The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team elevated its game plan at elevation Saturday night at Ed Robson Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo., handing No. 18/19 Colorado College a 4-1 loss to earn the National Collegiate Hockey Conference series split.
The Bulldogs never trailed in the contest, scoring in each period to pile on to their lead. Max Plante opened up the scoring with a power play goal late in the first, loading a pass from Jayson Shaugabay in the slot to beat Tiger goaltender Kaidan Mbereko.
Goal that started it all, Max Plante's PP goal
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— UMD Men's Hockey (@umdmenshockey.bsky.social) January 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
CC answered 42 seconds later on a goal from Gleb Veremyev, and after 20 minutes of action, the game was knotted up at 1-1.
UMD took the lead for good at 10:17 of the second period when Blake Bechen tipped a shot from Aiden Dubinsky past Mbereko. The Bulldogs followed that up with their second power play goal of the night on another M. Plante and Shaugabay connection, this time it was Plante that found Shaugabay for a one time rocket and 3-1 lead at the 17:22 mark.
The Bulldogs iced any chance of a CC comeback with an even strength goal from Anthony Menghini with just 2:01 left in the third period, and from there, the Bulldogs win was on – their third in four games.
Klayton Knapp was superb in his fourth collegiate win, and made 28 saves on 29 Tiger shots on goal. The Bulldogs went 2-of-6 on their power play, while CC was held scoreless in three attempts. Mbereko had 20 saves for the Tigers, who fell to 11-10-1 overall and 5-6-1 in league play.
The Bulldogs (9-12-1, 5-7-0) head back home to Duluth where they will host the University of Denver next weekend at AMSOIL Arena. The Friday-Saturday series will get underway Friday night at 7:07 p.m.
BULLDOG NOTES: UMD has won three of its last four games against nationally ranked teams … Max Plante, Jayson Shaugabay and Anthony Menghini each had two points Saturday night on a goal and assist apiece … Plante led all UMD scorers in the series with three points (1g, 2a) … Plante has notched a point in his last six games for the Bulldogs, compiling five goals and four assists for nine points … three of those games have been multiple point efforts … Plante has scored at least a goal in five of his last six skates … for a second time this season, UMD blocked 20 shots, tying its season-high … five of the six goals scored by UMD in the series were scored by freshmen.
