News

BULLDOGS START FAST, CRUISE TO 6-2 WIN OVER OHIO STATE

Friday, October 12, 2012

Tony Cameranesi (far left), Austin Farley and Justin Crandall celebrate a UMD goal Friday night at AMSOIL Arena.

Credit: Dave Harwig

Significant roster turnover and an influx of freshmen in the lineup had many expecting the University of Minnesota Duluth to endure an adjustment period to begin the season. That adjustment period lasted all of 65 seconds.

Sparked by a trio of talented rookies and key veteran contributors, the 13th-ranked Bulldogs stormed out of the gates, established themselves quickly and never looked back in a season-opening 6-2 triumph over Ohio State University in front of 5,831 at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth.

Freshmen Austin Farley, Tony Cameranesi and Andy Welinski combined for two goals and five points in their collegiate debuts, while top-returning scorers Caleb Herbert and Mike Seidel added a collective six points.

“Guys were anxious, we wanted to play,” Farley said after notching a goal and two assists. “I think that first shift set the tone, really showed that we weren't going to sit back and that we’re ready to be a hard-nosed team.”

Farley’s goal at 1:05 of the first (a tip-in from the doorstep off a perfect feed from Cameranesi) came before most fans had settled into their seats. After the Buckeyes managed to knot the game at 1-1 just two minutes later, Joe Basaraba and Seidel struck 20 seconds apart to give the Bulldogs a two-goal cushion.

Justin Crandall made it 4-1 with a breakaway marker at 16:49 of the opening period, and UMD held a comfortable edge on the scoreboard for the remainder of the evening.

“A lot of people were talking about how we lost a lot of offensive power,” said Seidel, who matched a career-high with three points (two goals, one assist) on the night. “But we were forechecking hard, and everyone was going all out. I feel like Ohio State was just kind of chipping the puck out and trying to create foot races because we had them hemmed in the zone so well.”

The Bulldogs, who are unbeaten in their last seven season-openers, went three-for-eight on the man-advantage and killed seven of the eight Ohio State power plays.

Junior goaltender Aaron Crandall turned aside 25 of 27 shots – his highest save total since Feb. 11, 2011 when he made 32 saves in a 6-4 win over the University of Minnesota.

UMD will look to cap a two-game sweep tomorrow night, with the opening faceoff at AMSOIL Arena set for 7:07 p.m.

Return to all news.