In front of a sold-out crowd in Chippewa Falls, Wis. the University of Minnesota Duluth defeated the University of Wisconsin 4-2 in an exhibition matchup. 
 
"We did some good things and some bad things, but it was good to get the win," said Head Coach Scott Sandelin. "I thought both teams battled hard. It was an early-season game, but it was a good chance to get a look at some of our young guys. Overall, a lot of good starting points and a lot of good teaching points from the game." 
 
Four different goal scorers provided the offense for UMD. Carter Loney, Hunter Lellig, Casey Gilling, and Jesse Jacques all notched goals in the victory. Bulldog's goaltenders Ben Patt, Ryan Fanti, and Zach Stejskal all played a period each during Sunday's contest.
 
Redshirt senior goaltender Ben Patt got the start in net. Midway through the first frame, UMD forward Tanner Laderoute located a bouncing puck at the Badgers blueline and broke in alone on a partial breakaway. With his backhand, Laderoute attempted to slip the puck five-hole but Wisconsin goaltender Cam Rowe made the stick save. Though there were chances at both ends, neither team would find the back of the net in the first period. 
 
Minnesota Duluth Junior goaltender Ryan Fanti got the call in the second period. With 16:35 remaining in the second, freshman forward Carter Loney got UMD on the board. After a Wisconsin neutral zone turnover, defenseman Louie Roehl found Loney streaking through the middle of the ice. From the top of the right faceoff circle, Loney sent a beautiful wrist shot past the blocker of Rowe to give the Bulldogs the 1-0 lead. 
 
Late in the second period, Wisconsin would tie the game. A sharp angle Badger shot beat Fanti high and nodded the game at 1-1 with 5:22 left to play in the frame. However, UMD quickly gained the lead back. Just 24 seconds later, senior defenseman Hunter Lellig snapped a shot past the Badger goaltender to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage. UMD kept up the pressure. A few minutes after the Lellig goal, graduate transfer Casey Gilling took a feed from Laderoute and beat Wisconsin goalie Jared Moe upstairs. The Bulldogs took a 3-1 lead to the third period of play. 
 
In the third, sophomore Zach Stejskal took over in net for Minnesota Duluth. With 12:17 left in regulation, Wisconsin converted on a 2 on 1 to cut the UMD lead to 3-2. Wisconsin threatened with a late powerplay but a series of saves from Stejskal shut the door on the Badgers. With the clock winding down and an empty Wisconsin net, 5th-year Koby Bender poked the puck out to center ice to give Jesse Jacques a free shot at the net, making the score 4-2 Bulldogs with just two seconds remaining on the clock. UMD took the exhibition game by a final of 4-2. The game won't be counted towards the Bulldog's team or individual totals.
 
Up Next
UMD will officially begin its 2021-22 season on Friday, Oct. 8 at Bemidji State. Puck-drop is set for 7:00 PM in Bemidji, Minn.