The Bulldogs of UMD are still looking for that 60 minute complete performance. It was certainly not to be found Saturday night against North Dakota. After slogging through 2 plus periods of sloppy, uninspired play, UMD turned it on and scored the game tying goal with 0:33 left in the third and the game winner 0:12 into overtime. Look out Randy Moss, this team also plays when it wants to play. OK, maybe that is likely not the case, but sure could seem that way.
Two nights in a row this past weekend, the Bulldogs played very well in parts and quite poorly in other parts. Now that the penalty problem seems to be solved, there is a new issue to tackle, urgency that all games count. Whether we are talking about WCHA points or posturing for NCAA consideration, they all count no matter the month on the calendar.
Coming off of the “Miracle at Mariucci” last March against Princeton, the Bulldogs have started a trend of “cardiac kids” syndrome. Take the two games against the Gophers last month in which both UMD wins, the Bulldogs trailed 2-0. Exciting, but not a habit that should be continued.
Rankings. With the split the University of Minnesota – Duluth Bulldogs are in a three-way tie for third place in the WCHA. UMD is unchanged at #12 in the USCHO poll and moved up one spot to #12 in the USA Today/USA Hockey poll. Inside College Hockey Power Ranking moved the Bulldogs down one spot to #14.
Next weekend's opponent and WCHA leader Denver is #1 in the INCH Power Rankings and #2 in USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey.
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