UMD Freshman Kyle Bettens charges towards the goal to make a play at Amsoil Arena. Photo by Grant Jones

The University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team kicked off their season with two games this past weekend. Bemidji State University was the first matchup on Saturday at Amsoil Arena.

Saturday

First Period

The game started off fast with checks flying right from the puck drop. Bemidji’s Carter Randklev got the scoring going with a pass from Reilly Funk at just the 1:41 mark. This put a pretty silent vibe into Amsoil Arena.

Just a minute later, UMD headed to the penalty box to play a man down for two minutes. Another test early for the Bulldogs. They were fortunately able to kill this power play.

The period continued at a high pace with UMD having many chances throughout. Their first couple shots were solid looks on the breakaway but just couldn't find the back of the net. That was until UMD’s Jayson Shaugabay scored with just two seconds left in the first period. The pass came from two freshmen Bulldogs, brothers Max and Zam Plante.

After one, UMD was tied 1-1 with BSU. The Bulldogs led the Beavers in shots, 10-9.

Freshmen and brothers Zam and Max Plante celebrate a Bulldog goal at Amsoil Arena. Photo by Grant Jones

Second Period

Bemidji got the first goal of the period again when senior forward Donte Lawson scored for the Beavers just three minutes in. UMD was looking to respond as they were now trailing 1-2.

Thankfully, UMD’s Jayson Shaugabay was up for the challenge again. He tallied his second goal for the Bulldogs with a pass from Ty Hanson and Max Plante. This goal got the home crowd back into the game, especially the students.

After the two goals, the period stayed pretty even the rest of the way. Many good shots exchanged between the two teams but at the 17:33 mark, Bemidji’s Jere Vaisanen was able to get a shot past the glove of UMD goalie Zach Sandy.

UMD kept the pressure to end the period with a hard shot from Adam Kleber that rang the post, but couldn't quite light the lamp.

After two, UMD: 2, BSU: 3. The Bulldogs led the Beavers in shots, 21-18
Third Period

UMD was looking for a spark to get their offense going again. Back and forth action throughout the period, but the puck was staying out of the net for both teams. Many players were letting chirps fly and spewing discouraging words towards their opponents, including UMD’s Matthew Perkins and BSU’s Adam Flammang who were jawing at each other for a majority of the game.

At around the 10 minute mark, Bemidji State’s starting goalie Mattias Sholl got hurt on a scoring chance from UMD. This forced the backup goaltender into the game, and perhaps gave the Bulldogs a new look and some new hope.

UMD got a golden opportunity with a powerplay chance at the 15:05 mark. They couldn't cash in during the extra-man advantage but at the 18:18 mark, Zam Plante collected his first UMD goal in his young career. The pass came from Dominic James and Jayson Shaugabay.

No more goals in regulation sent the teams to overtime in their season openers.

After three, UMD: 3, BSU: 3. The Bulldogs led the Beavers in shots, 35-22
Overtime

The all intense 3v3 overtime lived up to its reputation. With lots of space for the players to do their work, puck control becomes very important.

UMD had a couple of shots early in the overtime period but couldn't get one to the back of the net.

On Bemidji’s only shot of the OT period, captain Jackson Jutting ripped one in the top left corner to walk off the Bulldogs. The crowd went numb, besides the screaming of the players in green.

After OT, UMD: 3, BSU: 4. UMD finished with 40 shots while Bemidji only had 23.

SUNDAY

Less than 24 hours later, Duluth welcomed in the University of Manitoba Bison as the Bulldogs were looking forward to bounce back after a touch overtime loss on Saturday.

First Period

The Bulldogs were very eager to start off the game strong, keeping time of possession and firing shots at Manitoba’s goaltender Braden Holt. The Bulldogs had lots of scoring chances with 9 shots on net in the first 10 minutes of the game.

With a costly turnover at the blue line, Manitoba’s Eric Alarie had a breakaway and scored the first goal of the game making it 1-0 Manitoba. This was Manitoba’s second shot on net with 10 minutes remaining in the first.

With the Bulldogs looking for an answer they came up short in the period with two great chances from forwards Callum Arnott and Zam Plante. Manitoba held the 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.

UMD had 25 shots on goal in the first period compared to Manitoba’s 6.
Second Period

The Bulldogs came out of the second firing with a goal from Kyle Bettens just 42 seconds into the period. The Bulldogs finally got into their groove with their defense tightening gaps and getting sticks on pucks. A power play goal from senior Dominic James gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. Owen Gallatin and Kyle Bettens got assists for the goal.

The Bulldog offense turned it up this period and lit the lamp a total of three times in seven minutes. The goal to put Duluth up 3-1 was a beautiful snipe from Harper Bentz. The Sunday crowd was fully engaged with the Bulldogs performance. Moments later Junior forward Jack Smith grew the Bulldogs lead to 4-1.

The Bulldogs offense in the second period capitalized on their scoring chances from last period. A power play goal from Dominic James gave him his second goal of the game and that wrapped up the scoring parade from the Bulldogs giving them a 5-1 lead going into the last period.

Senior Dominic James skates towards the puck at Amsoil Arena. Photo by Grant Jones

Manitoba went scoreless and also got dominated by the shots on goal trailing in that department 46-16 to Duluth.
Third Period

Manitoba’s goaltender Braden Holt did not have any more fun in the third period. Just as the Bulldogs eclipsed their 50th shot on goal, Hermantown native Aaron Pionk whistled a beautiful wrister over Holt’s shoulder to give the Bulldogs a 6-1 margin.

After some tussling behind the net of Manitoba, Harper Bentz came out with a loose puck and center a pass to Anthony Menghini and he shelved it to make it 7-1 Bulldogs.

With 13 minutes to go in the game the Bulldogs already doubled the goals they scored from last game. With three minutes left, Manitoba’s Owen Wareham got an unassisted goal to wrap up the scoring for Manitoba.

Freshman Will Arnott and teammates celebrate a goal against The University of Manitoba at Amsoil arena. Photo by Elizabeth Gonnerman

The game came to an end as Duluth got a much needed 7-2 win with all types of players lighting up the stat sheet. UMD out-shot Manitoba 61-25 in this game and the Bulldogs look forward to a weekend in Massachusetts taking on the University of Massachusetts Lowell on Friday, Oct. 11, at 6:15 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 12, at 5:05 p.m.

UMD Men's Hockey Splits Their First Weekend of the 2024 Season