The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team will take to the ice of AMSOIL Arena this weekend for its annual Pink Game against an unfamilar foe. The Bulldogs will host Lindenwood University on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 3:07 p.m. Fans can bid on UMD's special pink game-worn jerseys at both games, and the bidding will end prior to the third period on Sunday. All proceeds will benefit the Essentia Health Foundation.
THE SERIES: UMD has never faced Lindenwood University, out of St. Charles, Missouri, in it's 16 year history. The Lions play in College Hockey America, however, and the Bulldogs have faced CHA foes Mercyhurst and Robert Morris in previous seasons, as well as former CHA member Niagra.
In 10 games against CHA schools, UMD is 7-2-1 all-time. Most recently, the Bulldogs split a series with Mercyhurst back on Oct. 30-31, 2009, with a 2-5 loss before pocketing a 4-3 win the following day.
Last season, Lindenwood went 5-26-3 and 5-13-2 in CHA play. The Lions were 0-9-1 against WCHA members, and so far this season, are 1-3 against WCHA schools.
The Bulldogs and Lions have played a common opponent in No. 2 Wisconsin this season. Lindenwood started out the season hosting the Badgers in Wentzville, Mo. on Sept. 26-27. Wisconsin swept the Lions by scores of 1-5 and 0-6.
ABOUT LINDENWOOD: The Lions are 1-3 so far this season after defeating WCHA member St. Cloud State last Saturday in St. Cloud, Minn. 5-3. The Lions are led by former UMD transfer Shara Jasper and Katie Erickson, who each have three points. Jasper, a junior, has netted two goals and an assist in her first four games.
Scott Spencer is in his first season at the helm of the Lindenwood program, which is currently in its fourth season of NCAA play. Spencer was an assistant at Ohio State during the 2011-12 season and spent five seasons prior to that as an assistant at Robert Morris.
LAST TIME OUT: UMD (2-4-2, 1-4-1) left Grand Forks with a series split with then No. 8/10 North Dakota last weekend. Friday night, the Bulldogs fell 2-1 in overtime but rebounded Saturday afternoon to earn the 1-0 triumph.
The Bulldogs scored first Friday night, 3:56 into the second period but surrendered the tying goal 13:20 into the third period. For a third time in its first seven games and second time in as many skates, UMD went to overtime to attempt to decide the outcome. North Dakota netted the game-winner just 1:46 into extra time to pick up the 2-1 win. It was the fourth overtime contest between the two programs in their last six skates.
Saturday UMD bullied North Dakota netminder Shelby Amsley-Benzie all afternoon, outshooting UND 12-7 in the first period and 8-5 in the second. It was more of the same in the third period when senior winger
Meghan Huertas broke the tie with her first goal of the season at the 12:58 mark on the power play. Taking a cue from a Zoe HIckel pass in traffic into the slot, Huertas got enough on the puck to put it between Amsley-Benzie's pads, and the puck trickled over the goal line to give the Bulldogs the only score they would need. Junior goaltender
Kayla Black was again outstanding in the goal, and the Bulldogs not only scored the only goal of the contest, they outshot UND 31-16.
NOTES FROM THE NORTH DAKOTA SERIES: UMD is now 36-11-4 all time against North Dakota, with four overtime games in their last eight skates. The win broke a nine game unbeaten streak UND held against the Bulldogs, though UMD had two shootout victories, three ties and five overtime games during that span. The Bulldogs previous win over North Dakota prior to Saturday afternoon's shutout was a 5-1 win in Grand Forks on Dec. 11, 2011.
--The Bulldogs held North Dakota scoreless in all six power play attempts in the series. Of UMD's eight games, the Bulldogs have registered a perfect power play in five of those outings. Four of those outings were against teams ranked in the top-10.
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Kayla Black's shutout Saturday was the 11th of her career and second of the current season.
--The Bulldogs held North Dakota to an opponent season-low 16 shots in Saturday's win.
MCPARLAND ON THE CUSP OF 100 POINT CLUB: Senior winger
Jenna McParland picked up a goal and an assist in the North Dakota series, pushing her to 99 career points with 46 goals and 53 assists in 113 games. McParland is angling to become the 19th player in UMD history to reach the mark. McParland, who has led UMD in scoring for the previous two seasons, owns a team-high six points on three goals and three assists this year.
McParland currently owns a UMD-best three game scoring streak, which started in the Bulldogs 3-3 tie with No. 1 Minnesota with a goal. The Schreiber, Ontario native has since added another goal and an assist, compiling three points in her last three outings -- all against top-10 teams.
BULLDOG NOTES: Rookie
Michelle Lowenhielm is ranked 13th in the NCAA among all rookie scorers with two goals and three assists for five points in eight games. She ranks third among all rookie scorers currently in the WCHA.
--The Bulldogs win Saturday was their first defeat of a top-10 ranked opponent since they defeated Ohio State 3-2 back on Jan. 26, 2013. Since then, UMD has tied a top-10 ranked team five times, and three times earned WCHA shootout wins. Most recently the Bulldogs tied No. 1 Minnesota 3-3 and netted the shootout win on Oct. 11.
--UMD is outshooting its opponents 89-79 in the second period, but have been outshot 88-73 in the third period. Overall, the Bulldogs are averaging 30.5 shots on goal a game.
--Both UMD and its opponents have compiled 244 shots on goal, but in WCHA play, the Bulldogs have been outshot 197-151.
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