In the final regular season series at the DECC, Minnesota-Duluth will take on its interstate rivals in a game with playoff seeding implications for both teams.

On the Bulldogs side, a three or four point weekend would all but seal a home series in the first round as well as give them an outside chance at the No. 3 spot.

For the Gophers, a three or four point weekend would put the pressure on all three teams they are chasing for the No. 5 spot and keep them in contention for a home ice spot.

If history is any indicator, we are in for a close two-game series. 11 of the last 12 meetings between the teams ahve been decided by two goals or less, including two heartbreaking losses for Minnesota earlier this season. At Mariucci Arena, Don Lucia’s squad held two-goal leads in each game before falling in each contest; including losing with just 12 seconds remaining in overtime in the first night’s game.

While Minnesota holds the overall series lead, they have been dominated by the Bulldogs of late, with the memory of last season’s knockout at the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five still fresh in many of the current Gophers players memories.

Gophers Offensive First Line:

Left Wing-Jacob Cepis

Center-Jordan Schroeder

Right Wing-Zach Budish

Gophers Defensive First Line:

Left-Nick Leddy

Right-David Fischer

Goalie-Alex Kangas

Bulldogs Offensive First Line:

Left Wing-Travis Oleksuk

Center-Jack Connolly

Right Wing-Justin Fontaine

Bulldogs Defensive First Line:

Left-Wade Bergman

Right-Brady Lamb

Goalie-Brady Hjelle