BY JIMMY GILLIGAN | The Statesman THE GAME
It took 24 seconds for the No. 8 University of Nebraska Omaha to get on the scoreboard Friday night in Omaha.
It took No. 6 UMD over thirty minutes. Despite out-shooting UNO 47 to 28, the Bulldogs could not capitalize on scoring chances late in the game. A last minute empty netter from Duluth East product Jake Randolph sealed a 4-2 win for the Mavericks.
After UNO took the lead on a point blank chance in the opening minute, both teams traded penalties. The Mavericks then capitalized on a turnover in the offensive zone, pulling out to a 2-0 lead that UMD would not be able to overcome, despite out-shooting UNO 36 to 15 over the final two periods.
Austin Farley opened the scoring for the Bulldogs midway through the second, diving past UNO’s freshman goaltender Evan Weninger to hit home a rebound for the power play goal.
And after Nebraska Omaha regained their two goal lead, UMD’s Kyle Osterberg slapped home a rebound--also on the power play--to pull within one early in the third period. The Bulldogs then put offensive pressure on UNO with a power play opportunity and an extra attacker. But they were unable to find the back of the net.
THE TAKEAWAY
Without their leading scorer, Tony Cameranesi, the Bulldogs couldn't find the twine enough to top UNO, but it wasn't for a lack of offensive chances. In Cameranesi’s absence, UMD’s next two top scorers, Austin Farley and Kyle Osterberg, both notched their sixth points of the season, both on goals.
Nonetheless, UMD’s lack of offensive execution doomed their slow start against Mavericks, who never trailed in the game.
The loss is their first National Collegiate Hockey Conference loss of the season; it brings their record to 3-3-2 on the season, and 0-1 in NCHC play. UNO is now 3-0 at their brand new Baxter Arena.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed promise by notching two power play goals, their fifth and sixth of the season. Coming into Friday night’s matchup, the Bulldogs were 4 for 32 with the man advantage.
Like in last Friday night’s game, UMD outshot their opponent by a wide margin. Overall, they've outshot the opposition 297 to 223 in eight games this season. However, they have both scored and allowed 21 goals.
THREE KEY STATS
3. Though they weren't entirely his fault, the three goals allowed by Kasimir Kaskisuo tonight marks the fourth time in five games he has allowed at least 3 goals.
17. Even though they had 47 shots, UNO kept the Bulldogs off of the scoreboard by blocking 17 shots in tonight’s game.
36. After being outshot in the first period, The Bulldogs outshot the Mavericks 36 to 15 over the final two periods.
WAIT, WHAT?
The most surprising part of the night came not in UMD’s loss, but in No. 1 ranked North Dakota’s. They lost 3-1 to the unranked University of Wisconsin Badgers, who had just four wins last season.