The No. 7 seed University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team battled No. 2 seed University of Denver tonight in their first National Collegiate Hockey Conference Quarterfinal game, but emerged with a 4-0 loss. Now UMD faces an even steeper challenge, down one in a best-of-three series. 

In the first half of this game, both teams were limited in their shots on goal. The first period ended 6-5 in scoring chances, slightly favoring UMD, although the Pioneers were the ones to score. While the Bulldogs managed only one shot on goal in the middle frame, DU broke out. They more than doubled their shots on goal and scored two more, extending their lead to 3-0. 

Defenseman led UMD in shots, with Aiden Dubinsky (8), Aaron Pionk (6), and Joey Pierce (5) rounded out the top three. Pionk and Pierce each had three shots on goal. In the end, Denver led shots on goal 24-17, below average for both teams. 

UMD skaters were on their heels in the second period, killing off three penalties. Neither team was finding luck on the man advantage, however. The Bulldogs and Pioneers both went 0/4 on the power play in the first game of the series. 

Goaltender Matthew Thiessen made 20 saves for a .870 save percentage in his first postseason appearance for the Bulldogs. 

With just under six minutes left in the 3rd period, UMD pulled Thiessen for the extra attacker. A defensive zone faceoff put him back in briefly, but the Bulldogs continued with six skaters, looking for late scoring. 

UMD was largely able to keep the puck away from their net, including a midair redirect by Matthew Perkins that stopped DU's Jack Devine from completing the hat trick. They couldn't hold off the Pioneers through the final whistle, however. DU scored an empty net goal with 17 seconds left and skated off with a 4-0 shutout. 

The Bulldogs' return to Magness Arena with their season is on the line in the second game of the NCHC Quarterfinals at 7:07 p.m. CT tomorrow, Saturday, March 16.