If there was question about how the Bulldogs significant youth movement would mesh with their veterans, the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team certainly put it to rest Saturday night.
The No. 5 Bulldogs used three goals in the first period to power past the Minnesota Whitecaps 4-1 at AMSOIL Arena in an exhibition contest. The game sets the stage for UMD to host Penn State University next Friday and Saturday to officially drop the puck on the 2017-18 season.
"You saw a lot of youth, you saw a lot of energy, you saw a lot of speed and potential," said head coach Maura Crowell. "But most importantly, there was hard work for 60 minutes. I really like a lot of the key aspects that were going on out there. I think there is a lot to work with."
As though on script, it was senior forward Michelle Lowenhielm and freshmen forward Ashton Bell that combined for the game's first goal.  Lowenhielm buried a rebound off a Bell shot 5:37 into play for the 1-0 lead, and UMD doubled that when Bell's cross-crease pass found sophomore Ryleigh Houston at 8:18. The Bulldogs tacked another tally on at the 13:48 mark, courtesy of Lynn Astrup's redirect of Lowenhielm's shot.
The Whitecaps scored a shorthanded goal at 4:03 of the second period, but the Bulldogs stretched their goal difference again at 6:29 of the third stanza. Senior Jessica Healey skated into the slot and beat Whitecap goaltender Julie Friend glove side for the 4-1 advantage at 6:29.
In all, seven Bulldogs registered a point, with three players picking up two points — Lowenhielm (1g, 1a), Healey (1g, 1a) and Bell (2a). Two UMD netminders split time -- sophomore Catherine Johnson earned the win on 10 saves and one goal in the first half of the game, while senior Jessica Convery stopped 11 pucks in a little over 30 minutes of action.
UMD outshot the Whitecaps 43-26 and was 1-of-7 on the power play.
The Bulldogs will host Penn State for the first time in program history next week at AMSOIL. The Friday-Saturday series will get underway at 7:07 p.m. Friday and will conclude Saturday at 3:07 p.m.
