Bulldogs Tangle With Gophers

 After Taking a Year Off, In-Staters Resume Meetings

Back again and looking to make more memories of good games are Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota Twin Cities. Last year's lack of non-conference games makes these first weekends sweeter as UMD played Bemidji State again and now get to see UMTC up close and personal. 

Personal is it? Is it too much of a stretch to think that the eyes of Saint Cloud will be on the Gophers this weekend? Probably not and maybe even some gopher voodoo dolls may be in use after the game last weekend in Saint Cloud. The Gophers benefitted from a huge non-call in OT that helped them put the game away. It is not a stretch at all to know that Huskies fans will take more pleasure in every Gopher loss this year even it is at the hands of an NCHC rival in UMD.

Results and Schedules. The NCHC has a very nice non-conference record so far this season at 22-10-2 (0.676), but the Big Ten has been the best in the NCAA with a record of 22-7-0 (0.759). 

That all said, this weekend's teams have gotten to their records is different ways. Both the Gophers and Bulldogs have 3-1-0 records, but the Gophers have the 26th SOS (strength of schedule) and the Bulldogs have the 3rd ranked SOS.

Just the Stats.

Bulldogs and CollegeHockeyHH: Back Again for 2021-22

 The Long Hiatus of "Normal" is Over

A return is here. The normal return of college hockey in the fall is here. The more scintillating return is that of the fans to college hockey arenas around the country. It has been a long wait and fans have been as patient as can be, but the time is now. 

So when fans return, what will they see from their favorite squads? Players have not stopped and the product on the ice is expected to the the same as any other fall. Some rust maybe, but that is the way the any regular fall season goes.

Comings and Goings. Due to the unusual times we are in, there are many very familiar faces returning. The fifth year COVID option is being taken up by some successful and household names for UMD: Kobe Roth, Koby Bender, Louie Roehl, and Matt Anderson. Those players coming back will make this more of a push ahead season than a circle back to move forward season.

Old but New. UMD is expecting big things from transfer Casey Gilling who used to be on the opposite side a couple times per year while playing for Miami. With Gilling taking a center position, Noah Cates can move back to wing, his more natural position.

Who is the Starter? Still waiting on the announcement of the starting netminder for the Bulldogs in this season opener after all three goalies saw time in the exhibition game against Wisconsin. UMD has a good tandem of Zach Stejskal and Ryan Fanti who teamed up together for the memorable win against North Dakota in the NCAA Regional Final last season.