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 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 Sweeps Michigan Tech

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On Saturday, UMD completed the sweep of Michigan Tech, with a 4-2 victory, behind two Justin Faulk powerplay goals in the second period. Mike Connolly got UMD an early lead, scoring 3:46 into the first period, but Tech's Ryan Furne answered that goal 1:56 later. Travis Oleksuk scored 1:58 into the second period, which again was answered by Tech, with Daniel Holmberg scoring at 5:10 of the period.

With UMD on a 5 on 3 powerplay, Justin Faulk scored his first of two goals at 13:17. After the goal Tech took another penalty, giving UMD more 5 on 3 powerplay time, which Faulk took advantage of again at 14:52 of the period to give UMD it's 4-2 final score. Kenny Reiter stopped 21 of 23 shots he faced, including some good scoring chances in the third period for the win.

Mike Connolly forechecks against Tech

Justin Fontaine

DECC Ice maintenance man Walt Bruley retired Saturday night, which included a ceremony celebrating Bruley’s years of service