The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Bulldog men’s hockey is set to return Tuesday with a 12:05 start against the University of Nebraska - Omaha.

The Bulldogs weren’t supposed to see a puck drop until their Wednesday matchup against Denver, but the NCHC was forced to change the conference’s schedule after a member of Colorado College’s hockey program tested positive for COVID-19. 

The first month of men’s hockey within the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) will see strictly in-conference play under the conference’s pod system hosted in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 22-10-2 overall — and 17-5-2 conference — record in the 2019-20 season and a five-game winning streak.

Concerns over the coronavirus cancelled NCHC and NCAA playoffs last year following the conclusion of UMD’s regular season. This put a halt on the Bulldog’s hopes to compete for their third straight NCAA championship.

The Bulldogs appear to have an edge on Omaha — U.S. College Hockey Online ranked UMD third in the NCAA this week, while Omaha is unranked. The Bulldogs hold a 25-11-3 record against Omaha since Omaha’s integration into NCAA Division I men’s hockey in 1997.

This season will be like no other, as schedules have become tighter than years prior.

The 2019 season saw 35 regular-season matchups for the Bulldogs over 154 days, typically with two games each week. This year, 26 games are currently scheduled across 88 days, with up to four games per week.

UMD Men’s Hockey Head Coach Scott Sandelin is aware of the rapid pace of this year’s schedule, but remains optimistic.

“It’s going to be taxing, but it’s going to be fun for everybody,” Sandelin said in an interview with Fox 21. “They have practice fatigue, they want to get playing.”

Plus, the Bulldogs are operating with a vacancy in the net.

Hunter Shepard holds the NCAA DI record for most consecutive starts in goal. He started 115 games in his tenure with the Bulldogs before signing to play with the Hershey Bears in June.

Shepard’s departure opened the door for three potential goalies: sophomores Ryan Fanti and Zach Stejskal, and redshirt junior Ben Patt. Sandelin said that none of the three have ever tended goal at the DI level.

“I don’t know,” Sandelin said in regards to who will start in goal. “They might all get a chance in the bubble.”

Tuesday’s Bulldog opener marks the first game of the NCHC’s pod format in Omaha, followed by St. Cloud St. vs. Western Michigan that same evening.

According to UMD Athletic Director Josh Berlo, athletes who are in competition are rapid-tested for COVID-19 multiple times per week. Any positive result sends the athlete into immediate isolation until a PCR test is returned.

Athletes within the pod were required to complete a seven day quarantine and take three COVID-19 tests prior to arrival. Participants were also tested again upon arrival to the pod.

All persons essential to the operation of competition will be tested the day of a game.

Testing at the pod is conducted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

While spectators are not currently allowed within the pod, an NCHC partnership with Midco Sports Network ensures all games will be broadcast. They will also be available online with a subscription to NCHC.tv.

A full schedule of all NCHC games in the pod can be found here.