GRAND FORKS, N.D. - For the fourth time in the last five seasons, North Dakota hoisted the Penrose Cup as NCHC regular-season champions on Saturday night. The Fighting Hawks completed a sweep of Western Michigan with a 3-0 shutout at Ralph Engelstad Arena to move seven points clear (49 points) of second-place Denver (42) with only two conference games (six points) remaining. UND earned the Penrose Cup for the sixth time in NCHC history (11 years), including winning its fifth outright NCHC regular-season title.

North Dakota also won Penrose Cups in 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021 and 2022, the last of which was shared with Denver. Only three programs have lifted the Penrose Cup in NCHC history, with Denver winning three (2017, 2022 and 2023), including last year, and St. Cloud State claiming three NCHC regular-season titles (2014, 2018 and 2019), as well.

The Fighting Hawks also locked up the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCHC Tournament, which starts with best-of-3 NCHC Quarterfinal series from March 15-17. UND will host No. 8 seed Miami in the first round, while Denver and St. Cloud State have also secured home ice for the NCHC Quarterfinals. The final home-ice playoff spot will go to either Colorado College (38 points) or Omaha (34).

Minnesota Duluth is locked into the No. 7 seed, though the Bulldogs opponent and quarterfinal series location are to be determined, as Denver, SCSU or CC can finish as high as second place. Western Michigan will be on the road for the quarterfinals as either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.

The NCHC regular season wraps up next weekend, March 8-9, with Miami at Western Michigan, St. Cloud State at Minnesota Duluth, North Dakota at Omaha, and Colorado College taking on Denver in a home-and-home series. Seven games can be seen on NCHC.tv, while Friday’s Gold Pan rivalry at Ed Robson Arena will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.