THE MATCHUP This weekend, No. 1 Minnesota Duluth will make the relatively short trip east to Marquette, MI for a non-conference series with (RV) Northern Michigan University. It'll be the first time the two sides have met since January of 2016. UMD holds a recent advantage over the Wildcats, taking four of their last five meetings. All-time, the Bulldogs also own a 36-34-4 record against Northern Michigan. With both teams receiving national recognition in the polls, the series should be a good one.
LAST TIME OUT Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend fresh off a sweep of Alaska Fairbanks. On Friday evening in game one, the Bulldogs used three third period goals to pull away from the Nanooks en route to a 5-1 win. An overtime goal from senior captain Noah Cates lifted UMD to a 1-0 overtime victory in game two.
CAPTAIN STEPS UP UMD senior captain Noah Cates noted two game-winning goals this past weekend against the Nanooks. On the season, Cates has tallied five goals and six assists for 11 points in 14 games. His 11 points on the season tie him with Blake Biondi for the team lead.
WHAT FANT HE DO UMD junior goaltender was named both the NCHC's Goaltender of the Week and Month, earlier this week. This past weekend against Alaska Fairbanks, Fanti tallied back-to-back wins, while securing 29 saves on 30 total shots during the two-game series. Fanti's weekend performance included a goals against average of 1.99 and a save percentage of .966%. For the month of November, Fanti started all eight games for the Bulldogs, while posting a 5-2-1 record with four shutouts. During the eight game stretch, Fanti tallied a save percentage of .957 and a goals against average of 1.00, ranking him top five in the nation in both statistics. Additionally, Fanti secured back-to-back-to-back shutouts from Nov. 6 to Nov. 13. He became the first Minnesota Duluth netminder to notch three-consecutive shutouts since Hunter Shepard during the 2017-18 season. On the season, Fanti holds a 9-2-1 overall record, with a save percentage of 1.25 and a goals against average of .946.
ONE GOAL AGAINST During their two-game series with Alaska Fairbanks, the Bulldogs gave up just one goal to the Nanooks. On the season, UMD is giving up an average of just 1.57 goals per game, which ranks first in the NCHC and fifth in the entire nation.
WILDCATS CAN SCORE Though they are giving up an average of 3.73 goals per game, which ranks them 50th in the nation, Northern Michigan is scoring an impressive 4.07 goals per game. When it comes to this stat, the Wildcats are first in the CCHA and fourth in the NCAA.
STAY OUT OF THE BOX The Wildcats power play unit is clicking at 26.6%, which is good enough for eighth in the nation.
UMD POWER PLAY The Bulldogs continue to struggle with the man-advantage, only converting at a rate of 16.3%, which ranks last in the NCHC and 37th in the NCAA.
BALANCED SCORING The Bulldogs goal scoring this season has been by committee. When it comes to the NCHC, Minnesota Duluth does not have a skater in the top 20 for points. However, they do have four scorers within the top 30 by way of Blake Biondi, Noah Cates, Kobe Roth, and Quinn Olson.
MILESTONE WATCH Friday evening's game at Northern Michigan will be Koby Bender's 100th career game. Bender is a two-time national champion with the Bulldogs and currently sits with 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 career points.
STARS AND STRIPES USA Hockey announced on Tuesday afternoon that three Bulldogs have been invited to the 2022 U.S. World Junior Camp. Wyatt Kaiser, Connor Kelley, and Dominc James will represent Minnesota Duluth and try to earn a spot on the final 25-player roster. Camp will begin on Sunday, Dec. 12, in Plymouth, MI with the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship taking place in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, from Dec. 26 2021-Jan. 5, 2022. It's the second time that Kelley and Kaiser will be making the trip to Plymouth, MI for a USA Hockey event. This past summer, both UMD defenseman suited up in the 2021 U.S. World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.
NORTHERN'S PENALTY KILL The Wildcats have shown they can score, but their penalty kill unit is only clicking at 75.0%, which ranks second last in the CCHA and 47th in the nation.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS So far this season, the Bulldogs hold a 7-1-0 record against teams from outside of the NCHC. UMD will meet Northern this weekend, then wrap-up their non-conference schedule in late December with a home-and-home with Minnesota State, Mankato.
TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN Following their home sweep of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Minnesota Duluth has earned a No. 1 national ranking, USCHO.com announced on Monday Morning. It's the first time since October 7, 2019 that Minnesota Duluth has held a No. 1 overall ranking.
NORTHERN'S FIREPOWER Northern Michigan's AJ Vanderbeck and Michael Colella both ranked in the top six nationally in goals on the season. Vanderbeck sits with 12, while Colella has found the back of the net 11 times this season. Vanderbeck and Colella sit one and two in the CCHA in goal scoring. Additionally, Vanderbeck's five power play goals is good enough for fifth most in the nation.
WATCH FOR CRONE NMU's Hank Crone has noted 21 points so far this season, ranking him second in the CCHA. Crone is a transfer from the University of Denver.
