Physical rivalry begins as Gophers and North Dakota clash

The Minnesota-North Dakota college hockey rivalry showcased its intensity on October 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. An early scuffle between Minnesota's Axel Lofgren and North Dakota's Cody Croal resulted in multiple minor penalties, reflecting the game's physicality. The match saw ten penalties in the first two periods, with North Dakota scoring first during a power play. The teams entered the second intermission tied at 1-1, with the physical play continuing throughout the contest. Both teams are set to continue this rivalry amid heightened tensions.

• 1:36 AMYahoo Sports — Early scuffle sets physical tone for Gophers-North Dakota rivalry