The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team sure knows how to throw a New Year's Eve party.
A winning party, that is, secured by two Bulldog goals in the third period to defeat Bemidji State University 4-2 inside the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minn. The triumph moves UMD to a 1-1 season split with the Beavers, and avenges a 4-3 overtime loss for the Bulldogs to open the season at AMSOIL Arena.
It all started when Jayson Shaugabay picked right back up where he left off in October against the Beavers, burying the puck from the left circle as a UMD power play expired for the 1-0 lead at 15:14 of the first period. The goal – Shaugabay's third against BSU in two games, was assisted by Harper Bentz and Zam Plante.
The Beavers equalized just 2:29 into the second period on a goal from Austin St. Jouppi, but again UMD pulled ahead just three minutes later on a long rebound one-timer from the top of the right circle from Aiden Dubinsky. Dubinsky's fourth of the season was assisted by Jack Smith and Braden Fischer.
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BSU followed that with a power play goal of its own less than a minute later, and after 40 minutes of play, the game was knotted at 2-2.
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But 4:48 into the final frame, UMD broke the tie and would never relent the lead from there. Plante's effort was supreme behind the net, and despite being knocked down, kicked the puck to his stick and found a wide open Owen Gallatin at the dot for the go ahead 3-2 goal.
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The Bulldogs doubled that lead at the 15:44 mark on Harper Bentz's second career goal at the doorstep, to secure UMD's win. Bentz lead all players with a career-best three point effort, with a goal and two assists for three points.
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Klayton Knapp had 26 saves for UMD in just his second career start, which was also the first collegiate win for the rookie goaltender. The Bulldogs outshot BSU 34-28, and went 1-of-3 on its power play. BSU, 1-2 with an extra skater, got 30 stops from netminder Mattias Sholl. The Beavers are now 8-9-3 with the loss.Â
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The Bulldogs (6-10-0) will be right back at it on Friday with a series against the University of Alaska Fairbanks at AMSOIL Arena, its first action of 2025. Game time for Friday is set for 7:07 p.m.
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BULLDOG NOTES: Besides, Harper Bentz career-night (1g, 2a), Zam Plante had a multiple point game with two assists ... Bentz was a healthy scratch against the Beavers in October but has played in 12-straight games for the Bulldogs since Oct. 12 ... Jayson Shaugabay now has four points in two games against BSU this season (3g, 1a) … Shaugabay and Owen Gallatin each have a team-best four points all-time against the Beavers – Gallatin has one goal and three assists … UMD moves to 29-17-5 all-time against BSU, and is unbeaten against the Beavers in eight of its last nine games.
