The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team is set to take on Miami University for one last National Collegiate Hockey Conference series in 2023.
IN RECENT HISTORY The teams have been evenly matched the past couple of seasons. In their last two series against one another, UMD and MU have split each. Last season, the Bulldogs opened the series with three goals in a row from current players Luke Loheit, Darian Gotz, and Owen Gallatin. The RedHawks answered with two of their own in the third period, but couldn't overcome the early UMD lead. However, for the second series against MU in a row, the Bulldogs dropped the second game. The last time the teams faced off in the last series before winter break was December 6 & 7, 2019, when UMD swept the RedHawks. Previous to a January 15, 2022 tie, the Bulldogs had won eight consecutive games over MU.
SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS The overwhelming standout for the RedHawks this season is Matthew Barbolini, who leads MU in all three scoring categories (8-10-18). Two weekends ago, against Mercyhurst, Barbolini scored three goals in two games (3-1-4). MU struggled in November, losing seven out of their eight games. They ended the month with a 2-0 win over Mercyhurst. After a weekend off, the RedHawks series versus the Bulldogs will be the team's return to NCHC action before the winter break.
NCHC OUTLOOK MU was selected eighth in the NCHC Preseason Poll and currently sits last in the conference with a 0-6-0 record. UMD picked up their first conference points this past weekend, collecting three in Friday's win over Omaha and one in Saturday's overtime loss. The Bulldogs are currently seventh in the conference and have the potential to earn six points this weekend, which would tie them with fourth place (Western Michigan) currently. The RedHawks are still on the hunt for their first conference points this season.
BETWEEN THE PIPES Senior Zach Stejskal was in net for UMD for both games against Omaha. He made a total of 39 saves last weekend, allowing only three goals and bringing the Bulldogs to overtime in a scoreless game Saturday night. Those starts came after seven consecutive starts for fifth-year Matthew Thiessen. The goaltenders have each played eight games this season, sharing duties as the Bulldogs backstop. For MU, however, graduate student Logan Neaton has been the clear starter this season. starting thirteen out of sixteen games for the RedHawks. Neaton got his first collegiate shutout in MU's last game, a 2-0 win.
POWER PLAY POWERHOUSE While UMD was unable to find the back of the net on the power play last weekend, they still remain one of the nation's top power play teams. They lead the NCHC in power play percentage (.304) and are one of three teams nationally to have over a .300 PPG. The Bulldogs fall behind only Princeton (.333) and Michigan (.315). UMD is tied for fourth with Northern Michigan in total power play goals (17), following Boston University (18), Arizona State (18), and Michigan (23). Sophomore Ben Steeves is one of six players tied for most power play goals (6). The leaders also include NCHC rival Denver's Jack Devine.
50...100...GAMES PLAYED Several members of the sophomore class are hovering around the 50-game milestone going into winter break. Steeves hit the mark last Saturday, while Cole Spicer (47 GP) and Kyle Bettens (48 GP). Goaltender Thiessen needs two more games under his belt to hit the 50-game milestone. Senior Blake Biondi sits at 99 games played going into this weekend and is set to join classmate Gotz (113 GP) in the 100-game club.
