The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team will take a break from battling top-5 opponents this weekend when they face-off with Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival Bemdiji State University. The Bulldogs, who last met the Beavers in the first round of the WCHA playoffs last February, will host BSU on both Friday and Saturday at 3:07 p.m.
USCHO RANKING: UMD-- No. 5, Bemidji State-- N/A
USA TODAY/USA Hockey Magazine: UMD--No. 5, Bemidji State-- N/A
THE SERIES: UMD is 69-17-4 against the Beavers all-time after going 3-5 against BSU over the 2017-18 season. The Bulldogs played the Beavers eight times last year, including three games in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, and an extra contest non-conference game in early November in Cambridge, Minn., in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game.
The two progams last tangled Feb. 23-25 in the WCHA first round, which resulted in the Beavers advancing to the semifinals on a 3-0 win over UMD on Feb. 25 at AMSOIL Arena. After dropping a 2-1 heartbreaker to BSU on Feb. 23, the Bulldogs came back and buried the Beavers 4-1 to even the series.
In those eight games, BSU just barely outscored UMD 16-18. The Bulldogs had one player with six points against the Beavers in those eight outings a year ago -- Ashton Bell (3g, 3a), and two with five points -- Naomi Rogge (2g, 2a) and Jalyn Elmes (1g, 4a).
UMD has played the third-most games in its history against the Beavers. The Bulldogs have faced BSU 89 times prior to the upcoming weekend, trailing only UMD games against Minnesota (92) and Wisconsin (90).
A QUICK LOOK AT THE BEAVERS: BSU is 0-4 through its first four games, but their first series of the season was against defending NCAA champion Clarkson (1-5 and 3-5 losses). Last weekend at Providence, the Beavers suffered 1-4 and 3-4 setbacks. Both Abby Halluska (1g, 2a) and Briana Jorde (3a) both lead BSU in points so far this season.
Two goaltenders have played almost identical minutes for BSU -- sophomores Kerigan Dowhy (.814 save percentage) and Lauren Bench (.780). Jim Scanlan is in his fifth season at the helm of the Beavers, and has posted a 71-71-10 record all time as the BSU head coach.
LAST TIME OUT: The Bulldogs stumbled on the weekend against No. 2 Wisconsin, dropping Friday's game 4-2 before surrendering the sweep 3-1 Saturday.
After falling behind 2-0 Friday, UMD pulled even behind second period goals from sophomore Anna Klein and rookie forward Gabbie Hughes. The Badgers used two power play goals in the third period to escape the Bulldogs attempted comeback. Maddie Rooney made 40 saves for UMD on the day.
Saturday, the Bulldogs scored the early -- 56 seconds into the game early -- when Ashton Bell capitalized on a Wisconsin communication error. The Badgers scored three unanswered goals, (one in each period) and ended up with a 3-1 win. Rooney again made 40 saves in the game.
NOTES FROM THE WISCONSIN SERIES: UMD is now 30-47-14 against the Badgers, and is winless in nine contests since beating Wisconsin 4-1 at AMSOIL back on Nov. 18, 2016. Over those nine games, UMD has registered two ties against the Badgers.
--Goaltender Maddie Rooney made 40 saves in both contests in Madison, and has now made 40 or more saves over a skate three times in six games so far.
--The Bulldogs struggled to stay out of the box last weekend against Wisconsin, spending a total of 18 minutes on the ice down a skater in the two games combined. In fact, two of Wisconsin's seven goals were scored on the power play.
--While UMD may have spent time in the box in Madison, when the calls have gone the other way, the Bulldogs power play has responded. UMD currently owns the nation's eighth-best power play at 26.7.
REPRIEVE FROM THE RANKED: The Bulldogs are coming off arguably the strongest first three opponents in program history. After playing then No. 4 Boston College, No. 3 Minnesota and No. 2 Wisconsin, back-to-back-to-back, the Bulldogs did something they've never done before -- play six games in a row against squads ranked in the top-four of the nation.
HOUSTON, WE HAVE A SCORER: Junior forward Ryleigh Houston continues to lead the Bulldogs in scoring, along with Gabbie Hughes, with a team-high three goals and two assist for five points.
HUGHES CURRENTLY SECOND-HIGHEST SCORING ROOKIE IN NCAA: Freshman forward Gabbie Hughes also leads UMD with three goals and two assists for a total of five points through six games. but is tied for second with all rookies in the NCAA in points. Hughes is also in a tie for second among all WCHA rookies in points, but is in a two-way tie for a rookie-league leading three goals.
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Video: http://bit.ly/2OSWKEN
