Bulldogs flex their muscle over Colorado College
UMD sophomore Kobe Roth (10) fights for the puck against Mason Bergh (15). Photo courtesy: UMD Athletics
The Bulldogs came in to tonight’s game with the nation’s current longest winning streak with six and extended it versus the Colorado College Tigers with a 3-0 victory.
“I thought we got some big penalty kills,” Head Coach Scott Sandelin said. “It kept the momentum from shifting, but they certainly had some chances.”
Minnesota Duluth got off to a good start. At 8:32 in the first period, sophomore forward Justin Richards scoring his second goal of the season off the tipped shot by sophomore defenseman Matt Anderson.
The Bulldogs were dominant for most parts of the first period. With plenty of scoring opportunities in the period, including Freshman Jackson Cates missing an open shot right in front of the net off a tipped shot with 6:37 left in the period.
They also out-shot the Tigers, in shots-on-goal, 12 to 5 in the period.
The second period was more of the same for Minnesota Duluth.
The Bulldogs spent most of the period on the Tiger’s side of the ice and getting quality shot opportunities throughout the period.
7:31 into the second period, assistant captain Nick Wolff scored the second goal for the Bulldogs with a wrist shot from near the blue line on the assist from All-American Scott Perunovich.
“Scott [Sandelin] was looking for a play around the net,” Wolff said, “luckily it went in.”
The defense also came to play, Minnesota Duluth only allowed 14 shots-on-goal through the first two periods. They were not allowing any quality scoring chances for Colorado College.
The Bulldogs put their foot down in the third period by stifling the Tiger’s on both ends of the ice. Senior captain Parker Mackay added to the scoring by netting his fifth goal of the season during the power play. After probing the defense, Mackay went top shelf on a wrist shot over Colorado College goalie Alex Leclerc.
Minnesota Duluth goalie Hunter Shepard was great in the game as well, finishing with 18 saves.
Shepard also tied Alex Stalock’s program record with his ninth career shut out.
Since giving up seven goals against Minnesota, Shepard has been back to his usual self by allowing two or fewer goals during their seven game win streak.
“This last weekend I went home and got in some deer hunting Friday and Saturday,” Shepard said. “I came back this week and feel really good. Mentally and physically just getting away from the rink sometimes, you come back and feel good.”
The Bulldogs will return to AMSOil tomorrow for the second game of the series against Colorado College at 7 p.m.