Minnesota – Duluth was coming off a very successful season where they won the NCHC Tournament and finished as the National Runner-up . Unfortunately , the team lost five of its top six scorers in the offseason as well as their starting goaltender , Hunter Miska . Despite the roster turnover , the Bulldogs were ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll and opened their season by hosting the Ice Breaker Tournament . After winning against preseason No. 3 Minnesota Duluth stumbled , going 0 – 2 – 2 over its next four games . UMD was still trying to find its starting goaltender and after a 0 – 0 tie against Bemidji State it looked like Nick Deery had claimed the job but after surrendering 5 goals to the woeful Merrimack Warriors in the very next game Hunter Sheppard got the starting job once more . Sheppard would allow only 3 goals in the next three games ( all Bulldog wins ) and stake his claim in goal
NCHC Tournament
2017 NCHC Tournament
2017–18 Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season