Huskies Fall to Bulldogs in Game 1 of NCHC Quarterfinals

Friday, March 11

7:00 P.M. CT

St. Cloud State

18-13-4

Minnesota Duluth

18-15-4

Minn. Duluth

St. Cloud St.

3/12/2022 1:44:00 AM | Men's Hockey

Box Score

Four unanswered goals quickly evaporates SCSU’s second-period lead

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – No. 9 St. Cloud State Men's Hockey (18-13-4, 10-10-4 NCHC) dropped the first game of the NCHC Quarterfinals to No. 10 Minnesota Duluth (18-15-4, 10-10-4 NCHC), 5-2, on Friday night at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. The Huskies took a 2-1 lead just 1:36 into the second period, but four unanswered goals from the Bulldogs sealed St. Cloud State's fate in the series opener.

TURNING POINT

St. Cloud State held a 2-1 lead through the first half of the second period, but then lost the lead in a 30 second span, as Minnesota Duluth's Koby Bender scored at the 9:09 and 9:39 marks of the second period. Bender would add a third goal around seven minutes later for a natural hat trick, as the Bulldogs seized momentum of the game quickly.

TOP HUSKIES

Graduate forward Kevin Fitzgerald (Hinsdale, Ill.) scored his team-leading 17^th goal of the season in the first period.
Senior forward Nolan Walker (Anchorage, Ala.) scored his ninth goal of the season, a power play goal, in the second period.

NOTES

St. Cloud State scored on the power play in the first period, its 45^th power play goal on the season. The Huskies are now 32.6 percent (45-of-138) with a man advantage this season.
Fitzgerald continues his incredible senior campaign, scoring his 17^th goal of the season, 46^th career goal and 102^nd career point. Fitzgerald's 17 goals are the most by a Husky since Patrick Newell scored 21 and Robby Jackson score 19 in 2018-19.
Walker scored his third power play goal of the season, ninth goal overall and 29^th of his career with a second period tip-in.
Senior defenseman Nick Perbix (Elk River, Minn.) continues his offensive onslaught, adding his 25^th assist of the season, while senior forward Easton Brodzinski (Blaine, Minn.) and freshman defenseman Jack Peart (Grand Rapids, Minn.) each recorded their 15^th assist of the season. Senior forward Micah Miller (Grand Rapids, Minn.) also added his ninth assist of the season.

UP NEXT

The Huskies and Bulldogs return for game two of a three-game series in the NCHC Quarterfinals tomorrow. Puck drop from the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.

For all the latest on St. Cloud State Men's Hockey, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Tickets for the 2021-22 season are available for purchase at www.scsutickets.com, downloading the St. Cloud State Huskies app or by calling 1-877-SCSUTIX / 320-308-2137.