The University of Minnesota Duluth returns after a week off the face off against the University of Nebraska Omaha. UMD continues their hunt for their first National Collegiate Hockey Conference points this season, while UNO also looks to improve their conference record.
IN RECENT HISTORY During the 2022-23 season, the Bulldogs and Mavericks played four times. The season series ended 1-3 for UMD. In those four games, several current Bulldogs' names were logged on the scoresheet. Junior Owen Gallatin averaged a point per game against UNO last season (1-3-4). Sophomore Ben Steeves also posted a two goal performance on November 12, 2022.
SCOUTING THE MAVERICKS UNO returned 18 players and added eight to their roster for the 2023-24 season. Out of the eight new players, five are transfers. Three of their top five scorers from last season (Jack Randl, Matt Miller, and Ty Mueller) were among the returners. As a junior, Mueller currently leads the Mavericks in goals (5) and points (10). Sophomore and Elko, Minnesota-native Griffin Ludtke leads his team in assists (6), following a quiet freshman season (14 GP, 0-0-0).
NCHC OUTLOOK Both UNO and UMD are looking to improve their conference records this weekend. The Mavericks are 2-2-0 through their first NCHC matchups. They split series with No. 11 Western Michigan, winning 3-2 in overtime, and No. 2/3 Denver. The Bulldogs remain one of two NCHC teams without conference points, along with Miami. UNO sits just ahead of UMD with 5 points. A weekend sweep in regulation would earn the Bulldogs a vital 6 points and move them ahead in the standings.
BETWEEN THE PIPES Fifth-year Matthew Thiessen has started the past seven games for UMD, including six games in November. Thiessen earned NCHC Goaltender of the Week at the beginning of his starting stint. During his starting run, he hit the 1,000 career save mark (currently 1,090). This stats spans both his time at Maine and UMD. Senior Zach Stejskal has appeared in six games, earning NCHC Goaltender of the Week twice in the early weeks of the season. Both veteran netminders have proved to be viable options for the Bulldogs and could appear in net as the team tries to turn things around. The Mavericks have also seen a split in the net. Slovakian sophomore Simon Latkoczy has made eight starts for them this season, posting 2.70 goals allowed per game and a .903 save percentage. He's joined by graduate student transfer Seth Eisle, who joins UNO after four seasons at Lake Superior State. Eisle has appeared in five games.
POWER PLAY POWERHOUSE UMD continues outplay teams with the odd-man advantage. The Bulldogs currently stand alone with the best power play percentage (.340) in the NCAA. They're followed by Michigan (.328), Northern Michigan (.293), and Princeton (.292). The closest NCHC team is Denver, ranked 12th nationally with a .242 PP percentage. UMD sophomore Ben Steeves has been tied with Northern Michigan's (CCHA) Tanner Latsch for most power play goals (6) in the NCAA for the past month. The two are now joined by Denver's (NCHC) Jack Devine and Boston College's (Hockey East) Cutter Gauthier.
THANKFUL FOR A RESET The Bulldogs had last weekend off, with no games during the long holiday weekend. While other teams played in the days leading up to and/or following Thanksgiving, UMD had a break from tough matchups to regroup.
HOME ICE HELP The majority of the Bulldogs' wins this season have come at AMSOIL Arena this season, as well as their three ties. UMD's 3-3 tie against in-state rival Minnesota came on home ice and their series sweep against Bemidji State was started with a 4-0 shutout at AMSOIL.
