The No. 18 University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team takes on the No. 4 University of North Dakota in a two-game home series this weekend. The Bulldogs second rivalry series in a row and first National Collegiate Hockey Conference matchup of the season begins at 7:07 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10 and 6:07 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
LAST TIME OUT Last season, the teams split a series in Grand Forks, ND. On Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, the Fighting Hawks emerged on top in a 4-2 loss for the Bulldogs. Current UMD sophomore Kyle Bettens scored both of the Bulldogs' goals, a career-high performance. The next night, the Bulldogs won in a more reserved 2-1 game, with a game winning goal from the 2023-24 captain, Luke Loheit.
FIRST TIME BACK UMD forward and junior transfer Luke Bast will face off against his former team for the first time this weekend. In two seasons with the Fighting Hawks, Bast played in 12 games, tallying a goal (PPG) and an assist in his sophomore season. Through his first 9 games with the Bulldogs, Bast has already surpassed his performance at UND, scoring two PPG goals. He is one of two transfers this season, alongside Connor McMenamin (Penn State).
POWER PLAY POWERHOUSE UMD continues to stand out on the power play, ranking second nationally in power play goals (14) and third in power play percentage (.368) so far this season. Only Michigan (B1G) ranks higher in both categories (17, .378), with Princeton (ECAC) coming in second in PP percentage (.375). Five of the Bulldogs 12 power play goals have come from sophomore Ben Steeves. He is tied for first nationally in PPG with Northern Michigan's (NCHC) Tanner Latsch (6), after scoring another Saturday night.
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING HAWKS UND is led in points (10) and goals (6) this season by sophomore Blake Jackson, the 2022-23 NCHC Rookie of the Year. Jackson led his team last year in points as well (42) and was a top-5 freshman in the NCAA. He's followed by fifth-year Garrett Pyke (8), senior Riese Gaber (7), and fellow sophomore Owen McLaughlin (7). Freshman defenseman leads the Fighting Hawks in blocks (18).
SHORTHANDED OPPORTUNITIES UND are tied for most shorthanded goals in the NCAA (3) with Alaska Fairbanks (Independent), Holy Cross (AHA), and Michigan State (B1G). Fighting Hawks grad student Hunter Johannes leads the NCAA with 2 SHG so far this season. While the Bulldogs have dominated on the power play, they'll have to keep a close eye on potential breaks the other way this weekend.
BETWEEN THE PIPES Senior Zach Stejskal and fifth-year Matthew Thiessen have continued to share the crease for the Bulldogs. Last weekend, Stejskal and Thiessen each took a turn in net. Thiessen relieved Stejskal during the third period Friday night and returned Saturday's overtime tie and shootout win. For UND, only one goaltender has seen time in net this season. Senior Ludvig Persson has appeared in all eight of the Fighting Hawks' games, posting a .916 SV%. Last Saturday, he had his highest save performance of the season so far (29) against No. 9 Boston University.
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS Will Power (in recognition of Will Francis) Sauce Hockey shirts, hats, and sweatshirts will be sold on the concourse in support of Will. UMD Athletics partner Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union will match all sales.
The Annual Teddy Bear Toss will be held during the first intermission on Friday night. The stuffed animals will then be donated to the local Salvation Army.
The UMD Athletics Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council will be promoting their clothing drive at both games this weekend.
Saturday is the Annual Military Appreciation Night and will feature a Minnesota Warriors veteran hockey game in the afternoon at AMSOIL Arena followed by their participation in the pregame flag ceremony along with recognitions throughout the game.
