The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team started their first 2023-24 weekend series tonight against Northern Michigan University. While there were more than double the total goals from UMD's last game, the end result was the same. The teams ended regulation, then overtime, tied 5-5, and the Bulldogs won the shootout. 

UMD now advances to 0-0-2 on the season, officially tying both Michigan Tech (2-2) and Northern Michigan (5-5). The last time the Bulldogs had back-to-back ties was in 2017, versus Bemidji State (Oct. 14, 0-0) and Merrimack (Oct. 20, 5-5). This is also the first time in program history UMD has started the season with consecutive ties.

Tonight's matchup had an interesting start, with an unexpected power play for UMD due to a warm up time violation by NMU. The Bulldogs pressured early, with seven shots in the first two minutes, but came up empty. 

While shots cooled down for a little, UMD continued to attack. The Wildcats found it difficult to exit the defensive and neutral zone, with several Bulldog takeaways.

Thirteen minutes into the game, Ben Steeves opened what would soon turn into a high-scoring affair. He took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play and a clear shot from between the circles, scoring the game's first of six total power play goals. Fifteen seconds later, junior transfer Luke Bast scored his first goal as a Bulldog with a one-timer from the top of the circle.

Two and a half minutes later, Kyle Bettens extended the lead. UMD headed to the locker room after 20 minutes up 3-0.

The second period was a different story. Within the span of five minutes early in the period, NMU answered with three goals, two on the power play. Steeves scored his second of the game late to give the Bulldogs a lead at the end of the period, but control was shifting. The Wildcats not only passed UMD in shots, they outshot the Bulldogs 27-8 in the second. 

The game held at 4-3 in favor of UMD until the middle of the third period, when Tanner Latsch scored NMU's third power play goal of the night and completed his hat trick. Exactly two minutes later, the Wildcats scored again and had their first lead.

The Bulldogs were set on coming back, taking every opportunity to send the puck towards the NMU goal. With three minutes left, freshman Anthony Menghini gets a shot off his own rebound and scores, making it 5-5. 

In overtime, UMD goaltender Zach Stejskal made several solid saves to keep his team in the game. A late penalty against the Bulldogs carried over into extra time, but Stejskal and the penalty killers held on.

Officially tying the game after overtime, the team's continued into the shootout. UMD Alternate Captain Quinn Olson scored in the first round, but was matched in the third round by NMU. The shootout continued, with neither team scoring on their next two attempts. 

Finally, freshman Matthew Perkins sealed the deal, scoring in Round 6 and giving his team the (unofficial) win.  

The Bulldogs look to break the series tie against the Wildcats Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7:07 p.m.