The memorable run for the University of Minnesota Duluth mens hockey team ended this past Sunday with a 4-3 loss to the No. 1 overall seed, Michigan, in an NCAA regional final at MVP Arena in Albany, New York. The Bulldogs (24-15-1) improved their win total by 11 from a year ago to get back to the NCAA Tournament, but they fell one win short of a spot in the NCAA Frozen Four.

For the season finale of the Bulldog Insider podcast, Matt Wellens of the News Tribune and Zach Schneider of My9 Sports are joined by KDAL's Bruce Ciskie as the insiders answer your questions, look back at the 2025-2026 and look ahead to next season. As the trio tells us, there are a lot of reasons for optimism in 2026-27. This episode was recorded on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

From everyone associated with the Bulldog Insider podcast, thank you for listening this season.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Max Plante has been hearing 'congratulations' a lot lately, but he isn't always sure what for. Sure, he has been collecting awards and honors left and right the past couple weeks and last week alone, he was named 2026 NCHC Forward of the Year, 2026 NCHC Player of the Year and a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. But, what he and his teammates are seeking is a NCAA championship.

The Hermantown native and 2024 second-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings joined News Tribune college hockey reporter Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider of My 9 Sports on the Bulldog Insider Podcast this week to discuss those awards, the postseason run that the Bulldogs are on and to answer questions from fans (including his grandma). Max is also asked if he and his brother - and teammate - Zam Plante could play a second sport at UMD like their parents Derek Plante (hockey and baseball) and Kristi (Duncan) Plante (basketball and softball), what would it be; who's the better pickleball player between he and Zam; the possibility of having all three Plante Brothers (Max, Zam and Victor) playing at UMD next season and much more. It is the second time that Max has appeared on the podcast this season.

As for this season, while the Bulldogs fell last Saturday in double-overtime in the NCHC championship game at Denver, they're still NCAA Tournament bound. No. 8 UMD (23-14-1) will take on No. 9 Penn State (21-13-2) at 8 p.m. CT on Friday at MVP Arena in Albany, New York, in a NCAA regional semifinal, with the winner advancing to the regional championship at Sunday against either No. 1 Michigan or No. 16 Bentley.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, the University of Minnesota Duluth mens hockey team will hear their name called during the 2026 NCAA tournament selection show on ESPNU for the first time since winning their last Frozen Faceoff title in 2022. The Bulldogs are one of 11 teams who are considered to be a 100% lock for the NCAA tournament based on the 20,000 simulations run by College Hockey News.

But before Selection Sunday, the sixth-ranked Bulldogs are hoping for some hardware, specifically - the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship as they will take on fourth-ranked Denver at 7:07 p.m. Friday at Magness Arena on the University of Denver campus in the conference final.

Joining Bulldog Insider co-host Matt Wellens this week to discuss the NCHC playoffs and NCAA Tournament is freshman forward Daniel Shlaine. The native of Moscow, Russia has five goals and five assists in 34 games this season. Shlaine also discusses his background in hockey, growing up in Russia, his brother Artem who played at Arizona State, playing at Shattuck St. Mary's in Faribault, what brought him to UMD, apartment life with teammates as roommates and much more.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.