The University of Minnesota Duluth will lift the lid on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association postseason Friday when the No. 4 seed Bulldogs host No. 5 Bemidji State University at AMSOIL Arena. The best of the three series will get underway at 2:07 p.m.Friday, with the second game set for 2:07 p.m. Saturday. If a third game is needed, it will also begin at 2:07 p.m. Sunday.
THE SERIES: UMD is 68-15-4 all-time after going 2-3 against the Beavers over the regular season. The Bulldogs played BSU four times in league action this season, in addition to a non-conference game back on Nov. 6 in Cambridge, Minn. in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game that favored the Beavers 3-2.
While BSU just slightly outscored UMD over the regular season (14-12), the Beavers peppered the Bulldogs with a shots on goal advantage of 181-136. In fact, BSU averaged 36.2 shots per game compared to just 27.2 for UMD in those five regular season games. In that vein, UMD goaltender Jessica Convery made a season-high 43 saves on a season opponent high of 45 shots on goal against BSU on Oct. 27, a 3-2 win for the Bulldogs.
Four Bulldogs have compiled four or more points against BSU in five games this season -- Ashton Bell (3-2=5), Naomi Rogge (2-2=4), and defensemen Jalyn Elmes (1-3=4), and Michelle Lowenhielm (four assists).
The two squads last tangled in Duluth on Jan. 12-13, a series split by scores of a 5-3 BSU win on Jan. 12 before the Bulldogs defeated the Beavers 3-2 on Jan. 13.
UMD built a 2-1 lead after two periods on Friday, Jan. 12, thanks to Ryleigh Houston's first goal as a Bulldog at 12:23 of the first period and a power play goal by Jessica Healey at 17:29 of the second period. But the Beavers ran off four unaswered goals, including three in a matter of just under six minutes in the third period. Healey stopped BSU's offensive onslaught with her second goal of the night — and second on the power play — at 13:17, but it was not enough for the Beavers, who added an empty net score with 15 seconds remaining in regulation.
Saturday, Jan. 13 the Bulldogs scored three power play goals to upend BSU 3-2. Those three power play goals — two courtesy of Ashton Bell — came in just four extra skater opportunities.
UMD drew even just 2:14 later on the first of Bell's two goals. After scoring the first goal of her UMD career Friday night, Ryleigh Houston followed her scoring debut with her second at 8:01 of the first period to push the Bulldogs lead to 2-1. Houston's scrappy effort not only marked her second goal of the weekend, but fourth point overall — the sophomore forward figured in four of UMD's six goals in the series.
BSU again tied up the Bulldogs 5:51 into the second period, cashing in on a UMD turnover. But Bell struck again at 11:28, smacking home a rebound on the doorstep for her second goal of the game, and more importantly, the first game-winning tally of her young career.
UMD AND BEMIDJI STATE IN POSTSEASON PLAY: The Bulldogs and Beavers have met 10 times in WCHA postseason play, where UMD owns a 8-2 overall record in those meetings.
The Bulldogs have clashed with the Beavers nine times in four series in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, and UMD is 7-2 in those skates. The last time the Bulldogs faced BSU in the first round was during the 2015-16 on Feb. 26 and 27 in Bemidji, Minn. The Bulldogs stunned the then No. 7 Beavers by scores of 5-1 and 2-1 to advance to the WCHA Final Face-Off, despite BSU having swept UMD in the regular season in four straight games.
There are just nine rostered UMD players who played in that series, and just eight that will be available this weekend for the Bulldogs. Senior defensemen Jessica Healey, Catherine Daoust and Linnea Hedin, as well as junior blueliner Shelby Brossart all skated in the BSU series. Forwards Reagan Haley, Lynn Astrup, and Emma Yanko also helped UMD upset the Beavers.
UMD-BSU WCHA Postseason History--
Feb. 28, 2016 UMD 2, BSU 1 (Away)
Feb, 27, 2016 UMD 5, BSU 1 (Away)
WCHA First Round
March 1, 2015 BSU 2, UMD 1 Overtime
Feb. 28, 2015 UMD 2, BSU 0
Feb. 27, 2015 BSU 3, UMD 2
WCHA First Round
UMD 7, BSU 3 March 6, 2010
WCHA Final Face-Off semifinals
UMD 5, BSU 1 March 1, 2008
UMD 6, BSU 0 Feb. 29, 2008
WCHA First Round
UMD 3, BSU 0 March 4, 2006
UMD 7, BSU 2 March 3, 2006
WCHA First Round
A QUICK LOOK AT THE BEAVERS: BSU enters the weekend 14-17-3 overall with a fifth place finish in the WCHA. At the helm ism Jim Scanlan, in his fourth-year at BSU with an overall record of 69-65-10 all-time and 4-7 in WCHA postseason play.
The Beavers are offensively led by sophomore Haley Mack and Clair DeGeorge, who have 22 points each -- Mack has nine goals and 13 assists in 34 games, while DeGeorge has seven goals and 15 assists in 33 skates.
BSU has played three goaltenders this season, but freshman Lauren Bench has suited in 19 games, including three against UMD. Bench has gone 1-2 against the Bulldogs, and has allowed eight goals on 79 shots.
BSU split last weekend with then No. 6 Ohio State in Columbus by scores of 0-4 and 2-1.
LAST TIME OUT: The Bulldogs swept Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn. over the weekend by scores of 3-0 and 3-2.
UMD got just the offense it needed, and it started at 10:11 of the first period when Ryleigh Houston's shot went off Maverick goaltender Chloe Crosby and down from the crossbar to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
Outshot 11-10 in the first period, UMD struck again in the second period at 12:16, eight seconds in on its first power play of the game. Senior defenseman Jessica Healey backhanded home her fourth power play tally of the year to pad the Bulldogs lead to 2-0. From there, it was all Jessica Convery, who in addition to making 24 saves on all 24 shots she faced also helped UMD hold MSU scoreless on three Bulldog penalty kills.
On Saturday, MSU went up 1-0 on a fluke shot that jumped over the shoulder of Bulldog goaltender Convery at 5:56 of the first period, UMD and Katerina Mrázová responded less than two minutes later. Sophomore forward Sydney Brodt drove to the net, and her pass across the slot deflected right to Mrázová, who tied the game at 7:51.
The Mavericks managed to stun the NCAA's fifth-best power play 25 seconds into the second period with a shorthanded goal to take a 2-1 lead on UMD. But the Mavericks three infractions in the second stanza didn't go unpunished by the Bulldogs. Senior defenseman Catherine Daoust's slapshot from the point beat MSU at 4:31 of the second period.
The Bulldogs power play — on the ice for more than seven minutes in the second period — paid off once again midway in the third period. UMD and Mrázová took the lead for good at 12:51 of the stanza when Mrázová buried her own rebound from one knee. Convery finished with 20 saves for the Bulldogs, who outshot the Mavericks 35-22 and went 2-of-5 on their power play.
NOTES FROM THE MINNESOTA STATE SERIES: UMD swept the Mavericks on the season, going 4-0 and outscoring MSU 10-5 this season. The Bulldogs have won 13 of their last 14 games against the Mavericks.
--UMD is 66-7-4 all-time against MSU.
--The Bulldogs went 3-of-7 on their power play over the weekend -- three of UMD's five goals were with an extra skater.
--UMD held the Mavericks scoreless in six power play attempts.
CONVERY CLIMBS THE CHARTS: Jessica Convery now has the ninth most saves recorded by a Bulldog goaltender in a single season (739), and is just 36 shy of the 8th place spot. Convery also has played the 10th most minutes by a netminder in a single season at 1732:27.
Currently, Friday's shutout against MSU was also Jessica Convery's third of the season, good enough for a tie for 12th in the NCAA.
POWERED PUP PLAY: UMD currently owns the fifth-best power play in the NCAA and the No. 1 power play in the WCHA having converted 21 power plays on 88 chances for a 23.9.
UMD has not finished the season with a power play conversion rate higher than 23.9 since it posted a 28.9 on 59/204 back during the 2002-03 season.
In fact, UMD's program has finished the season with a 23.9 or higher power play just four times in its history -- 2002-03, 24.4 in 2001-02, 29.1 in 2000-01 and 29.1 in 1999-00.
On the flip side, UMD has the fewest penalty minutes in the nation at 5.2 a game.
GOING ROGGE: Freshman Naomi Rogge continues to lead UMD with 23 points on a team-high 15 goals and eight assists. Rogge's 15 goals are the second most by a rookie in the WCHA her 11 league goals ranks her second among all freshmen. Rogge also sits eighth in the NCAA among all rookie goal scorers.
Against ranked opponents, Rogge has registered six goals and three assists for nine points in 15 games.
Rogge's 15 goals are the most by a UMD freshman since Jenna McParland dropped 21 goals in 36 games in 2011-12. By comparison, Rogge has compiled 15 goals in 32 games so far this season.
HAPPY AT HOME: UMD is 9-4-1 overall at AMSOIL Arena this season, and 7-4-1 in WCHA action. By comparison, the Bulldogs are 4-9-2 on the road and own three road WCHA wins with a record of 3-7-2 in their opponents home rink.
UMD is 1-1-1 when both sides are neutral.
NET LOSS: UMD has outshot its opponents 934-881 but has been outscored 66-76. Those 66 goals in 32 games currently puts the Bulldogs on track for a program-low season goal output.
UMD's current 2.06 goals per game average is far under the Bulldogs previous low goal count of 2.38 GPG in 2012-13. That season, UMD scored 81 goals in 34 games. As a program, the Bulldogs have posted less than 90 goals in a season just twice -- 2012-13, and then again in 2013-14, a 2.36 GPG after UMD posted just 85 goals in 36 games.
BULLDOG NOTES: UMD is still winless when they trail after the first period (0-9-2)
--UMD is 6-7-2 in games where it has been outshot this season.
NINE BULLDOGS NAMED WCHA SCHOLAR ATHLETES: UMD had nine student-athletes named 2017-18 WCHA Award recipients Wednesday.
Of the nine Bulldogs named to the league's most prestigious academic award, three have won the award three times, including three-time selections senior forward Lynn Astrup (Warroad, Minn.), senior defenseman Catherine Daoust (Île-Bizard, Québec) and senior defenseman Linnea Hedin (Huddinge, Sweden).
The rest of UMD's 2017-18 WCHA Scholar-Athletes are sophomore forward Sydney Brodt (North Oaks, Minn.); two-time recipient junior forward Reagan Haley (Red Wing, Minn.); sophomore forward Ryleigh Houston (Winnipeg, Manitoba); sophomore goaltender Catherine Johnson (Lakeville, Minn.); two-time selection senior defenseman Michelle Löwenhielm (Sollentuna, Sweden); and junior forward Emma Yanko (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan).
As a program, UMD has now had 61 WCHA Scholar Athletes since the league began the honor, and seven student-athletes have earned the distinction three times.
SENIOR SALUTE: UMD has seven seniors this season, including forwards Katerina Mrázová, Lynn Astrup, defensemen Jessica Healey, Catherine Daoust, Linnea Hedin and Michelle Lowenhielm, and goaltender Jessica Convery.
As a class, they have gone 74-54-15 overall, with two 20-plus seasons (25-7-5 in 2016-17) and 20-12-5 in 2014-15). They also have one home NCAA tournament appearance (2017), as well as a WCHA Final Face-Off championship game appearance (2017).
With 13 WCHA All-Academic Team members, (Astrup twice, Daoust twice, Healey twice, Hedin twice, Mrázová three times), the Bulldog senior class also has had 12 heralded WCHA Scholar Athlete recepients (Astrup, Daoust, and Hedin three times,) as well as and five 2016-17 AHCA All-American Scholars (Astrup, Daoust, Healey, and Lowenhilem).
ROONEY EARNS FIRST OLYMPIC SHUTOUT, FIVE BULLDOGS TO PLAY FOR OLYMPIC GOLD THURSDAY Maddie Rooney is going to play in the Olympic gold medal game.
The junior redshirt goaltender of the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team will join her former Bulldog teammate, defenseman Sidney Morin, in the United States gold medal hunt after the U.S. defeated Finland 5-0 Monday at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in front of 5,173 fans in the first Olympic semifinal game. The U.S. will face Canada (and three more former Bulldogs) on Thursday after Canada skated over the Olympic Athletes of Russia 5-0.
In the first semifinal, Rooney got her third start of the tournament and earned her first Olympic shutout, turning away all 14 shots she faced. She got some help from Morin, who's shot on net at 13:55 of the second period was tipped in by Hilary Knight to give the U.S. a 4-0 lead and Morin's first Olympic assist.
Rooney has gone 2-1 in her three starts, with her lone loss against Canada in Group A play. Overall, Rooney has a 1.01 GAA and a .951 saves percentage, having made 58 saves on 61 shots. The Andover, Minn. native was just an infant the last time the U.S. beat Canada in the Olympic final.
Between Rooney and Morin and U.S. gold is Canada and three more former Bulldogs in forward Haley Irwin, and defensemen Jocelyne Larocque and Brigette Lacquette. Irwin had the second assist in Canada's fifth goal Monday that came at 14:08 of the third period, her second point of the tournament (1g, 1a). Irwin already owns gold medals from the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, while Larocque owns a gold from Sochi in 2014.
Lacquette, who like Morin and Larocque was an All-American at UMD, is also like Morin and Rooney in that the current Olympic tournament is her Olympic debut. Lacquette was a senior when Morin was a sophomore at UMD (Lacquette was centralized during Morin's rookie season, 2013-14). The mighty defensemen were paired together in 13 of UMD's 37 games that season, and together had nine goals and 31 assists between them (Lacquette was 7-18=25 in 35 games, while Morin was 2-13=15 in 37 skates).
Only one can win a gold medal on Thursday, however, though no matter the result, no fewer than two former Bulldogs will own gold medals, and five medals in all will be passed out to UMD alums regardless of the outcome. Canada has won the last four Olympic gold medals after the U.S. won the inaugural gold medal game in Nagano, Japan in 1998.
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