THE MATCHUP This weekend the Bulldogs and RedHawks will renew pleasantries for the first time since Saturday, Feb. 6 of 2021. The 3-1 UMD victory capped off a four-game series between the two sides that saw the Bulldogs take all four matchups. Last season, Minnesota Duluth took all six games from the RedHawks. Additionally, the Bulldogs have won the last seven meetings dating back to Nov. 16 of 2019. The Bulldogs enter the weekend in fourth in the NCHC, while the RedHawks occupy the eighth and final spot in the conference standings.
LAST TIME OUT Minnesota Duluth was slated to play a two-game series at St. Cloud last weekend. However, the series was postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests. Two weeks ago, the Bulldogs dropped a pair of games to the No. 1 ranked Minnesota State Mavericks. Game one of the series saw UMD mount a third-period comeback, but ultimately fall short in overtime in Mankato. The RedHawks enter the weekend after two home losses to Colorado College last weekend. The Tigers posted 5-1 and 4-3 victories to sweep the RedHawks in Oxford, OH.
A FAMILIAR FACE Bulldogs graduate center Casey Gilling is set to face his former team for the first time since transferring this past summer. Gilling transferred to UMD after four years with the RedHawks. Gilling dressed in 131 games for Miami, while posting 26 goals and 51 assists for 77 career points. He also served as an assistant captain for the RedHawks during his senior season. So far this season, the Gaylord, MI native has registered five goals and six assists for 11 points in 18 games.
RYAN IS READY Minnesota Duluth junior goaltender Ryan Fanti enters with a goals against average of 1.61 and a save percentage of .934. Fanti's numbers are good enough for first in the NCHC and sixth in the country for both statistics. Fanti is also tied for the NCHC lead in shutouts with four on the season. Nebraska Omaha's Isaiah Saville also has four.
BULLDOGS PENALTY KILL On the season, the Bulldogs PK unit is clicking at 89.3%, ranking them second in the conference and 15th in the NCAA.
POINTS FROM THE BACK END Minnesota Duluth defenseman Owen Gallatin's ten points on the season ranks him tenth in the NCHC in defenseman scoring. Gallatin also ranks fifth overall in the conference in plus/minus with a +13 rating through 20 games this season. Miami senior defenseman Derek Daschke leads the RedHawks in both assists and points. On the year, Daschke has two goals and 14 assists for 16 points in 20 games. Daschke's 16 points ranks him 11th in the conference amongst forwards and defensemen.
REDHAWKS TEAM DEFENSE Miami is giving up 4.10 goals against per game, which is dead last in the NCHC and 56th in the nation. The RedHawks also have the second worst penalty killing percentage in the conference at 83.3%.
JACQUES STAYS HOT Bulldogs senior forward Jesse Jacques has three goals over his past four games. Jacques has played alongside fifth-year seniors Kobe Roth and Koby Bender the last two weekends.
SUCCESS AGAINST THE HAWKS UMD holds a 26-5-2 all-time record against Miami. The Bulldogs have won the past seven matchups between the two sides. UMD has outscored the RedHawks 31-13 during the seven-game streak. Additionally, Minnesota Duluth has taken 13 of the last 14 meetings with Miami.
NCHC STANDINGS The Bulldogs enter the weekend just one point back of the Denver Pioneers for third spot in the NCHC standings. They also sit just four points back of second place Western Michigan. Valuable points will be up for grabs during the two-game series with the RedHawks.
SUPER SWEDE Miami sophomore goaltender Ludvig Persson is the probable starter for the RedHawks this weekend. So far this season, Persson has appeared in 16 games, while posting a 3.81 goals against average and a .882 save percentage. During his freshman season in 2020-21, Persson earned All-NCHC Second Team honors, while also being named to the NCHC's All-Rookie team. His freshman season included a save percentage of .925 and a goals against average of 2.67.
RUN IT BACK Minnesota Duluth and Miami will meet one another again this season in late February in Oxford, OH. The Bulldogs made the trip to Ohio last season and used 2-1 and 6-3 victories to sweep the RedHawks.
MOVING UP Following their series postponement with No. 5 St. Cloud State this past weekend, the University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team has moved up to No. 7 in the most recent USCHO.com National Poll. UMD had previously entered last week at the No. 8 team in the website's poll.
NCHC ON TOP The Bulldogs are again joined by five other National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) teams in this weeks poll. No. 3 Western Michigan, No. 5 St. Cloud, No. 6 Denver, No. 10 North Dakota, and No. 15 Omaha all join Minnesota Duluth in the national rankings.
SAVAGE UP FRONT Miami freshman forward Red Savage joined UMD's Dominic James and Wyatt Kaiser on the 2022 U.S. World Junior team in Edmonton, AB. On the season, Savage has managed three goals and seven assists for ten points in 19 games with the RedHawks.
LOOKING TO GET BACK ON TRACK The Bulldogs posted a 1-4 record through the month of December after a 5-2-1 November mark. So far this month Minnesota Duluth is 0-1 after their 3-0 loss to No. 1 Minnesota State on January 1.
