North Dakota and Denver only mustered a combined eight shots on goal — four each — in a scoreless first period. That ties a Frozen Four record set on March 30, 1996, when Colorado College (5) and Michigan (3) combined for eight first-period goals in the national championship game.
The Pioneers didn’t get their first shot on Fighting Hawks goalie Cam Johnson until more than eight minutes had passed, during their first power play, resulting from a hooking call on North Dakota’s Coltyn Sanderson at 7:45.
Denver looked as if it might be close to going on a five-minute power play at 13:40 when North Dakota’s Rhett Gardner cross-checked Nolan Zajac along the end boards. A minor was assessed on Gardner.
Denver was 0-for-2 on the power play, while taking no penalties in the period.
