The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team returns from winter break to participate in the 3rd Annual Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off. UMD is set to play Northeastern at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28. The results of that game will determine if the Bulldogs take on Air Force or Wisconsin the following day, Friday, December 29, at 4:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

BULLDOG BASICS

Half-Season Highlights  Through early December, sophomore standout Ben Steeves has led the team in goals (11) and points (17). Alternate captain Quinn Olson tops the team in assists (11). New players made an impact on and off the ice, including freshman Aaron Pionk (1-9-10). Graduate transfer Connor McMenamin (3-5-8) stepped up in late October, joining the captaincy group as a third alternate captain. The Bulldogs swept Bemidji State that month as well, starting with a 4-0 shutout at home. When they took rival Minnesota to the shootout two weekends later, it only took two UMD shooters to close out the game. The Bulldogs fought for their first conference points in December, with wins over Omaha and Miami.

Power Play Powerhouse  UMD has consistently been a leader in power play scoring nationwide this season. Currently, the Bulldogs are second in power play percentage (.305). Only Michigan has a higher percentage (0.315). Ben Steeves is second in the NCAA in individual power play goals (7), behind Arizona State's Matthew Kopperud (9).

Between the Pipes  UMD has split netminding duties this season between two veterans, fifth-year Matthew Thiessen (.898) and senior Zach Stejskal (.908). The goalies have both been named NCHC Goaltender of the Week this season. Both continue to be options for the Bulldogs, although Stejskal has started the last four games. Stejskal earned his first shutout against Bemidji State.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
 

NORTHEASTERN

The Huskies enter the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off trending upwards. NU won their last game before winter break (4-1, vs. Brown) and split the prior weekend with Hockey East opponent No. 1 Boston College.

In (Not So) Recent History  As of December 27th, It will officially have been 24 seasons since the Bulldogs and Huskies have faced off. In that 1999 match up, NU managed to come out on top (6-5). On that 1999-2000 UMD roster? Current Bulldog goaltender coach, Brant Nicklin.

Short-Handed Scoring  The Huskies lead the NCAA in short-handed goals (6). Among players, NU point-leader Alex Campbell is tied for second in the nation with 2 short-handed goals.

Between the Pipes  Freshman netminder Cameron Whitehead has started 13 games for the Huskies. In his first game, he earned a 7-0 shutout against Stonehill. The 128th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft spent the two previous seasons in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars.

AIR FORCE

The Falcons went into the break following a series split with Bentley. The two series prior were also divided (Canisius, 0-1-1; Mercyhurst, 1-1-0).

In Recent History UMD last took on AF in the 2018 NCAA West Regional Final. The Bulldogs won 2-1 and went on to claim the NCAA Title at the Xcel Energy Center. Current Bulldog captains Luke Loheit (C) and Quinn Olson (A) wouldn't join the team for another two seasons.  

Faceoff Finesse AF is no joke on the dot, ranking third out of all teams in faceoff percentage (0.554). Only Omaha (0.557) and Quinnipiac (0.555) surpass the Falcons in draws.

Between the Pipes Junior Guy Blessing has started all 18 games for the Falcons this season. Following a sophomore season cut short by injury, Blessing has earned his role as starter, including a 4-0 shutout over Army.

WISCONSIN

The Badgers are the only team with prior experience in the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off. In 2021, UW won the final in the shootout over Providence. Last year, they lost 3-1 to Clarkson in the final. Going into their third appearance, the Badgers are on a five-game win streak, defeating Alaska Anchorage, Ohio State, and Penn State.

In Recent History  Out of their potential opponents, the Bulldogs have played the Badgers most recently. The Midwest teams met in October 2022 for a weekend series; UW won both games by three goals.

Defense Dominates  This season, the Badgers have the fewest goals against on average (1.72). In part, that's due to senior defensemen Daniel Laatsch and Anthony Kehrer, tied in blocked shots (25).

Between the Pipes  Still, UW faces an average of 26.4 shots per game. Another senior, goaltender Kyle McClellan, has back-stopped the Badgers in all but two games this season. He started the season with two shutouts versus Augustana and has only let in four goals once (Michigan, 5-4 W).