The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team finished out the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off with a 4-1 win over Air Force. After an early tie score, UMD slowly  but surely pulled away. 

The Bulldogs took the first penalty of the game and the Falcons converted on the ensuing power play. UMD wasn't going to sit back however. Fifteen seconds after the puck was dropped again, Carter Loney skated the puck behind the net, taking a backhanded shot. He caught his own rebound on the front of his stick and tapped it home. 

It was eerily even after the first period, with a 1-1 score and 11 shots on goal from each team. 

The second period was dominated by penalties. The Bulldogs took a bench minor early, but it was followed by two AF infractions. UMD was assessed another penalty with five minutes left, but it wasn't until the Falcons went to the box one last time that scoring re-opened. 

With five seconds on the clock, Ben Steeves scored his eighth man-advantage goal of the season. He moved within one goal of leading NCAA men's hockey in power play goals.

Heading into the final frame, the Bulldogs were determined to not only keep their lead, but extend it. In the end, they did just that.

Sophomore Luke Johnson returned to the line up today and helped his team shut down the Falcons with his first goal of the season. There was some commotion behind the net and freshman Anthony Menghini used his backhand to toss the puck to a waiting Johnson. He wasted no time and fired from short range. 

With four and a half minutes left, AF pulled its goalie. They were behind by two and desperate for an offensive spark. UMD entertained them for a little while, but ultimately, Steeves skated in and scored his second of the game. His last-second goal punctuated the Bulldogs' victory. 

Goaltender Zach Stejskal ended the game with 33 saves and a .971 save percentage. 

UMD returns next weekend for another 4 p.m. start on Saturday, December 6, this time with an exhibition game at St. Thomas.