The University of North Dakota Athletics said the No. 3 Fighting Hawks lost 5-3 to Minnesota at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis on Friday, Oct. 23, as the Gophers completed a series sweep.
North Dakota’s goals came from senior forward Hudson Malinoski, junior forward Cody Croal and sophomore defenseman Sam Laurila, according to the announcement. UND outshot Minnesota 45-22, and sophomore goaltender Jan Špunar made 17 saves on 22 shots, the department said.
The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period, and Croal’s goal early in the second gave North Dakota its first lead of the series, the announcement said. Minnesota then scored twice in the second to take a 3-2 lead, and added two goals in the third; Laurila scored late for UND to make it 5-3, according to the recap.
The loss left North Dakota with a 4-2-0 record, and the sweep was its first on the road since Nov. 1-2, 2024, at Cornell, the department said.
North Dakota is scheduled to play Michigan State in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 7:07 p.m. in Austin, Texas, the announcement said. The game is listed for broadcast on Midco Sports and NCHC.tv, with radio coverage on the Fighting Hawks Radio Network.
