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 Men Shut Out Badgers

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The Bulldogs played their first official WCHA game, vs Wisconsin, at Amsoil Arena January 14, 2011 shutting out Wisconsin 2-0. UMD scored both their goals, on powerplays, in the first period. Justin Fontaine got UMD up 1-0 at 13:17 from David Grun and Mike Connolly, and Mike Connolly put the 'Dogs up 2-0 at 16:43 from Gun and Fontaine. Kenny Reiter, helped out by great defensive play by his team, got the shutout on 22 shots for UMD. Scott Gudmandson got the loss for the Badgers, stopped 25 of 27 shots he faced.

Mike Connolly loads up a wrist shot for his powerplay goal

Kenny Reiter stops Wisconsin’s Sean Dolan

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.

Bulldog Men’s Hockey Loses to Denver

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The Bulldogs battled back from 3-0 down, to take a 4-3 lead in the third period, but give up the lead, then lose 5-4 in Overtime vs Denver, November 3, 2010. Jason Zucker and Anthony Maiani each scored in the first period, giving Denver a 2-0 lead into the second period. Zucker scored his second goal 1:25 into the second period, which was answered by Jack Connolly just 7 seconds later. Wade Bergman cut the deficit to 3-2 when he buried the rebound of a Justin Fontaine shot off the post, that slipped across the crease under goaltender Sam Brittain. Mike Connolly evened the game at 3 at 16:05 of the second period, with a powerplay goal, and the teams went to the locker rooms tied at 3 after 2 periods. Kyle Schmidt gave UMD the lead 4-3, with a backhand shot that got through a defender and past Brittain at 15:02 of the third period. That lead was given up with 1:22 left in the third period when Zucker scored his third goal of the game, to send the game to overtime. At 3:02 of overtime, Denver's Drew Shore found himself wide open with the puck in from of Kenny Reiter and made no mistake, burying the game winner to the back of the net. Aaron Crandall started for UMD, stoppign 5 of 8 shots he faced, while Reiter stopped 12 of 14 he faced in relief of Crandall. Brittain stopped 29 of 33 Bulldog shots for the win.

Wade Bergman scores on the Fontaine rebound

Kyle Schmidt celebrates a goal

UMD Men’s Hockey Sweeps Alaska Anchorage

The UMD men's hockey team finished a series sweep of Alaska Anchorage with a 6-0 win on Saturday, October 23rd. Travis Oleksuk scored the first of his two goals, just 50 seconds into the first period, and that goal was the only goal of the period. Justin Fontaine gave UMD a 2-0 lead with a powerplay goal 3:43 into the second period, and Dan DeLisle scored his first career goal at 17:16. Kyle Schmidt added a goal in the third period, giving UMD a 4-0 lead. Oleksuk scored his second goal at 9:21, and DeLisle scored his second with 4 seconds left in the game to give UMD the final 6-0 score. Keegan Flaherty, and J.T. Brown each had two assists for the 'Dogs, while Oleksuk, Schmidt, Jack Connolly, Mike Connolly, and Mike Siedel each had solo assists. Aaron Crandall got the shutout for the 'Dogs, his second win of the season in as many starts.

Travis Oleksuk scored twice for the ‘Dogs Vs Anchorage

Dan DeLisle scores his first career goal, and would add a second goal later

I’m not shooting EVERY UMD men’s hockey game, but will shoot the occasional ‘Dogs game, especially when it’s a doubleheader day with the UMD women playing before.