It's three games over five days for the University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team when the Bulldogs host the University of Alaska Fairbanks in a non-conference Friday-Saturday series at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn. The first series between the programs in three seasons will get underway Friday at 7:07 p.m. before concluding Saturday at 6:07 p.m.
FRANCIS RELEASES STATEMENT ON CANCER FIGHT: Senior defenseman Will Francis released a statement publically Thursday to announce is he is currently fighting a return of leukemia.
A native of St. Paul, Minn., Francis, who missed last season due to his first go-round with cancer, released the below statement:
Bulldog Country,
In late October after a routine check up and further testing, I unfortunately had a relapse of my leukemia. This was shocking given how I was progressing throughout the fall and I had no symptoms. The disease was very minimal and I am currently getting treatments now outside of Minnesota. I plan to be back with the team and on campus in February Thank you for your continued support!
#WillPower
Thank you, Will Francis
UMD Men's Hockey
THE SERIES:The Bulldogs are a perfect 6-0 all-time against Alaska Fairbanks, a program that UMD first met back on Oct. 26, 1984, a 6-3 win for the maroon and gold.
Just four currently rostered players have skated against the Nanooks, and it happened back during the 2021-22 season at AMSOIL Arena, which doubles as the last series the two programs hit the ice together in.. The Nov. 27-28, 2021 series was a sweep by the Bulldogs by scores of 1-0 and 5-1.
Carter Looney (1g, 1a) and Owen Gallatin (2a) each notched two points in that series in two games played, while Dominic James had an assist in one game played. Will Francis didn't get on the scoresheet, but did suit up for both games.
EXTRA BULLDOGS VS NANOOKS: Alaska's 11 shots in the game on Nov. 26, 2021 is the lowest number of shots any team has taken on UMD in the last four seasons.
–Alaska Fairbanks, has been an independent since the 2021-22 season. Here are the Bulldogs record against current independents:
UMD vs Current Independents
Alaska Fairbanks...All-Time 6-0-0...2-0 since becoming independent in 2021-22
Alaska-Anchorage...All-Time 45-20-12...N/A since becoming independent in 2022-23
Lindenwood...N/A All-Time...Independent since 2022-23
LIU...N/A All-Time...Independent since 2020-21
Stonehill...2-0 All-Time...Independent since 2022-23
LAST TIME OUT: UMD defeated Bemidji State Univerity in Bemidji Tuesday 4-2 inside the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minn. The triumph moved 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NOTES FROM THE BSU GAME: 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.
--Notably, UMD was not only without Max Plante and Adam Kleber, but also rookie goaltender Adam Gajan and senior forward Joe Molenaar.
--UMD moved to 29-17-5 all-time against BSU, and is unbeaten against the Beavers in eight of its last nine games.
STREAKING ON: Two players now have three-game scoring streaks after getting on the scoresheet against Bemidji State on Tuesday.
Zam Plante, (1g, 3a) and Aiden Dubinsky (1g, 2a) both have notched points in their last three games.
Both streaks are season highs for each player.
Dominic James leads the Bulldogs with four power play goals the third most in the NCHC and 11th most in the country. Anthony Menghini ranks sixth in the conference with three, while Jayson Shaugabay owns two.
KLEBER AND PLANTE NAMED TO 2025 U.S. NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM, ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS: Freshmen duo Adam Kleber and Max Plante were named to the 2025 U.S. National Junior Team roster. The pair are two of 25 players currently representing the United States in the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Ottawa, Canada.
The pair will miss UMD's series against Alaska Fairbanks, instead facing off in the semifinals Saturday afternoon in Ottawa at 3:30 p.m.
Currently, through four games, Plante has two points (1g, 1a) and is +2. Kleber has also suited up for four games, has one assist and is now +4.
