A third period game-winning goal from sophomore Blake Biondi propelled the No. 5 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs past No. 15 Bemidji State on Saturday evening in Duluth. On the weekend, UMD put together 4-2 and 2-1 victories over the Beavers to sweep the series. The win also gives the Bulldogs a 2-0 overall record on the season. 
 
Up-front, UMD got goals from Biondi and senior Kobe Roth. Noah Cates, Casey Gilling, and Quinn Olson all added assists on the night, while Junior goaltender Ryan Fanti posted 15 saves and picked up his first win of the season. On the weekend, Cates, Roth, and Biondi all tallied a goal and an assist each. 
 
In the first period, a penalty to Jarrett Lee gave the Beavers the first scoring opportunity of the game. A blocked shot from Cates helped the Bulldogs kill off the man-advantage. Just over halfway through the first frame, Olson broke free down the left-wing boards on a partial breakaway. Olson cut to the net on his backhand and forced BSU goalkeeper Gavin Enright to make a quick pad save. Both goalies stood tall, and the teams went into the first intermission nodded up at 0-0. 
 
Midway the second period, a Beavers penalty gave the Bulldogs a chance to grab the game's first goal. On the ensuing UMD power play, Minnesota Duluth converted. While in the right-wing corner of the BSU zone, Gilling chipped the puck to Cates in the face off circle. Roth was parked in-front of the net and redirected a perfect pass from Cates to give UMD the 1-0 lead. Under a minute later, the Beavers tied the game. On a two-on-one, Beavers forward Alex Ierullo beat Fanti five-hole to tie the score at 1-1 with seven minutes remaining in the second. UMD and BSU went to the third period deadlocked at one. 
 
In the third, the game would open up. Neither team would commit a penalty and UMD would strike with 9:50 left to play. After receiving a pass from Olson at the Bemidji blue line, Biondi walked through the slot and beat the Beavers goaltender high blocker side. The goal is Biondi's second point of the season and third career goal at UMD. With two minutes left to play, Bemidji attempted to pull their goalie. However, hard work by Tanner Laderoute and Jesse Jacques kept the puck in the Bemidji zone and preserved the win for Minnesota Duluth. 
 
Up Next
Next weekend will be the 2021 Ice Breaker tournament in Duluth. The Bulldogs will host No. 3 Michigan on Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:37 PM in Duluth. They will then play either No. 1 Minnesota State-Mankato or No. 11 Providence College on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7:37 PM.