Five months have come and gone since the Bulldogs’ season opener in September. Now this upcoming weekend the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) women’s hockey team enters their final series of the regular season. It’s not just any opponent they’ll face either, as their set to visit fourth ranked Minnesota. The sixth ranked Bulldogs need a sweep to claim third place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

“Taking any games from Minnesota, especially down when we’re at Ridder, is so fun. And we like to win games, but placing third would also be huge for us, just in playoffs wise and different standings,” UMD senior defenseman Hanna Baskin said.

“We got to reload because they’re a fast team. They like to get up the ice real quick. So if our effort is there, I know that we can see some success this weekend,” Bulldog head coach Laura Schuler added.

The Bulldogs, however, have not bested the Gophers since the NCAA Regional Finals in March 2022. Their first meeting this 2024-25 season back in November Minnesota won 4-1 then 3-2.

No. 6 UMD (19-11-2) heads to Ridder Arena Friday for a 6 p.m. puck drop. Game two against No. 4 Minnesota (23-9-1) is Saturday at 2 p.m. For full WCHA standings, click here.