UMD Men’s Hockey Thumps Bemidji 6-2

UMD fell behind Friday night, 2-0 on goals by Bemidji's Brad Hunt and Jordan George just 1:05 apart at 6:21 and 7:26. Wade Bergman got UMD back into the game 55 seconds later, at 8:21, when he skated in from the blue line to punch in a rebound after a flurry of attempts including a JT Brown shot point blank. Jack Connolly also got an assist on Bergman's first goal of the year. UMD used it's timeout at 12:34 of the second period, likely needing a quick breather after the Bergman goal then an unsuccessful powerplay. The quick break worked, as JT Brown scored at 13:24, putting a Chris Casto rebound into an open Bemidji net with goaltender Andrew Walsh trying to dive back to his net, to no avail.

Keegan Flaherty stuffed a rebound of his own shot past Walsh, at 8:15 of the second period, from Dan DeLisle, to give UMD a 3-2 lead, his 3rd goal of the season after 0 goals his first two Bulldog seasons. Casto then scored his first Bulldog goal, from Caleb Herbert and Justin Crandall at 9:32 of the period.

With the Bulldogs on cruise control in the third period, Brady Lamb scored at 7:11 from Travis Oleksuk and Jack Connolly, and Connolly scored his second of the season, from Bergman at 11:07 for the final 6-2 tally.

Kenny Reiter held his ground after the two Bemidji goals, stopping 15 of 17 total shots while Walsh stopped 34 of 40 Bulldog shots in the loss.

UMD Bulldog Men Beat Team USA U-18’s 4-1

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The Bulldog men got their first Amsoil Arena win, albeit in an exhibition game with the U-18 Team USA national team. The Bulldogs faced UMD goaltending recruit Matt McNeely and gave him a solid test, putting 46 shots on their future teammate. David Grun, Jack Connolly, Keegan Flaherty, and Jake Hendrickson scored the Bulldog goals in the 4-1 victory, that gave Bulldog fans a chance to cheer in Amsoil Arena after being shutout by North Dakota in the Arena Grand Opening. UMD's first real WCHA series in Amsoil Arena occurs vs Wisconsin January 14-15.

Keegan Flaherty puts a shot on McNeely

UMD Hockey Earns Split Vs Denver Pioneers

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On Saturday, December 4th, the Bulldogs gained a split in the series with Denver, winning 2-1 before a crowd of over 5400, there to see the final Men's game at the DECC Arena. Justin Faulk got the Bulldogs the lead, with a powerplay goal at 15:22, assisted by Justin Fontaine and Mike Seidel. Mike Connolly gave UMD a 2-0 lead with a huge individual effort, making good on his second shorthanded breakaway in the same shift, with a wrist shot to the far corner of the net past goaltender Brittain. Denver made it interesting, finally getting on the board on Anthony Maiani's goal at 8:25. Kenny Reiter kept Denver scoreless the final 11:35 of the period to secure the series split for UMD.

Kenny Reiter uses his noggin to make the first save of the night

UMD’s Jack Connolly

Hoagie gives the final men’s hockey stick salute at the DECC Arena.  Amsoil Arena opens December 30th when the UMD Men take on North Dakota.

UMD Hockey Rallies Against Michigan Tech

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For the first 39 minutes on Friday, UMD peppered Michigan Tech goaltender Josh Robinson with shot after shot but couldn't put the puck behind him. Tech had a 2-0 lead on first period goals by Brett Olson and Milos Gordic. At 19:04 of the second period, Justin Fontaine finally got the 'Dogs on the board, getting through the Tech defenses to bury the rebound of a Justin Faulk shot from the circle. The spark from that goal carried to the third period, when Fontaine scored again, on a shorthanded hustle, diving to the puck and sweeping it through Robinson's 5-hole as he came out to try and challenge the puck. Jack Connolly, Joe Basaraba (his first career goal), and Dan Delisle the each scored in the next 7:16 for the 'Dogs, giving them a 5-2 lead. Olson scored again for Tech at 18:11 of the third but the UMD lead was too much. UMD outshot Michigan Tech 47-17 for the game, and Tech never had more than 7 shots in any period. Wade Bergman had two assists while Jack & Mike Connolly, Justin Faulk, Mike Montgomery, Keegan Flaherty, and Mike Seidel each added a solo assist for the 'Dogs.

Justin Faulk controls the puck in the zone

Justin Fontaine starts a dive to the puck

Fontaine swept the puck through Robinson’s legs for the game tying goal

Joe Basaraba lets a slapshot go, that beat Robinson for his first career goal