The No. 14 University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team kicked off their home-and-home series against Bemidji State University at AMSOIL Arena. 

Senior goaltender Zach Stejskal secured his first collegiate shutout with 23 saves against BSU. 

The Bulldogs brought the scoring early in front of the home crowd. Three different UMD players scored power play goals in the first period, bringing the team's nation-leading total total to ten. 

Freshman Matthew Perkins opened the scoring with his first collegiate goal. Fellow freshman Aaron Pionk sent the puck towards the net from the point, which Blake Biondi bounced to Perkins. The rookie found his way past the overextended goaltender and sent the puck into the back of the net.

Another newcomer, transfer student Luke Bast, added to the point total. Biondi had his back to the net and slid the puck across the goal crease for a flying Bast to tap in. 

To close out the first period power play scoring, Pionk shot the puck once again from the point. This time, there was no redirection needed and the puck sailed through cleanly. 

Biondi assisted on all three of the opening period's goals, with goal scorers Perkins and Pionk also picking up assists.

In the second period, the Bulldogs were forced on the penalty kill early. The Beavers were determined to get on the scoresheet, but either found Stejskal's blocker or the post.

After their early rush, BSU had a quiet second period. The Bulldogs ended the period with eleven shots, their most in a single-period tonight, but the score stayed 3-0. 

The final period began with some excitement, Anthony Menghini breaking away right after the penalty kill ended. He ran out of room to make a move and was stopped, but energy was up.

The Bulldogs were back in the box early in the period, taking their eighth penalty of the night. Pionk and Carter Loney made solid blocks to keep the Beavers scrambling. 

Twelve minutes into the third, Cole Spicer scored UMD's lone even strength goal. Quinn Olson had a breakaway alongside Luke Loheit. He played the puck back to a speeding Spicer, who took advantage of the preoccupied goaltender. 

UMD plays against BSU again Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6:07 p.m. in Bemidji, in their first road game of the season.