University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey fans are about to see just how mentally tough their Bulldogs truly are.  Without an on ice opponent since Dec. 6, UMD will welcome Bemidji State University to AMSOIL Arena this Saturday and Sunday for two hugely important Western Collegiate Hockey Association contests.  Both games will get underway at 3:07 p.m.  Following Sunday's game, the Bulldogs will host their annual "Skate With the Bulldogs". Fans of all ages are welcome to skate with members of the women's team -- All kids ages 18 & under are asked to bring their own helmet.  

USCHO RANKING:  UMD-- 7th, Bemidji State- Receiving Votes
USA TODAY/USA HOCKEY MAG: UMD-- 7th, Bemidji State-- Receiving Votes

THE SERIES:  Despite the Bulldogs owning a 60-5-2 all-time record against BSU, it was the Beavers that halted UMD's nine-game winning streak back on Nov. 28.  BSU upset the Bulldogs 4-1 before UMD salvaged a series split with with a 2-0 triumph on Nov. 29.  

On Nov. 28th,  the Bulldogs struck first 6:30 into the game on a Bridgette Lacquette goal, but the Beavers responded with four unanswered goals, including an open net tally to beat UMD 4-1.  It was the Bulldogs first loss since Oct. 17 and only the fifth ever loss for UMD against BSU in 67 meetings. The Bulldogs outshot BSU 13-4 in the third period and 32-25 in the game.

Nov. 29, UMD again scored first, this time 2:23 into the contest, thanks to senior winger Zoe Hickel.  That goal would stand as the eventual game-winner, though Meghan Huertas added an open net tally with 58 seconds left to ice the contest for the Bulldogs. Bemidji outshot UMD 32-29 in the skate, including 19-4 in the second period, but goaltender Kayla Black earned her sixth shutout of the season.  UMD was a perfect 4-of-4 on the penalty kill.

WHERE THEY STAND:  The Bulldogs are currently in third place in the WCHA with a 7-5-2-2 record abd 25 points, just one point ahead of Ohio State in fourth.  The Beavers are sitting in fifth place with a record of 7-8-1-1, just two points behind UMD with 23 points.

LAST TIME OUT:   UMD picked up four WCHA points to firmly grasp third place over the weekend of Dec. 5-6 in Columbus against Ohio State with a 2-2 tie and shootout win Friday (Dec. 5) followed by a 4-1 triumph over the Buckeyes on Saturday (Dec. 6).

On Dec. 5, UMD trailed OSU twice, finding the equalizers on goals from Ashleigh Brykaliuk and Katerina Mrázovå to force the game in extra time after a 2-2 regulation.  After a scoreless overtime, Jenna McParland kept the Bulldogs perfect in shootouts this season with the lone goal, while goaltender Kayla Black held OSU scoreless on three attempts.  The Buckeyes outshot UMD 33-30 in the game.

Dec. 6, OSU again got on the board first with an early second period goal, but UMD scored three unanswered second period goals, including a shorthanded game-winner by Meghan Huertas 13:04 into the stanza to bury the Buckeyes.  Zoe Hickel, Mrázovå, and McParland had the games goals, while Brykaliuk had two assists.  UMD outshot OSU 29-21, but was held scoreless in six power play attempts.

FLYING THEIR COLORS:  Six Bulldogs had international duties over the holiday break, starting with senior captain Zoe Hickel, who spent Dec. 27-31 in Blain, Minn. at the USA Hockey Winter Camp.  Katerina Mrázová spent time with the Czech Republic's squad, while four players suiting up for two different teams skated in the Nations Cup in Fussen, Germany this week.  Rookies Linnea Hedin, Maria Lindh and Michelle Lowenhielm all won silver medals with Team Sweden, while sophomore Lara Stalder represented Switzerland.

BUYING IN AFTER THE BREAK:  As a program, UMD is an impressive 22-5-3 all-time in its first series back after the holiday break.  In fact, the Bulldogs are unbeaten in 14 consecutive first games after the long layoff, last dropping their first game back on Jan. 6, 2002, a 3-1 loss to Wisconsin at the DECC.

POINTS TAKEN:  Overall, Ashleigh Brykaliuk had four points in UMD's last series against OSU (1g, 3a), and now has seven games where she has recorded two or more points.  She leads the Bulldogs with 22 points on 10 goals and 12 assists, tying her rookie output for points only 20 games into the current season.  Brykaliuk is averaging 1.10 ppg for UMD.

Zoe Hickel leads the Bulldogs in goals, with 12 tallies in 19 skates and has scored five goals in her last six outings.  Hickel is currently ranked 19th in the NCAA for goals per game.


BULLDOG NOTES:  UMD is currently unbeaten in its last three games and has gone 11-1-1 in its last 13 games.

--The Bulldogs rank 8th in the NCAA with a .675 winning percentage.

-- Kayla Black is ranked 4th in the nation with six shutouts and sits No. 14 with a 1.73 GAA.  Black is one shutout shy of setting a single-season record for shutouts at UMD. Black's 13 career shutouts rank her third in UMD goaltendening history behind Riitta Schaublin (17) and Kim Martin (16).

CHART TOPPERS:  Now with 110 career points (50g, 60a), senior winger Jenna McParland has taken over sole possession as the 15th all-time leading scorer in Bulldog history.  She trails the No. 14 slot by just one point. In that same vein, senior blueliner Brigette Lacquette now ranks as the 10th all-time scoring defenseman with 56 points, sits tied for 8th in goals scored (16) and is tied for ninth with 40 assists by a blueliner in a career.

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