The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team looks to win the season series versus the University of Nebraska Omaha this weekend.

 

LAST TIME OUT The two last clashed in Duluth, splitting the series. UMD won the first night 4-2, with goals from all of the available captains and scoring leader Ben Steeves. The next night, however, the teams entered overtime locked at zero. UNO pulled out the win in extra time, with a goal from team goal leader Jack Randl. 

 

NCHC OUTLOOK The Bulldogs are coming off of a five point weekend, with two wins over Miami University. UMD remains sixth (20)  in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, with UNO five points back (15). This weekend could close the gap between the Bulldogs and the third place. Western Michigan University (22), Colorado College (23), and Denver University (23) are all within reach. Additionally, UMD is scheduled to take on DU next weekend.  

 

STANDOUT SPECIAL TEAMS UMD has successfully killed off its past 25 penalties, last giving up a  power play goal in the first period against Air Force. This includes last Saturday's five minute major for kneeing. The Bulldogs are second in the NCHC in penalty kill percentage, behind WMU. On the man advantage, UMD ranks first in the conference and third in the NCAA. Steeves has been the key to the Bulldog power play's success. He's tied for first nationally in power play goals, scoring his 11th on Saturday versus MU.

 

STEEVES FOR HOBEY Steeves has caught national attention for his performance this season and was recently announced as UMD's Hobey Baker Memorial Award Nominee. He's been at the top in power play scoring all season, but his five point weekend rocketed Steeves into other rankings. He leads in goals per game (.84) and is tied for third in game winning goals (5). 

 

FIRST HAT TRICK OF THE SEASON  Steeves' hat trick last Friday was the team's first of the 2023-24 season. The last three goal performance in program history also belonged to Steeves, when  UMD beat St. Cloud 364 days prior. The sophomore squeaked in just before the year mark, adding his third career hat trick. 

 

GOALTENDING TANDEM Senior Zach Stejskal (.914) and Fifth Year Matthew Thiessen (.904) have split time between the pipes this season. Stejskal has backstopped UMD in six more games, 16 total. He earned all six starts in December, after Thiessen had six the month before. Last weekend, Stejskal was in net for both games versus the RedHawks. The series prior, Thiessen faced WMU.  

NEW LINE, OLD CHEMISTRY The 15-16-6 line debuted for the first time last weekend and had an immediate impact on the series. The trio of Steeves, Quinn Olson, and Luke Loheit combined for five goals and six assists in the two games. After Friday's game, Loheit said "I think [Olson] and I have obviously had chemistry for however many years of being together and playing with each other in practice. [Steeves] obviously, playing with him last year, we got some chemistry there. I think that's the big thing, we know where each other are going to be and kind of sense it off each other."