![UMD Bulldogs Fall to Denver Pioneers 3-2 in NCAA National Championship](http://townsquare.media/site/164/files/2014/01/UMD-Bulldog-Feature-2.png?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
UMD Bulldogs Fall to Denver Pioneers 3-2 in NCAA National Championship
The UMD Bulldogs Men's Hockey Team hit the ice on Saturday night against the Denver Pioneers at the United Center in Chicago in search of their second national championship title. The #2 Bulldogs and #1 Pioneers were the two teams that owned the top of the rankings through the season, making this NCHC faceoff for a national title all that much more fitting.
The Pioneers came out strong early in the first period, spending a lot of time in the UMD zone. As the period continued, the Bulldogs found their footing, and were able to apply some pressure of their own. In the end, neither team was able to score in the opening frame.
Denver again came out strong to open the second period with Jarid Lukosevicius scoring back-to-back goals separated by 16 seconds in the first 5 minutes. Alex Iafallo cut the Denver lead in half with a power play goal at the 7:16 mark, but Lukosevicius would complete a hat trick 5 minutes later to give Denver the 3-1 lead to end the second period.
The Bulldogs hit the ice in the third period with avengance, maintaining regular pressure in the Denver end. Riley Tufte cut the Denver lead in half at the 14:39 mark in the third. With the score 3-2 in favor of the Pioneers, UMD pulled Hunter Miska for an extra attacker to attempt to tie the game as the period drew to a close, but it wouldn't be enough. Denver won 3-2, ending an incredible season for the Bulldogs.
More From KOOL 101.7
![Did You Know A Former Minnesota College Student Created This Must-Have Travel App?](http://townsquare.media/site/164/files/2016/04/PlaneWing.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Duluth Among 5 Minnesota Cities Named Best Small College Towns in America](http://townsquare.media/site/150/files/2022/10/attachment-RS39495_IMG_3545.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Duluth’s DECC Unveils New Concession Foods For 2022 Bulldog Hockey Season](http://townsquare.media/site/164/files/2022/09/attachment-Dan-Hartman.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Remember That New UMD Bulldog Mascot That Everyone Hated? It’s Gone](http://townsquare.media/site/164/files/2022/09/attachment-RS39760_DSC_6619-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![5 Apartment Buildings Within Walking Distance of University of Minnesota Duluth Campus](http://townsquare.media/site/150/files/2022/08/attachment-PrimaryPhoto-16-1-1920w.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Historic Minnesota Home By Glensheen Architect Hits The Market For $1.35 Million](http://townsquare.media/site/164/files/2022/08/attachment-st-paul-home.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Duluth Police Welcome UMD Students With 699 Chapters of Ordinances + Statutes](http://townsquare.media/site/150/files/2022/08/attachment-RS39644_DSC_6838-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Famous Television Actor Visits Duluth, Posts Photo From Town](http://townsquare.media/site/150/files/2022/04/attachment-GettyImages-133956913.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Watch Former Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog Noah Cates Score First NHL Goal](http://townsquare.media/site/150/files/2022/04/attachment-GettyImages-1389778644.jpg?w=980&q=75)