game ended scoreless, North Dakota was in control for most of it. The Fighting Hawks took over the game in the second period. 

UND’s Dylan James scored within the first five minutes of the period after a rebound and a displaced puck by goalie Matt Davis. UND’s Griffin Nees scored 5 minutes later but DU was quick to rebound with defenseman Zeev Buium narrowing the lead to one. 

Logan Britt got a penalty right after the goal but DU didn’t do anything with the extra man opportunity. After defenseman Lucas Olvestad got called for tripping and 20 seconds into the power play, North Dakota’s Jackson Blake closed the period with a power play goal to extend their lead to two once again. 

Defenseman Boston Buckberger and Blake both received minor penalties in the third but neither team could capitalize on their respective man-up advantage. 

Forward Aidan Thompson decreased the lead to one with five minutes left in the third period. Coach Carle pulled Davis in hopes of tying the game up, but North Dakota scored not once but twice on the empty net. 

DU’s Saturday night game started much stronger than the night before. Defenseman Jared Wright got Denver on the board early for one of two DU leads of the night. North Dakota proceeded to hit the net posts twice but was unable to find the twine, until forward McKade Webster got called for interference and the Hawks scored seconds in to end the first period in a tie. 

Forward Sam Harris gave DU their last lead seven minutes into the second period but UND tied it up about 10 minutes later to once again end the period in a tie. 

Defenseman Sean Behrens received a major penalty and game misconduct halfway through period three which North Dakota was able to score twice on to lift them to win the game. Davis was once again pulled toward the end of regulation.

After scoring at least three goals in every game this season, being held to just two goals in both contests was new territory for DU. They hope to rebound against another NCHC opponent, Western Michigan, at home next weekend.